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Luke 16:13 No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."

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Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/luke/16.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />&#8220;No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/luke/16.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/luke/16.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/luke/16.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />No servant is able to serve two masters. For either he will hate the one and he will love the other, or he will be devoted to one and he will despise the other. You are not able to serve God and mammon."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/luke/16.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/luke/16.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />&#8220;No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/luke/16.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/luke/16.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/luke/16.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />&#8220;No 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 cannot serve God and mammon.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/luke/16.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/luke/16.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stand devotedly by the one and despise the other. You cannot serve <i>both</i> God and mammon [that is, your earthly possessions or anything else you trust in and rely on instead of God].&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/luke/16.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />No servant can serve two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/luke/16.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />No household slave can be the slave of two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can&#8217t be slaves to both God and money.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/luke/16.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />No 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. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/luke/16.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />You cannot be the slave of two masters. You will like one more than the other or be more loyal to one than to the other. You cannot serve God and money. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/luke/16.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />No 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. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/luke/16.htm">GOD'S WORD&reg; Translation</a></span><br />"A servant cannot serve two masters. He will hate the first master and love the second, or he will be devoted to the first and despise the second. You cannot serve God and wealth."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/luke/16.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"No servant can be the slave of two masters; such a slave will hate one and love the other or will be loyal to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/luke/16.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"No servant can serve two masters, because either he will hate one and love the other, or be loyal to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and wealth!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/luke/16.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/luke/16.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/luke/16.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />No 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 are not able to serve God and wealth."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/luke/16.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/luke/16.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"No servant can be in bondage to two masters. For either he will hate one and love the other, or else he will cling fast to one and scorn the other. You cannot be bondservants both of God and of gold."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/luke/16.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />No 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&#8217;t able to serve God and Mammon.&#8221; <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/luke/16.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />No servant is able to serve two lords, for either he will hate the one, and he will love the other; or one he will hold to, and of the other he will be heedless; you are not able to serve God and wealth.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/luke/16.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />No servant is able to serve two masters. For either he will hate the one and he will love the other, or he will be devoted to one and he will despise the other. You are not able to serve God and mammon."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/luke/16.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'No domestic is able to serve two lords, for either the one he will hate, and the other he will love; or one he will hold to, and of the other he will be heedless; ye are not able to serve God and mammon.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/luke/16.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />No servant can serve two lords: for he will either hate one, and love the other; or he will hold firmly to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/luke/16.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/luke/16.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />No servant is able to serve two lords. For either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will cling to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/luke/16.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.&#8221; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/luke/16.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.&#8221;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/luke/16.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and like the other; or he will honor one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (wealth).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/luke/16.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />&#8220;There is no servant who can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will honor the one and he will neglect the other. You cannot serve God and money.&#8221;<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/luke/16.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />No servant can serve two masters; for he will either hate the one, and love the other; or he will cleave to the one, and despise the other. You can not serve God and riches.<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/luke/16.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>No servant is able to serve two masters: for he will hate the one, and love the other; or he will cleave to the one, and despise the other. You are not able to serve God and mammon.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/luke/16.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />No domestic can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or he will cleave to the one, and neglect the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/luke/16.