Comments on Luke 16 Another straightforward chapter. Again, I will limit myself to the obscurities. v1-13 The intent of the story is to convey the idea contained in v. 10-12, namely that one is to be faithful is both material and spiritual things. If one cannot be faithful in material things, then one cannot be faithful in spiritual things. An underlying theme of the parable is that the worldly heathen are more wise in their use of material things than natural Israel, the Pharisees in specific per v. 14-15, has been in their use of spiritual things, cf. v. 8, cp. 14:26-33. v9 is difficult to understand. The KJV phrases it as a statement, as do many other modern translations. However, the CLNT phrases it as a question, and it reads best as such: And am I saying to you, Make for yourselves friends with the mammon of injustice, that, whenever it may be defaulting, they should be receiving you into the eonian tabernacle? Jesus is including an explanatory rhetorical question to make it clear he is drawing a contrast between the sons of the world and the supposed sons of light in v. 8. His is not telling the sons of light that they should be following a materialistic lifestyle. Jesus provides the answer to this rhetorical question in v. 15 when he attacks the Pharisees for their worldliness, which is an abomination to God. The Pharisees pretend to be sons of light, but are in fact worshippers of mammon, are are therefor unwise. v10-11 Jesus is accusing the supposed sons of light of being covetous and of worshiping mammon. v16 The IV/JST differs considerably from the KJV: KJV IV --- -- And they said unto him, The law and the prophets We have the law, and the prophets; but as for this man we will not receive him to be our ruler; for he maketh himself to be a judge over us. Then said Jesus unto them, The law and the prophets testify of me; yea, and all the prophets who have written, were until John: even until John, have foretold of these days. since that time Since that time, the kingdom of God the kingdom of God is preached, is preached, and every man and every man who seeketh truth presseth into it. presseth into it. v18 Regarding divorce, see my comments on Mark 5:21-43 in LDSS Vol. 3, No. 7 and Matt. 5:31-32 LDSS Vol. 3, No. 8. v31 is a prediction of the raising of the literal Lazarus from the dead, but also of Jesus' resurrection. This parable is unique in that it has a specific literal fulfilment. Copyright © 2002 by S. Kurt Neumiller . All rights reserved. No part of this text may be reproduced in any form or by any means for commercial gain without the express written consent of the author. Digital or printed copies may be freely made and distributed for personal and public non-commercial use.