King James Version

What Does Luke 16:7 Mean?

Luke 16:7 in the King James Version says “Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take ...” — study this verse from Luke chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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”

Luke 16:7 · KJV

Context

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.

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. mammon: or, riches

Read Luke 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. The steward continues his strategy with a second debtor, who owes "a hundred measures" (ἑκατ�ὸν κόρους, hekaton korous) of wheat—approximately 1,000 bushels or 10-12 tons, representing the yield of about 100 acres. This reduction is smaller proportionally—from 100 to 80, a 20% decrease versus the 50% oil reduction—possibly reflecting different commission structures on different commodities or the relative values of oil versus grain. Regardless, both reductions represent substantial debt forgiveness creating grateful beneficiaries.

The pattern is identical: the debtor himself rewrites the contract (γράψον, grapson, "write!"), ensuring legal validity and personal complicity. The steward multiplies his future security by creating multiple grateful debtors who will feel honor-bound to provide hospitality when he's unemployed. Jesus' application (v. 8) commends not the steward's ethics but his shrewdness (φρονίμως, phronimōs, "wisely" or "prudently")—he used earthly resources to secure future benefit. Believers should show similar wisdom: use money, time, and influence not merely for temporal comfort but to create eternal relationships and rewards (v. 9: "make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations").

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Historical & Cultural Context

Wheat was the primary grain crop in Palestine, more valuable than barley but less expensive than olive oil. The amounts mentioned indicate major agricultural debt—tenant farmers might accumulate such obligations over multiple growing seasons. The 20% reduction on wheat versus 50% on oil may reflect actual first-century lending practices where different commodities had different built-in commission rates. The cultural principle remains: the steward creates beneficiaries who owe him gratitude, ensuring his future security through present generosity (albeit with resources not entirely his own—hence the ethical ambiguity Jesus doesn't directly address).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the steward's creation of multiple grateful beneficiaries illustrate the principle of investing in relationships with eternal significance?
  2. What does this parable teach about the strategic use of earthly resources for heavenly outcomes rather than merely temporal accumulation?
  3. In practical terms, how can Christians use their wealth to 'make friends' who will 'receive them into everlasting habitations' (v. 9)?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 23 words
ἔπειτα1 of 23

“Then”

G1899

thereafter

ἑτέρῳ2 of 23

“to another”

G2087

(an-, the) other or different

εἶπεν3 of 23

“he said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

Σὺ4 of 23

“thou”

G4771

thou

δὲ5 of 23

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

πόσον6 of 23

“how much”

G4214

interrogative pronoun (of amount) how much (large, long or (plural) many)

ὀφείλεις7 of 23

“owest”

G3784

to owe (pecuniarily); figuratively, to be under obligation (ought, must, should); morally, to fail in duty

ὁ8 of 23
G3588

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

δὲ9 of 23

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

εἶπεν10 of 23

“he said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

Ἑκατὸν11 of 23

“An hundred”

G1540

a hundred

κόρους12 of 23

“measures”

G2884

a cor, i.e., a specific measure

σίτου13 of 23

“of wheat”

G4621

grain, especially wheat

καὶ14 of 23

“And”

G2532

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

λέγει15 of 23

“he said”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

αὐτῷ16 of 23

“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

Δέξαι17 of 23

“Take”

G1209

to receive (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

σου18 of 23

“thy”

G4675

of thee, thy

τὸ19 of 23
G3588

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

γράμμα,20 of 23

“bill”

G1121

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

καὶ21 of 23

“And”

G2532

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

γράψον22 of 23

“write”

G1125

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

ὀγδοήκοντα23 of 23

“fourscore”

G3589

ten times eight

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 16:7 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 16:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 20:9Luke 20:12Song of Solomon 8:11-12

Test Your Knowledge

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