So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord?

LUKE 16:5KJV
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Luke 16:5 (KJV)

What does Luke 16:5 mean?

Luke 16:5 describes how the steward in Jesus’ parable calls in each person who owes a debt to his master and asks the first debtor how much he owes. This sets up the steward’s plan to deal with the debts, showing his active role in managing his master’s accounts.

In this scene, Jesus is telling a story about a steward (a manager) who is about to lose his job for wasting his master’s goods. The steward, knowing he will be dismissed, summons each debtor to discuss what they owe. This moment is the beginning of his attempt to secure his own future by adjusting the debts, which unfolds in the following verses.

The Greek behind Luke 16:5

  • The word for “debtors” is χρεοφειλέτης (chreopheiletēs), which specifically means someone who owes a debt. This highlights that the people summoned are not just any associates, but those with financial obligations to the master.
  • The word for “called” is προσκαλέω (proskaleō), which means to summon or invite. The steward is taking deliberate action, not just passively waiting for events.
  • The phrase “How much owest thou unto my lord?” uses the Greek word ὀφείλω (opheilō), meaning “to owe,” emphasizing the specific amounts and the seriousness of the debts.

Why Luke 16:5 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the steward is not acting randomly; he is methodically calling each debtor, showing intentionality and urgency in his actions.
  • Understanding that the steward addresses each debtor individually helps explain the following verses, where he negotiates with them one by one.
  • The verse sets the stage for the lesson Jesus will draw from the steward’s actions, making it clear that the steward’s choices are calculated and purposeful.

Where else these words appear

“debtors” Greek G5533 · used in 2 verses

  • Luke 7:41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.

“much” Greek G4214 · used in 27 verses

  • Matthew 6:23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
  • Mark 6:38 He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes.
  • Luke 15:17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

“called” Greek G4341 · used in 30 verses

  • Matthew 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
  • Mark 7:14 And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:
  • Acts 5:40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

“thou” Greek G3784 · used in 35 verses

  • Matthew 18:28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
  • Acts 17:29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.
  • 2 Corinthians 12:14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.