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Luke 16
Luke 16:1
Connecting Statement:
Jesus begins telling another parable. It is about a master and the manager of his debtors. This is still the same part of the story and the same day that began in Luke 15:3. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parables)
Jesus also said to the disciples
The last section was directed at Pharisees and scribes, though Jesus's disciples may have been part of the crowd listening.
There was a certain rich man
This introduces a new character in the parable. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-participants)
it was reported to him
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "people reported to the rich man" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
wasting his possessions
"foolishly managing the rich man's wealth"
Luke 16:2
What is this that I hear about you?
The rich man uses a question to scold the manager. Alternate translation: "I have heard what you are doing." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
Give an account of your management
"Set your records in order to pass on to someone else" or "Prepare the records you have written about my money"
Luke 16:3
What should I do ... job?
The manager asks this question of himself, as a means of reviewing his options. Alternate translation: "I need to think about what I should do ... job." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
my master
This refers to the wealthy man. The manager was not a slave. Alternate translation: "my employer"
I do not have strength to dig
"I am not strong enough to dig the ground" or "I am not able to dig"
Luke 16:4
when I am removed from my management job
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "when I lose my management job" or "when my master takes away my management job" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
people will welcome me into their houses
This implies that those people will provide a job, or other things that he needs to live. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Luke 16:5
his master's debtors
"the people who were in debt to his master" or "the people who owed things to his master." In this story the debtors owed olive oil and wheat.
Luke 16:6
He said ... He said to him
"The debtor said ... The manager said to the debtor"
A hundred baths of olive oil ... fifty
A bath is about 22 liters. Alternate translation: "I owe 2,200 liters of olive oil ... 1,100 liters" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-bvolume)
hundred ... fifty
"100 ... 50" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-numbers)
Take your bill
A "bill" is a piece of paper that tells how much someone owes.
Luke 16:7
the manager said to another ... He said ... He said to him
"the manager said to another debtor ... The debtor said ... The manager said to the debtor"
A hundred cors of wheat
A cor is about 220 liters. You may convert this to a modern measure. Alternate translation: "I owe 22,000 liters of wheat" or "I owe one hundred large baskets of wheat" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-bvolume)
write eighty
"write eighty cors of wheat." You may convert this to a modern measure. Alternate translation: "write 17,600 liters of wheat" or "write eighty large baskets of wheat" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-bvolume)
eighty
"80" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-numbers)
Luke 16:8
Connecting Statement:
Jesus finishes telling the parable about the master and the manager of his debtors. In verse 9, Jesus continues to teach his disciples.
The master then commended
The text does not say how the master learned of the manager's action.
commended
"praised" or "spoke well of" or "approved of"
he had acted shrewdly
"he had acted cleverly" or "he had done a sensible thing"
the sons of this world
This refers to those who, like the unrighteous manager, do not know or care about God. Alternate translation: "the people of this world" or "worldly people"
the sons of light
Here "light" is a metaphor for everything godly. Alternate translation: "the people of God" or "godly people" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Luke 16:9
I say to you
"I" refers to Jesus. The phrase "I say to you" marks the end of the story and now Jesus tells the people how to apply the story to their lives.
make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth
The focus here is on using the money to help other people. Alternate translation: "make people your friends by helping them with worldly wealth"
by means of unrighteous wealth
Possible meanings are 1) Jesus uses hyperbole when he calls money "unrighteous" because it has no eternal value. Alternate translation: "by using money, which has no eternal value" or "by using worldly money" or 2) Jesus uses metonymy when he calls money "unrighteous" because people sometimes earn it or use it in unrighteous ways. Alternate translation: "by using even money that you earned dishonestly" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-hyperbole)
they may welcome
Possible meanings are 1) "the friends you helped with your money may welcome" or 2) "God and his angels may welcome"
eternal dwellings
This refers to heaven, where God lives.
Luke 16:10
He who is faithful ... is also faithful ... he who is unrighteous ... is also unrighteous
"People who are faithful ... are also faithful ... people who are unrighteous ... are also unrighteous." This would include women. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-gendernotations)
faithful in very little
"faithful even with small things." Make sure this does not sound like they are not very faithful.
unrighteous in very little
"unrighteous even in small things." Make sure this does not sound like they are not often unrighteous.
