No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

LUKE 16:13KJV
Know the Bible

Luke 16:13 (KJV)

What does Luke 16:13 mean?

Luke 16:13 says that a person cannot truly serve two masters at the same time, because their loyalties will eventually be divided. Specifically, Jesus says it is impossible to serve both God and "mammon" (a word for wealth or money), since devotion to one will lead to neglect or even rejection of the other.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to his disciples, but the Pharisees and others are listening as well. The setting is a discussion about faithfulness and trustworthiness, especially in handling money and resources. Jesus uses the image of a servant and two masters to make clear that trying to split loyalty between God and wealth is not just difficult, but impossible—the heart will inevitably choose one over the other.

The Greek behind Luke 16:13

  • "μαμωνᾶς" (mamōnas): This word, transliterated as "mammon," refers to wealth, riches, or material possessions. Jesus personifies wealth as a rival master, showing that money can demand loyalty much like a person would.
  • "δουλεύειν" (douleuein): This verb means "to serve as a slave" or "to be wholly devoted to." The word choice emphasizes total commitment, not just casual service, making the contrast between serving God and serving wealth even sharper.
  • "καταφρονήσει" (kataphronēsei): This means "to despise" or "to treat with contempt." Jesus is saying that trying to serve both will not result in balanced respect, but in actual disregard for one of the masters.

Why Luke 16:13 matters

  • Luke 16:13 clears up the idea that people can balance devotion to God and the pursuit of wealth without conflict; Jesus insists that true loyalty cannot be divided.
  • The verse highlights the personal, almost relational way Jesus describes the pull of money, treating it as a master that competes for a person's heart.
  • This teaching fits into the wider passage, where Jesus warns about the dangers of greed and challenges listeners to consider what they are truly living for.

Where else these words appear

“hold” Greek G472 · used in 4 verses

  • Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
  • Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

“mammon” Greek G3126 · used in 4 verses

  • Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
  • Luke 16:9 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.
  • Luke 16:11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

“servant” Greek G3610 · used in 5 verses

  • Acts 10:7 And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;
  • Romans 14:4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
  • Philemon 1:25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. Written from Rome to Philemon, by Onesimus a servant.

“despise” Greek G2706 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
  • Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
  • 1 Timothy 6:2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.