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Exegetical Considerations
Luke 16:1-13
16th Sunday after Pentecost/ September 19, 2004

1. How does 16:1 flow out of as well as recall the parable of 15:11-13 in terms of
a. The openings in 15:11 and 16:1?

b. The use of diaskorpizo in 15:13 and 16:1?

c. The negative characterization of the younger son and the unrighteous steward?

2. What is the role/responsibilities of a steward?

a. How is that related to the use of oikonomos in vv. 1,2,3,4,8?

3. What is the crisis the steward faces in with regard to his future financial situation and social status?

4. How does “What shall I do” function as a question in light of an impending function
a. In 16:3?

b. In Luke 3:10,12,14; 12:17; Acts 2:37?

5. How does the steward make himself a patron to his patron’s clients?

6. How is the significance of the use of unrighteous/unrighteousness in vv. 4,8,9,10,11?

7. How does dechomai function as a hospitality term in vv. 4,6,7,9 as it (and its cognates) do in 9:5,48; 10:8,10,38; 15:3; 19:6?

8. For Luke, what does it mean to use money for friendships
a. According to the values of this world (cf. 12:13-21; 15:12-13; 16:3-7)?

b. According to the values of God’s kingdom (cf. 3:10-14; 4:18-19; 6:35; 7:41-47; 8:2-3; 11:4; 14:12-14; 16:9)?

9. What is the point of Luke’s parabolic comparison in this text?

a. How might that recall 11:5-13?

10. How is Luke calling on us to carry out a stewardship of possessions in the present in light of God’s ultimate future?

a. How does that recall 12:13-21, 32-48?

11. For Luke, money is by nature negative.

a. Why?

b. How does that relate to a 21st century understanding of money?

c. How might Luke’s perspective provide challenges and new insights for our theological understanding and use of money?