Jesus continues the parable of the rich man's house manager who was slandered.
Luke 16:5 So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord?
Luke 16:5 So he called in each one of his master’s debtors. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’
And, summoning each one individually of the needy debtors of that master of his own, he said to the first, "How much do you owe that lord of mine?"
This verse starts with a mistranslation of the first word, not a good sign. Jesus uses these "and" conjunctions intentionally to create a humorous pauses. Understanding this verse is more difficult because of the mistranslation of "scattering around" as "waste" Luke 16:1. The debtors in this verse are those to whom the property was "scattered”.
The manager is put in a further good light, lost in translation, by the word translated as "debtor" which means "needy debtor." The translations makes it sound like they were summoned as a group, but the verse uses an uncommon word that means "each individually" which is mistranslated as "every" and "each”.
The first "his" is a special word meaning "his own”. It is used to make it clear that his master was not the master of the debtors. At some point, debtors became debt slaves in Jesus's era.
When we scatter good things, they come back to us.
So(WW) he called(WF) every(WW) one of his(CW) (MW) lord's debtors(CW) unto him(IW), and(IW) said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my (MW) lord?
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "so" should be something more like "and”.
- WF -- Wrong Form - This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "calling”.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "every”.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "his”.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "lord" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "debtor”.
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "him," doesn't exist in the source.
- IW - Inserted Word-- The "and" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "lord" is not shown in the English translation.
So(WW) he called(WF) in each one of his(CW) (MW) master's debtors(CW). He asked(CW) the first, ‘How much do you owe my (MW) master?’
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "so" should be something more like "and”.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "called”.
- WF -- Wrong Form - This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "calling”.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "his”.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "lord" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "debtor”.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "lord" is not shown in the English translation.
So -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and”, but it also is used to add emphasis, "even", "also" and "just”. This word doesn't mean "so”.
he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
called - (WF)The verb translated as "called..unto" means "call upon" or "summon, but it has the specific meaning to "cite or summon into court”. It is in the form of an adjective, "summoning” referring to the lord or master. This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "calling”.
every-- (CW) The Greek word translated as "every" means "each”, "all and each severally” and "each by himself”. This is not the word usually translated as "every”.
one -- The Greek word translated as "one " means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single" and "one and the same”. As in English, it can be used as a pronoun, meaning a single person.
of -- This word "of" comes from the possessive form (genitive case) of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
his -- -- (CW) "His" is a special reflexive pronoun that means "himself”, "herself” and so on. When used in the possessive, it has the sense of "his own”, This is not the word usually translated as "his”.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the”, which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this”, "that”, "these" and "those"). See this article for more.
lord's -- The word translated as "lord" means "lord", "master of the house” and "head of the family". It is the specific term for the master of slaves or servants, but it was a common term of respect both for those in authority and who were honored. It was the term people used to address Christ, even though he had no formal authority. Today, we would say "boss" or "chief". For the sake of consistency, this should be the Greek word translated as "master”.
debtors - (CW) The word translated as "debtor" means "needy debtor”. This is not the word usually translated as "debtor”.
unto - This completes the meaning of the verb. It is from the prefix.
him, -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.
and -- (IW) These is no "and" here. It is added because the previous participle was changed from an adjective form to an active verb in translation.
said -- The word translated as “said” is the most common word that means "to say”, "to tell” and "to speak”, but when used with an objective noun or pronoun, the sense is "say of" or "speak of”. It also has many ancillary meanings such as "to count" ("to number" or like we might say, "to recount" a story) or "to choose for yourself”.
unto -- This word "to" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the", which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this”, "that”, "these”, "those") than the English "the”. See this article for more.
first, -- The word translated as "first" takes a lot of different types of "first" meanings from its context. Here, it is technically an adjective but it plays the role of the English adverb "initially”.