Luke 16:11
unrighteous wealth
See how you translated this in Luke 16:9. Possible meanings are 1) Jesus uses metonymy when he calls money "unrighteous" because people sometimes earn it or use it in unrighteous ways. Alternate translation: "even money that you earned dishonestly" or 2) Jesus uses hyperbole when he calls money "unrighteous" because it has no eternal value. Alternate translation: "money, which has no eternal value" or "by using worldly money" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-hyperbole)
who will trust you with true wealth?
Jesus uses a question to teach the people. Alternate translation: "no one will trust you with true wealth." or "no one will give you true wealth to manage." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
true wealth
This refers to wealth that is more genuine, real, or lasting than money.
Luke 16:12
who will give you money of your own?
Jesus uses this question to teach the people. Alternate translation: "no one will give you wealth for yourself." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
Luke 16:13
No servant can
"A servant cannot"
serve two masters
It is implied that he cannot "serve two different masters at the same time"
for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other
These two clauses are essentially the same. The only significant difference is that the first master is hated in the first case, but the second master is hated in the second case.
he will hate
"the servant will hate"
be devoted to one
"love one very strongly"
despise the other
"hold the other in contempt" or "hate the other"
despise
This means essentially the same as "hate" in the previous clause.
You cannot serve
Jesus was talking to a group of people, so languages that have a plural form of "you" would use that. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-you)
Luke 16:14
General Information:
This is a break in Jesus teachings, as verse 14 tells us background information about how the Pharisees ridiculed Jesus. In verse 15, Jesus continues teaching and responds to the Pharisees. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-background)
Now
This word marks a shift to the background information.
who were lovers of money
"who loved having money" or "who where very greedy for money"
they ridiculed him
"the Pharisees ridiculed Jesus"
Luke 16:15
He said to them
"And Jesus said to the Pharisees"
You justify yourselves in the sight of men
"You make yourselves look good to other people"
God knows your hearts
Here "hearts" refers to the desires of people. Alternate translation: "God understands your true desires" or "God knows your motives" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
That which is exalted among men is detestable in the sight of God
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Those things that men think are very important are things that God hates" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Luke 16:16
The law and the prophets
This refers to all of God's word that had been written up to that time.
were in effect
"had authority" or "were what people needed to obey"
John came
This refers to John the Baptist. Alternate translation: "John the Baptist came" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
the gospel of the kingdom of God is preached
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "I am teaching people about the good news of the kingdom of God" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
everyone tries to force their way into it
This refers to the people who were listening to and accepting the teaching of Jesus. Alternate translation: "many people are doing everything they can to enter it"
Luke 16:17
it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one stroke of a letter of the law to become invalid
This contrast could be stated in the reverse order. Alternate translation: "even the smallest stroke of the letter of the law will last longer than heaven and earth will exist"
than for one stroke of a letter
A "stroke" is the smallest part of a letter. It refers to something in the law that may seem to be insignificant. Alternate translation: "than for even the smallest detail of the law" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
become invalid
"disappear" or "cease to exist"
Luke 16:18
Everyone who divorces his wife
"Anyone who divorces his wife" or "Any man who divorces his wife"
commits adultery
"is guilty of adultery"
he who marries one
"any man who marries a woman"
Luke 16:19
General Information:
These verses give background information about the story Jesus begins to tell about the rich man and Lazarus. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-background)
Connecting Statement:
As Jesus continues teaching the people he begins to tell a story. It is about a rich man and Lazarus.
Now
This marks a shift in Jesus's speech as he begins to tell a story that will help people understand what he was teaching them.
a certain rich man
This phrase introduces a person in Jesus's story. It is not clear if this is a real person or if it is simply a person in a story that Jesus tells in order to make a point. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-participants)
who was clothed in purple and fine linen
"who wore clothing made with fine linen and purple dye" or "who wore very expensive clothes." Purple dye and fine linen cloth were very expensive.