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />a servant cannot serve two masters: for either he will neglect the one, and attend the other; or he will be attached to the first, and misbehave to the last, you cannot serve God and mammon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/luke/16.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"No servant can be in bondage to two masters. For either he will hate one and love the other, or else he will cling fast to one and scorn the other. You cannot be bondservants both of God and of gold."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/luke/16.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>No domestic can serve two lords; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or he will hold to one, and despise the other: ye cannot serve God and mammon."<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/luke/16.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or <Fr><i>at lest</i><FR> he will be attached to the one, and neglect the other. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/luke/16-13.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3-5_0Jtd9Lc?start=6547" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/luke/16.htm">The Parable of the Shrewd Manager</a></span><br>&#8230;<span class="reftext">12</span>And if you have not been faithful with the belongings of another, who will give you belongings of your own? <span class="reftext">13</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/3762.htm" title="3762: Oudeis (Adj-NMS) -- No one, none, nothing. ">No</a> <a href="/greek/3610.htm" title="3610: oiket&#275;s (N-NMS) -- A household servant. From oikeo; a fellow resident, i.e. Menial domestic.">servant</a> <a href="/greek/1410.htm" title="1410: dynatai (V-PIM/P-3S) -- (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.">can</a> <a href="/greek/1398.htm" title="1398: douleuein (V-PNA) -- To be a slave, be subject to, obey, be devoted. From doulos; to be a slave to.">serve</a> <a href="/greek/1417.htm" title="1417: dysi (Adj-DMP) -- Two. A primary numeral; two.">two</a> <a href="/greek/2962.htm" title="2962: kyriois (N-DMP) -- Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.">masters.</a> <a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason."></a> <a href="/greek/2228.htm" title="2228: &#275; (Conj) -- Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.">Either</a> <a href="/greek/3404.htm" title="3404: mis&#275;sei (V-FIA-3S) -- To hate, detest, love less, esteem less. From a primary misos; to detest; by extension, to love less.">he will hate</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/1520.htm" title="1520: hena (Adj-AMS) -- One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.">one</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/25.htm" title="25: agap&#275;sei (V-FIA-3S) -- To love, wish well to, take pleasure in, long for; denotes the love of reason, esteem. Perhaps from agan; to love.">love</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/2087.htm" title="2087: heteron (Adj-AMS) -- (a) of two: another, a second, (b) other, different, (c) one's neighbor. Of uncertain affinity; other or different.">other,</a> <a href="/greek/2228.htm" title="2228: &#275; (Conj) -- Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.">or</a> <a href="/greek/472.htm" title="472: anthexetai (V-FIM-3S) -- From anti and the middle voice of echo; to hold oneself opposite to, i.e. adhere to; by extension to care for.">he will be devoted to</a> <a href="/greek/1520.htm" title="1520: henos (Adj-GMS) -- One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.">the one</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/2706.htm" title="2706: kataphron&#275;sei (V-FIA-3S) -- To despise, scorn, and show it by active insult, disregard. From kata and phroneo; to think against, i.e. Disesteem.">despise</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/2087.htm" title="2087: heterou (Adj-GMS) -- (a) of two: another, a second, (b) other, different, (c) one's neighbor. Of uncertain affinity; other or different.">other.</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ou (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/1410.htm" title="1410: dynasthe (V-PIM/P-2P) -- (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.">You cannot</a> <a href="/greek/1398.htm" title="1398: douleuein (V-PNA) -- To be a slave, be subject to, obey, be devoted. From doulos; to be a slave to.">serve</a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: The&#333; (N-DMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">both God</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3126.htm" title="3126: mam&#333;na (N-DMS) -- (Aramaic), riches, money, possessions, property. Of Chaldee origin; mammonas, i.e. Avarice.">money.&#8221;</a> </span> <span class="reftext">14</span>The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all of this and were scoffing at Jesus.&#8230;<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> &middot; <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-24.htm">Matthew 6:24</a></span><br />No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/24-15.htm">Joshua 24:15</a></span><br />But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/6-16.htm">Romans 6:16</a></span><br />Do you not know that when you offer yourselves as obedient slaves, you are slaves to the one you obey, whether you are slaves to sin leading to death, or to obedience leading to righteousness?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/18-21.htm">1 Kings 18:21</a></span><br />Then Elijah approached all the people and said, &#8220;How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.&#8221; But the people did not answer a word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/4-4.htm">James 4:4</a></span><br />You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/1-10.htm">Galatians 1:10</a></span><br />Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/2-15.htm">1 John 2:15-17</a></span><br />Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. / For all that is in the world&#8212;the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life&#8212;is not from the Father but from the world. / The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/6-10.htm">1 Timothy 6:10</a></span><br />For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-5.htm">Colossians 3:5</a></span><br />Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/3-19.htm">Philippians 3:19</a></span><br />Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/3-2.htm">2 Timothy 3:2-4</a></span><br />For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, / unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, / traitorous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/20-39.htm">Ezekiel 20:39</a></span><br />And as for you, O house of Israel, this is what the Lord GOD says: Go and serve your idols, every one of you. But afterward, you will surely listen to Me, and you will no longer defile My holy name with your gifts and idols.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/6-5.htm">Deuteronomy 6:5</a></span><br />And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/22-37.htm">Matthew 22:37</a></span><br />Jesus declared, &#8220;&#8216;Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.&#8217;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3</a></span><br />You shall have no other gods before Me.