King James Version

What Does Luke 16:6 Mean?

Luke 16:6 in the King James Version says “And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty. mea...” — study this verse from Luke chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty. measures: the word Batus in the original containeth nine gallons three quarts”

Luke 16:6 · KJV

Context

4

I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.

5

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

6

And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty. measures: the word Batus in the original containeth nine gallons three quarts

7

Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore. measures: the word here interpreted a measure in the original containeth about fourteen bushels and two quarts

8

And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.

Read Luke 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty. The first debtor owes "a hundred measures" (ἑκατὸν βάτους, hekaton batous) of olive oil—approximately 875 gallons, representing the production of about 150 olive trees or substantial commercial quantity. The steward's command is decisive: "Take thy bill" (δέξαι σου τὰ γράμματα, dexai sou ta grammata, literally "receive your contract"), "sit down quickly" (καθίσας ταχέως, kathisas tacheōs, emphasizing speed and urgency), and "write fifty" (γράψον πεντήκοντα, grapson pentēkonta)—a 50% reduction.

The urgency—"quickly" (ταχέως, tacheōs)—reveals the steward's awareness that his window of authority is closing. He must act before his dismissal becomes public and his authority evaporates. The debtor himself rewrites the contract (γράψον, grapson, imperative "write!"), making him complicit and ensuring gratitude. This detail illustrates Jesus' point: use present resources urgently and strategically before opportunity ends. For believers, life is brief, death is certain, Christ's return is imminent—we must act now to invest earthly resources for eternal dividends. The steward's shrewdness lies not in his ethics but in his recognition of crisis and decisive action while time remains.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Olive oil was a staple commodity in ancient Palestine—used for cooking, lighting, anointing, and religious ritual. The amounts mentioned indicate commercial-scale debt, likely involving tenant farmers or merchants. Written contracts (γράμματα, grammata) were standard for significant transactions. By having the debtor rewrite the bill himself, the steward creates a legally binding document that reduces the obligation. Whether this represents the steward forgiving his own commission or defrauding his master is debated, but the cultural impact is clear—the debtor receives enormous financial relief and becomes indebted to the steward personally.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the steward's urgent action 'quickly' challenge believers to act decisively with their resources before opportunity passes?
  2. What 'contracts' or commitments might God be calling you to revise in light of eternal priorities?
  3. In what ways does this passage illustrate the principle that temporary earthly resources can be converted into eternal spiritual capital?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 18 words
ὁ1 of 18
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ2 of 18

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

εἶπεν3 of 18

“he said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

Ἑκατὸν4 of 18

“An hundred”

G1540

a hundred

βάτους5 of 18

“measures”

G943

a bath, or measure for liquids

ἐλαίου6 of 18

“of oil”

G1637

olive oil

καὶ7 of 18

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

εἶπεν8 of 18

“he said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

αὐτῷ9 of 18

“unto him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Δέξαι10 of 18

“Take”

G1209

to receive (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

σου11 of 18

“thy”

G4675

of thee, thy

τὸ12 of 18
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γράμμα,13 of 18

“bill”

G1121

a writing, i.e., a letter, note, epistle, book, etc.; plural learning

καὶ14 of 18

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

καθίσας15 of 18

“sit down”

G2523

to seat down, i.e., set (figuratively, appoint); intransitively, to sit (down); figuratively, to settle (hover, dwell)

ταχέως16 of 18

“quickly”

G5030

briefly, i.e., (in time) speedily, or (in manner) rapidly

γράψον17 of 18

“and write”

G1125

to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe

πεντήκοντα18 of 18

“fifty”

G4004

fifty

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 16:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 16:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Titus 2:10Luke 16:12Luke 16:9

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