How much -- The adjective translated as "how much" means "of what quantity”, [in distance] "how far”, [of number] how far”, [of time] "how long”, [of value] "how much”, "how great”, "how many" and "how much”.
owest - "Owe" is from a Greek verb that means "to owe", "to have to pay” and "to account for”.
thou-- This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.
unto -- This word "to" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object.
my -- "My" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun, "my", "me" and "mine”. Usually follows the noun so, "of mine”.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the”, which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that”, "these" and "those"). See this article for more.
lord? -- The word translated as "lord" means "lord”, "master of the house” and "head of the family”. It is the specific term for the master of slaves or servants, but it was a common term of respect both for those in authority and who were honored. It was the term people used to address Christ, even though he had no formal authority. Today, we would say "boss" or "chief”. For the sake of consistency, this should be the Greek word translated as "master”.
So -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just." This word doesn't mean "so”.
he -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
called - (WF)The verb translated as "called..in" means "call upon" or "summon”, but it has the specific meaning to "cite or summon into court”. It is in the form of an adjective, "summoning", referring to the lord or master. This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, "calling”.
in - This completes the meaning of the verb. It is from the prefix.
each -- The Greek word translated as "each" means "each”, "all and each severally” and "each by himself”.
one -- The Greek word translated as "one " means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single” and "one and the same”. As in English, it can be used as a pronoun, meaning a single person.
of -- This word "of" comes from the possessive form (genitive case) of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
his -- -- (CW) "His" is a special reflexive pronoun that means "himself”, "herself” and so on. When used in the possessive, it has the sense of "his own". This is not the word usually translated as "his”.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the”, which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this”, "that”, "these" and "those"). See this article for more.
master's -- The word translated as "master" means "lord”, "master of the house" and "head of the family". It is the specific term for the master of slaves or servants, but it was a common term of respect both for those in authority and who were honored. It was the term people used to address Christ, even though he had no formal authority. Today, we would say "boss" or "chief”. For the sake of consistency, this should be the Greek word translated as "master”.
debtors - (CW) The word translated as "debtor" means "needy debtor”. This is not the word usually translated as "debtor”.
asked -- (CW)The word translated as "asked" is the most common word that means "to say", "to tell" and "to speak”, but when used with an objective noun or pronoun, the sense is "say of" or "speak of”. It also has many ancillary meanings such as "to count" ("to number" or like we might say, "to recount" a story) or "to choose for yourself". This is not the word usually translated as "asked”.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the”, which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this”, "that”, "these”, "those") than the English "the”. See this article for more.
first, -- The word translated as "first" takes a lot of different types of "first" meanings from its context. Here, it is technically an adjective but it plays the role of the English adverb "initially”.
How much -- The adjective translated as "how much" means "of what quantity”, [in distance] "how far”, [of number] how far”, [of time] "how long”, [of value] "how much”, "how great”, "how many” and "how much”.
owest - "Owe" are from a Greek verb that means "to owe”, "to have to pay” and "to account for”.
do -- This helping verb is used to create questions, commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in English.
you -- This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.
my -- "My" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun, "my”, "me” and "mine”. Usually follows the noun so, "of mine”.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this”, "that”, "these” and "those"). See this article for more.
master? -- The word translated as "master" means "lord”, "master of the house” and "head of the family". It is the specific term for the master of slaves or servants, but it was a common term of respect both for those in authority and who were honored. It was the term people used to address Christ, even though he had no formal authority. Today, we would say "boss" or "chief”. For the sake of consistency, this should be the Greek word translated as "master”.
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and" or "also”. After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also”. Also used to give emphasis, "even", "also" and "just”. In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also”. After words implying sameness "as”.
προσκαλεσάμενος [3 verses](part sg aor mid masc nom) "he called" is proskaleo, which means to "call on”, "summon", "address”, "accost”, "call to oneself”, "invite”, "summon”, "cite or summon into court" in the passive, "to be summoned” and metaphorically, "call forth” and "excite”.
ἕνα [85 verses](noun sg masc acc) "One" is heis, which means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single” and "one and the same”. This noun/adjective is irregular, having a number of forms depending on gender and case. It is always singular.
