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.