Luke 16:2 (KJV)

What does Luke 16:2 mean?

Luke 16:2 describes a rich man calling his manager to answer for his handling of the man’s property. The manager must give an account, and his position is coming to an end. The verse sets up the urgent choice the manager faces in the story Jesus is telling.

The rich man’s question follows a report that the manager has been wasting his possessions. “Give an account” pictures a person responsible for someone else’s affairs being asked to explain how those affairs have been managed. The order places the manager’s past actions under scrutiny while also confronting him with the loss of his work.

The Greek behind Luke 16:2

• “account” — λόγος (logos): This word can mean a statement or explanation. Here, the Greek carries the sense of a report on the manager’s handling of the property.
• “stewardship” — οἰκονομία (oikonomia): This word refers to the management of a household or its affairs. In the story, the manager’s responsibility includes dealing with people who owe his master money.

Why Luke 16:2 matters

• The rich man’s question comes in response to a report. “How is it that I hear this of thee?” shows that someone has brought the manager’s conduct to his attention.
• The manager’s loss of position drives what happens next. In verse 3, he considers what he can do when his master takes the stewardship away.
• The instruction to account for the property makes sense of the later dealings with debtors. In verses 5–7, the manager calls in people who owe his master goods and reduces the amounts written on their bills.