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Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Luke 16:1

CHAPTER XVI.

The parable of the unjust steward, 1-8.

Christ applies this to his hearers, 9-13.

The pharisees take offence, 14.

Our Lord reproves them, and shows the immutability of the law,

15-17.

Counsels against divorce, 18.

The story of the rich man and the beggar, commonly called

Dives and Lazarus, 10-31.

NOTES ON CHAP. XVI.

Verse Luke 16:1. A steward] οικονομος, from οικος, a house, or οικια, a family, and νεμω, I administer; one who superintends domestic concerns, and ministers to the support of the family, having the products of the field, business, c., put into his hands for this very purpose. Luke 8:3.

There is a parable very like this in Rab. Dav. Kimchi's comment on Isaiah, Isaiah 40:21: "The whole world may be considered as a house builded up: heaven is its roof the stars its lamps; and the fruits of the earth, the table spread. The owner and builder of this house is the holy blessed God; and man is the steward, into whose hands all the business of the house is committed. If he considers in his heart that the master of the house is always over him, and keeps his eye upon his work; and if, in consequence, he act wisely, he shall find favour in the eyes of the master of the house: but if the master find wickedness in him, he will remove him, מן יפקדתו min pakidato, from his STEWARDSHIP. The foolish steward doth not think of this: for as his eyes do not see the master of the house, he saith in his heart, 'I will eat and drink what I find in this house, and will take my pleasure in it; nor shall I be careful whether there be a Lord over this house or not.' When the Lord of the house marks this, he will come and expel him from the house, speedily and with great anger. Therefore it is written, He bringeth the princes to nothing." As is usual, our Lord has greatly improved this parable, and made it in every circumstance more striking and impressive. Both in the Jewish and Christian edition, it has great beauties.

Wasted his goods.] Had been profuse and profligate; and had embezzled his master's substance.

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