ἕκαστον [9 verses] (adj sg masc acc) "Every" is from hekastos, which means "each”, "all and each severally” and "each by himself”.
τῶν [821 verses](article pl masc gen) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones”.
χρεοφιλετῶν [3 verses](noun pl masc gen) "Debtors" is from chreopheiletes, which means "debtor" or "under bond". It means literally "needy debtor". "Debt" is from chreos(χραύω), which means "needing” and "lacking”. "Debtor" is opheiletes, which means "a debtor", "a person who owes a debt" or "one who is under a bond”. This is the standard word is from the standard word for debtor.
τοῦ [821 verses](article sg masc nom) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones”.
κυρίου [92 verses] (noun sg masc gen) "Lord" is kyrios, which means "having power”, "being in authority" and "being in possession of". It also means "lord”, "master of the house” and "head of the family”. It is the specific term for the master of slaves or servants, but it was a common term of respect both for those in authority and who were honored. It was the term people used to address Jesus, even though he had no formal authority. It was also the term used for the name of God in the Old Testament. Today, we would say "boss" or "chief”. For the sake of consistency, this should be the Greek word translated as "master" for humans and "Lord" for the Old Testament usage.
ἑαυτοῦ [75 verses](pro sg masc gen) "His" is heautou, is a reflexive pronoun that means "himself”, "herself”, "itself", "themselves” and "ourselves”. It is not the common pronoun meaning simply "he", "she”, "them” etc. In the genitive form, it has the sense of "his own”.
ἔλεγεν [264 verses](verb 3rd sg imperf ind act) "Said" is lego, which means "to recount”, "to tell over”, "to say”, "to speak”, "to teach”, "to mean”, "boast of", "tell of”, "recite”, “nominate" and "command”. When used with an object is has the sense of "call by name". It has a secondary meaning "pick out”, "choose for oneself”, "pick up”, "gather”, "count” and "recount”. A less common word that is spelled the same means "to lay”, "to lay asleep" and "to lull asleep”. This word is more about making a statement than participating in a discussion. Translating is as "stated" might distinguish it better. When two accusative objects are used, the sense is "say of him this”, or "call him this”. The form Jesus uses to describe his own speaking can be either indicative, "I say/tell" or subjunctive, "I should/could say/tell”.
τῷ [821 verses](article sg masc dat) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones”.
πρώτῳ [41 verses](adj sg masc dat) "Unto the first" is protos. In place, this means "before", "in front” and, as a noun, "the foremost”. Of time, it means "former”, "earlier” and, as a noun, "the initial”. In order, it means "the first”. In math, it means the prime numbers. Of rank or degree, it means "superior" or, as a noun, "the highest" or "the best”.
Πόσον [19 verses](adj sg masc acc) "How much" is posos, which means "of what quantity", [in distance] "how far”, [of number] “how far”, [of time] "how long”, [of value] "how much”, "how great”, "how many” and "how much”.
ὀφείλεις [5 verses] (verb 2nd sg pres ind act) "Owest thou" is opheilô, which means "to owe”, "to have to pay”, "to be bound to render”, "to be bound”, "to be obliged” and "to account for”.
τῷ [821 verses](article sg masc dat) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones”.
κυρίῳ [92 verses] (noun sg masc dat) "Lord" is kyrios, which means "having power", "being in authority" and "being in possession of”. It also means "lord”, "master of the house” and "head of the family”. It is the specific term for the master of slaves or servants, but it was a common term of respect both for those in authority and who were honored. It was the term people used to address Jesus, even though he had no formal authority. It was also the term used for the name of God in the Old Testament. Today, we would say "boss" or "chief”. For the sake of consistency, this should be the Greek word translated as "master" for humans and "Lord" for the Old Testament usage.
μου [239 verses](adj sg masc gen) "My" is from mou (emou), which means "me” and "mine”. It is in a possessive (genitive) form. As a genitive of a preposition here, it implies movement away from something or a position away from something else.