Luke 16

Passage overview

John 16 is part of Jesus’ final instructions to His disciples. It is structured around a scene in which He comforts them and plants new hope in them during the moments of suffering and parting. This chapter can be divided into warnings about persecution (verses 1–4), the coming of the Holy Spirit and His role (verses 5–15), parting for a little while and joy (verses 16–24), and declarations of faith and victory (verses 25–33).

1verseHe also said to his disciples, “There was a certain rich man who had a manager. An accusation was made to him that this man was wasting his possessions.

2verseHe called him, and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Give an accounting of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’

3verse“The manager said within himself, ‘What will I do, seeing that my lord is taking away the management position from me? I don’t have strength to dig. I am ashamed to beg.

4verseI know what I will do, so that when I am removed from management, they may receive me into their houses.’

5verseCalling each one of his lord’s debtors to him, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe to my lord?’

6verseHe said, ‘A hundred batos of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’

7verseThen he said to another, ‘How much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred cors of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’

8verse“His lord commended the dishonest manager because he had done wisely, for the children of this world are, in their own generation, wiser than the children of the light.

9verseI tell you, make for yourselves friends by means of unrighteous mammon, so that when you fail, they may receive you into the eternal tents.

10verseHe who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much. He who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.

11verseIf therefore you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

12verseIf you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?

13verseNo servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to one and despise the other. You aren’t able to serve God and Mammon.”

14verseThe Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they scoffed at him.

15verseHe said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts. For that which is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

16verse“The law and the prophets were until John. From that time the Good News of God’s Kingdom is preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it.

17verseBut it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tiny stroke of a pen in the law to fall.

18verse“Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery. He who marries one who is divorced from a husband commits adultery.

19verse“Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, living in luxury every day.

20verseA certain beggar, named Lazarus, was taken to his gate, full of sores,

21verseand desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Yes, even the dogs came and licked his sores.

22verseThe beggar died, and he was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.

23verseIn Hades, he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far off, and Lazarus at his bosom.

24verseHe cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue! For I am in anguish in this flame.’

25verse“But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that you, in your lifetime, received your good things, and Lazarus, in the same way, bad things. But here he is now comforted and you are in anguish.

26verseBesides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, that those who want to pass from here to you are not able, and that no one may cross over from there to us.’

27verse“He said, ‘I ask you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house—

28versefor I have five brothers—that he may testify to them, so they won’t also come into this place of torment.’

29verse“But Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’

30verse“He said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’

31verse“He said to him, ‘If they don’t listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if one rises from the dead.’”

A Warning and Comfort Regarding Persecution

Jesus warns His disciples in advance that they will face persecution in the world ahead (verses 1–4). This is so that His disciples will not stumble amid sudden trials, but will be prepared beforehand. At the same time, Jesus encourages them not to be afraid or discouraged because of this fact.

The Coming of the Holy Spirit and His Ministry

In the central part of this chapter, verses 5–15 explain the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, who will come after Jesus departs. The Advocate will convict the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment, and will guide the disciples into all truth by making known what belongs to Jesus. This section emphasizes that the disciples will not be left without divine help.

Parting for a Little While and Everlasting Joy

In verses 16–24, Jesus says that after “a little while” they will not see Him, and that they will “a little while” later see Him again. These words imply His death on the cross and His resurrection. The disciples did not understand, but Jesus promises that their sorrow will be turned into joy. It is the part in which He promises new joy and assurance that will come after a short time of suffering.

Assurance of Faith and the Promise of Peace

In verses 25–33, it mentions that the disciples gradually come to understand Jesus’ words, and it emphasizes that in the end they will receive the privilege and grace to ask God directly. Finally, Jesus proclaims, “In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world.” This symbolically represents the peace and boldness of the saints that come through Jesus’ victory.

Meditation Points

  • As you meditate, consider why Jesus told His disciples about suffering and persecution in advance.
  • Think about how the role of the Holy Spirit (the Advocate) is related to my life of faith.
  • Reflect on what the promise that a brief sorrow will turn into joy means for me today.

Apply It to Yourself

  • Even in the difficult moments of life, look back on yourself so that you can trust the Lord’s words and the help of the Holy Spirit and live boldly.
  • Remember Jesus’ promise to give peace even in tribulation, and think about specific practices you can carry out in everyday life to enjoy that peace.

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