Luke 16:15

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Luke 16:14-15

Luke 16:14-15. The Pharisees, who were covetous Of a very worldly spirit; heard all these things Namely, concerning the true use of riches, and the impossibility of men’s serving God and mammon at the same time; and they derided him As a visionary, who despised the riches, honours, and pleasures of life for no other reason but because he could not procure them. The original word, εξεμυκτηριζον , is very emphatical, signifying, they mocked him, by a scornful motion of the mouth and... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Luke 16:1-17

103. The shrewd manager (Luke 16:1-17)This story was told not to the Pharisees but to the disciples of Jesus. It concerned a shrewd businessman whom the owner of a business appointed as manager. In this business, dealings were made by exchange of goods rather than payment of money, a practice that enabled the manager to cheat the owner. When the owner found out, he decided to dismiss him (Luke 16:1-2).The manager then thought of a plan to ensure help from his business friends after his... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Luke 16:15

unto them . Addressed to the Pharisees. See the Structure "R" and "R", p. 1479. justify yourselves . See notes on Luke 15:7 , Luke 15:29 ; and Compare Luke 7:39 . Matthew 23:25 . among . Greek. en. App-104 . abomination. In contrast with their derision. in the sight of . Same word as "before" in preceding clause. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Luke 16:15

And he said unto them, Ye are they that justify yourselves in the sight of men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.The men Jesus addressed here "tended to connect earthly prosperity and goodness. Wealth was a sign that a man was a good man."[28] However, mere material prosperity, unsanctified by spiritual motivation and consciousness of stewardship under God, is here called an abomination in the sight of God. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Luke 16:15

15. justify yourselves—make a show of righteousness. highly esteemed among men—generally carried away by plausible appearances. (See 1 Samuel 16:7; Luke 14:11). read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 16:14-15

Jesus rebuked His critics for their hypocrisy. They were able to explain their covetous practices to the Jews to their own satisfaction. Probably they reasoned that any wealth that they could accumulate was a sign of God’s blessing on them. This was a common misinterpretation of the law in Jesus’ day, as it is in ours. Their ostentatious display when giving alms may have been part of this hypocrisy too (cf. Matthew 6:2-4), but God was their real judge, and He knew their greedy hearts (cf. 1... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 16:14-31

2. Jesus’ rebuke of the Pharisees for their greed 16:14-31The Pharisees, who where listening to Jesus’ instructions to His disciples, scoffed at Him, because they tried to serve both God and mammon (Luke 16:13). They tried to appear pious and at the same time accumulate all the wealth they could (cf. Luke 20:47). Jesus therefore addressed their greed (cf. 2 Timothy 3:2).The importance of submission to God’s Word 16:14-18Jesus’ began His response to the Pharisees’ rejection of His teaching by... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 16:1-31

The Unjust Steward. The Rich Man and Lazarus1-13. Parable of the Unjust Steward (peculiar to Lk). The details of this somewhat difficult parable are probably not significant. It is intended to illustrate the proper use of wealth. Christians should use it so well here on earth, by expending it not selfishly on their own pleasures, but unselfishly for the good of others, and for the advancement of God’s kingdom, that instead of hindering them from reaching heaven, it will help them to enter... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Luke 16:15

(15) Ye are they which justify yourselves before men.—The character described is portrayed afterwards more fully in the parable of Luke 18:9-14. The word there used, “this man went down to his house justified rather than the other,” is obviously a reference to what is reported here. They forgot, in their self-righteousness and self-vindication, that they stood before God as the Searcher of all hearts.That which is highly esteemed among men . . .—Literally, that which is high, or lifted up,... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Luke 16:1-31

The Unjust Steward Luke 16:2 We call this parable the Parable of the Unjust Steward i.e. a fraudulent, dishonest steward and such undoubtedly he did become; but not deliberately dishonest up to the time when his lord called him suddenly to account. He was accused to his lord that he had wasted his goods; not a purposed and continued fraud, but a long-continued faithlessness to his trust. He had forgotten that he was the trustee for his lord's possessions, and he had lived on neglecting plain... read more

Group of Brands