Luke 16

1 By the similitude of the prudence of an unjust Steward, Christ teacheth, that we must make friends of the unrighteous Mammon, 13 and that we must not serve Mammon , 14 reproveth the covetous Pharises hypocrisies and highmindednss, 16 teacheth that the Law and the Prophets continued untill John, and must be fulfilled to the least title, 28 treateth of divorce, 29 propounds the similitude of the rich man, and poor Lazarus, and the different estate of both, as well in this life as hereafter.

1. AND he said also unto his Desciples, there was a certain rich man which had a Steward, [Gr. house keeper or Baylie, who is appointed for the receiving in, and laying out of the means] and he was accused to him, as one that wasted his goods.[Gr. scattered or consumed.]

2. And he called him, and said unto him, how do I hear of this of thee? Give account of thy stewardship, [Or administration of thine office] for thou canst no longer be Steward.

3. And the Steward said with himself, what shall I do? Seeing my Lord hath taken this Stewardship from me? I cannot dig, to beg I am ashamed.

4. I know what I will do, that when I shall be put off from the Stewardship, they [Namely, my Lord debtors] may receive me into their houses.

5. And he called unto him every one of his Lords debtors, and said to the first, how much art thou indebted to my Lord.

6. And he said, an hundred Vessels of oyl; [Gr. Bators, which signifieth a great measure of moist wares, whereof, see 1 Kings 7:26.] And he said unto him, take thy writing and sitting down, write quickly fifty.

7. Afterwards he said to another, and thou, how much art thou indebted, and he said, an hundred brushels of wheat; [Gr, coros. Which signifies a great measure of dry wares, 1 Kings 4:22.] And he said unto him, take thy writing and write eighty.

8. And the Lord [Namely, of this Steward] commended the unjust Steward [not because of his unjustice, but for this prudence, to make provisions for himself against the future] because he had done prudently, for the children of this world. [Gr. sons, i.e. that seek nothing else but the things of this world, as there are opposed to them the children of the light, that is, those that being enlightened by the holy Ghost, seek that which is in heaven, John 12:36. Ephesians 5:8. 1Thes. 5.5,8. 1 John 1:5, 6.] are more prudent then the children of light in their generation.

9. And I say unto you, make to yourselves friends, [That is take care by your liberality towards the poor especially the Faithfull, that they do not complain of you, but may bless you before God. See Duet. 24.13.] of the unrighteous Mammon, [of this word see Matth.6.24.] that when ye shall want, [or when ye shall faint, namely, by death, or when ye shall leave, namely, the Mammon] they may receive you [namely, as witnesses of your liberality and charity shewed towards them] into everlasting tabernacles.

10. He that is faithfull in the least, he is also faithfull the great; [Gr. much] and he that is unjust in the least, [or the fewest] he is unjust also in the great.

11. If therefore ye have not been fathfull in the unrighteous Mammon, [Because many times riches are either gotten unjustly or not rightly bestowed or used. Others translate it false or deceitfull, because it is opposed to the true good, verse 11.] who shall entrust you with the true? [that is, the true, unperishing, and heavenly riches, Matth.6.v.20.]

12. And if ye have not been faithfull in others (goods) [Namely, which God lends you but for a time, to use not onely for your selves, but for others also] who shall give you, your own? [that is, which you shall keep always and forever.]

13. No servant can serve two lords; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will adhere to the one, [That is keep close or stick to the one] and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and the Mammon.

14. And all these things the Pharisees heard also, who were covetous of money, and they derided him.

15. And he said unto them, Ye are they which justifie your selves before men, but God knoweth your hearts. For that which is high amongst men, [That is, that which worldly and carnal men esteem highly] is an abomination before God.

16. The Law and the Prophets (are) until John: from that time forward the kingdom of God [That is, the fulfilling of that, which the Law and the Prophets foretold concerning the Messiah] is preached;[Gr. is evangelized] and ever one presseth violently upon the same. [See Matth. 11.12.]

17. And it is easier that Heaven and Earth pass away then that title of the Law. [That is, that should not be accomplished which said and taught in the Law and the Prophets.]

18. Every one that forsaketh his wife, [To wit, other wife then fornication, as is expressed Mtth 5.32. and 19.9.] and marrieth other, he commiteth adultery: and every one that marrieth her that is forsaken her husband, he (also) commiteth adultery.

19. And there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed with purple, [That is with purple garments. See Matth.27.28. Mark 15:17.] and very fine linen, [Gr. Byssos; this is a sort of very fine cloth or linen, which Pliny saith , was valued against gold, Hist. nat, lib.19. cap.10. and is expressly distinguished from silk, Revel 18.12.] living every day delightfully and stately.

20. And there was a certain Begger named Lazarus, which lay before his gate, [Or portal, porch] full of sores.

21. And desired to be satisfied with crums, which fell from the rich (mans) table; but even the Dogs came and licked his sores.

22. And it came to pass that the Begger died, and was carried by the Angels into Abrahams bosoms [That is, into Heaven or into Paradise, where the faithfull with Abraham the Father of all faithfull shall be gathered , rest, sit down and be comforted, Matth.8.verse11. John 13:23.]

23. And the rich (man) died also, and was buried [Namely with great pomp and state. Of Lazarus’s burial there is no mention made, but instead thereof, all that happened to his soul.]And when in Hell he lift up his eyes, [these words, like as also some of the following. Must not be properly, for the soul being a spiritual being, neither hath eyes, nor tongue, nor fingers: but by the similitude, thereby to set forth both the greatness of the pains in Hell, and the unchangeableness of the state of the soul after this life, both of those that are in Heaven, and those that are in Hell.] being in torment, he saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosome.

24. And he 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 suffer pains in this flame.

25. But Abraham said, Childe, Remember that thou receiveth thy good in life, and Lazarus likewise evil: and now he is comforted and thou sufferest pains

26. And besides all this, between us and you is a great cleft (or gulf) fixed, [Or abyss, i. a vast and deep interval settled by Gods will and power.] so that they which would go over from hence to you, should not be able; nor yet they (that are there) come over from thence to us.

27. And he said, I pray thee there Father, that thou wouldst send him to my fathers house.

28. For I have five brethren, that he may testifie (this) to them, lest they also come onto this place of torment.

29. Abraham said unto him, They have Moses and the Prophets, [That is the writings of Moses and the Prophets.] let them hear them. [That is, be obedient unto them.]

30. And he said, no Father Abraham: but if any one went to them from the dead, they would repent.

31. But (Abraham) said unto him, if they hear not Moses and the Prophet neither would they although any one arose from the dead, give credit to him. [Or be perswaded.