was enjoying every day his great wealth
"enjoyed eating expensive food every day" or "continued to spend much money, buying whatever he desired"
Luke 16:20
A certain beggar named Lazarus was laid at his gate
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "People had laid a certain beggar named Lazarus at his gate" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive and rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)
A certain beggar named Lazarus
This phrase introduces another person in Jesus's story. It is not clear if this is a real person or simply a person in a story that Jesus tells in order to make a point. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-participants)
at his gate
"at the gate to the rich man's house" or "at the entrance to the rich man's property"
covered with sores
"with sores all over his body"
Luke 16:21
longing to eat what fell
"wishing he could eat the scraps of food that fell"
Even the dogs came
The word "Even" here shows that what follows is worse than what has already been told about Lazarus. Alternate translation: "In addition to that, the dogs came" or "Worse yet, the dogs came"
dogs
The Jews considered dogs to be unclean animals. Lazarus was too sick and weak to stop the dogs from licking his wounds.
Luke 16:22
It came about that
This phrase is used here to mark an event in the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-newevent)
was carried away by the angels
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "the angels carried him away" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
to Abraham's side
This implies that Abraham and Lazarus were reclining next to each other at a feast, which was a customary style of feasting. The joy in heaven is often represented in the scriptures by the idea of a feast. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
was buried
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "people buried him" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Luke 16:23
at his side
This implies that Abraham and Lazarus were reclining next to each other at a feast, which was the customary style of feasting. The joy in heaven is often represented in the scriptures by the idea of a feast. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
in Hades, being in torment
"he went to Hades, where, suffering in terrible pain"
he lifted up his eyes
This idiom means "he looked up" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
Luke 16:24
he cried out and said
"the rich man called out to say" or "he shouted out to Abraham"
Father Abraham
Abraham was the ancestor of all the Jews, including the rich man.
have mercy on me
"please have pity on me" or "please be merciful to me"
and send Lazarus
"by sending Lazarus" or "and tell Lazarus to come to me"
he may dip the tip of his finger
This indicates the smallness of the amount requested. Alternate translation: "he may wet the tip of his finger"
I am in anguish in this flame
"I am in terrible pain in this flame" or "I am suffering terribly in this fire"
Luke 16:25
Child
The rich man was one of Abraham's descendants.
good things
"fine things" or "pleasant things"
in like manner evil things
"in like manner received evil things" or "in like manner received things that caused him to suffer"
in like manner
This refers the fact that they both received something while they lived on earth. It is not saying that what they received was the same. Alternate translation: "while he was living received"
he is comforted here
"he is comfortable here" or "he is happy here"
in agony
"suffering"
Luke 16:26
Besides all this
"In addition to this reason"
a great chasm has been put in place
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God has placed a huge ravine between you and us" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
a great chasm
"a steep, deep and wide valley" or "a big separation" or "a huge ravine"
those who want to cross over ... cannot
"those people who want to cross over the chasm ... cannot" or "if anyone wants to cross over ... he cannot"
Luke 16:27
General Information:
This page has intentionally been left blank.
Luke 16:28
in order that he may warn them
"so that Lazarus may warn them"
this place of torment
"this place where we suffer torment" or "this place where we suffer terrible pain"
Luke 16:29
They have Moses and the prophets
It is implied that Abraham refused to send Lazarus to the rich man's brothers. This could be stated. Alternate translation: "No, I will not do that, because your brothers have what Moses and the prophets wrote long ago" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Moses and the prophets
This refers to their writings. Alternate translation: "what Moses and the prophets wrote" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
let them listen to them
"your brothers should pay attention to Moses and the prophets"
Luke 16:30
if someone would go to them from the dead
The rich man would like this to happen. Alternate translation: "if a person who has died would go to them" or "if someone who has died would go and warn them"
from the dead
The expression "the dead" describes all dead people together in the underworld. Alternate translation: "from among all those who have died"
Luke 16:31
Connecting Statement:
Jesus finishes telling the story about the rich man and Lazarus.
If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets
Here "Moses and the prophets" represent the things that they wrote. Alternate translation: "If they do not pay attention to what Moses and the prophets wrote" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
neither will they be persuaded if someone rises from the dead
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "neither will a person who comes back from the dead be able to convince them" or "they will not believe even if a person comes back from the dead" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
rises from the dead
The words "the dead" speak of all dead people together in the underworld. To rise from among them is to become alive again.