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.</p><p class="hdg">servant.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/9-50.htm">Luke 9:50</a></b></br> And Jesus said unto him, Forbid <i>him</i> not: for he that is not against us is for us.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/11-23.htm">Luke 11:23</a></b></br> He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/24-15.htm">Joshua 24:15</a></b></br> And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that <i>were</i> on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.</p><p class="hdg">hate.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/14-26.htm">Luke 14:26</a></b></br> If any <i>man</i> come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/14-33.htm">Able</a> <a href="/matthew/25-14.htm">Bondservants</a> <a href="/mark/10-7.htm">Cling</a> <a href="/matthew/18-10.htm">Despise</a> <a href="/luke/15-8.htm">Either</a> <a href="/luke/8-16.htm">Fast</a> <a href="/luke/14-26.htm">Hate</a> <a href="/luke/16-2.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/luke/11-43.htm">Love</a> <a href="/luke/16-11.htm">Mammon</a> <a href="/matthew/23-10.htm">Masters</a> <a href="/luke/16-3.htm">Money</a> <a href="/luke/8-53.htm">Scorn</a> <a href="/luke/16-8.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/luke/15-29.htm">Serve</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/luke/16-26.htm">Able</a> <a href="/acts/2-18.htm">Bondservants</a> <a href="/john/20-17.htm">Cling</a> <a href="/romans/2-4.htm">Despise</a> <a href="/luke/23-15.htm">Either</a> <a href="/luke/18-12.htm">Fast</a> <a href="/luke/21-17.htm">Hate</a> <a href="/luke/18-39.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/luke/16-14.htm">Love</a> <a href="/matthew/6-24.htm">Mammon</a> <a href="/luke/19-33.htm">Masters</a> <a href="/luke/16-14.htm">Money</a> <a href="/luke/23-11.htm">Scorn</a> <a href="/luke/17-7.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/luke/17-8.htm">Serve</a><div class="vheading2">Luke 16</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/16-1.htm">The parable of the unjust steward.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/16-14.htm">Jesus reproves the hypocrisy of the covetous Pharisees.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/16-19.htm">The parable of the rich man and Lazarus the beggar.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "ca-pub-3753401421161123"; /* 200 x 200 Parallel Bible */ google_ad_slot = "7676643937"; google_ad_width = 200; google_ad_height = 200; //--> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/luke/16.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>No servant</b><br />The term "servant" here is translated from the Greek word "&#959;&#7984;&#954;&#941;&#964;&#951;&#962;" (oiket&#275;s), which refers to a household servant or slave. In the historical context of the Roman Empire, a servant was bound to the will of their master, highlighting the totality of commitment expected. This sets the stage for understanding the impossibility of divided loyalty in spiritual matters.<p><b>can serve</b><br />The Greek word "&#948;&#973;&#957;&#945;&#964;&#945;&#953;" (dunatai) implies capability or power. The phrase suggests an inherent impossibility, not just a moral or ethical dilemma. It emphasizes that it is beyond one's ability to truly serve two masters, as true service requires undivided allegiance.<p><b>two masters</b><br />The word "masters" comes from the Greek "&#954;&#965;&#961;&#943;&#959;&#965;&#962;" (kyrious), meaning lords or owners. In the ancient world, a master had absolute authority over a servant. The use of "two masters" illustrates the conflict of interest and the impossibility of serving both with equal dedication, as each master would demand full allegiance.<p><b>Either he will hate the one</b><br />"Hate" is translated from the Greek "&#956;&#953;&#963;&#942;&#963;&#949;&#953;" (mis&#275;sei), which can mean to love less or to prefer less. This phrase indicates the natural outcome of divided loyalties, where one master will inevitably be neglected or resented in favor of the other.<p><b>and love the other</b><br />The Greek word for "love" is "&#7936;&#947;&#945;&#960;&#942;&#963;&#949;&#953;" (agap&#275;sei), which denotes a deep, committed love. This highlights the exclusivity of true devotion, where love for one master naturally excludes equal love for another.<p><b>or he will be devoted to the one</b><br />"Devoted" comes from the Greek "&#7936;&#957;&#952;&#941;&#958;&#949;&#964;&#945;&#953;" (anthexetai), meaning to hold firmly or cling to. This suggests a steadfast loyalty and commitment, reinforcing the idea that true service requires unwavering dedication to one master.<p><b>and despise the other</b><br />The term "despise" is from the Greek "&#954;&#945;&#964;&#945;&#966;&#961;&#959;&#957;&#942;&#963;&#949;&#953;" (kataphron&#275;sei), meaning to think little of or to disdain. This reflects the inevitable devaluation of one master when another is prioritized, underscoring the impossibility of equal service.<p><b>You cannot serve both God and money</b><br />"Money" is translated from the Greek "&#956;&#945;&#956;&#969;&#957;&#8119;" (mam&#333;na), often personified as a false god representing wealth and materialism. This phrase encapsulates the central teaching of the verse: the incompatibility of serving God, who demands total devotion, with the pursuit of wealth, which can become an idol. The historical context of Jesus' audience, who lived under Roman rule with its materialistic values, makes this teaching particularly poignant. It calls believers to examine their priorities and ensure that their ultimate allegiance is to God alone, as serving Him requires a heart undivided by worldly pursuits.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/luke/16.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(13) <span class= "bld">No servant can serve two masters.</span>--See Notes on <a href="/matthew/6-24.htm" title="No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.">Matthew 6:24</a>. Here it obviously comes in close connection with the previous teaching. But its occurrence, in an equally close sequence, in the Sermon on the Mount, shows that it took its place among the axioms of the religious life which our Lord, if we may so speak, loved to reproduce as occasion called for them.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/luke/16.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 13</span> - <span class="cmt_word">No servant can serve two masters... Ye cannot serve God and mammon.</span> Very vividly is this experience brought out in the great parable which immediately follows There the rich man was evidently one who observed the sacred ritual of the Law of Moses: this we learn without doubt from his conversation after death with Abraham. Thus he tried, after his light, to serve God, but he also served mammon: this we learn, too, clearly from the description given to us of his life, from the mention of the gorgeous apparel and the sumptuous feeding. The service of the two was incompatible, and we know from the sombre sequel of the story to which master the rich man really held, and whom - alas for him! - in his heart he despised. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/luke/16-13.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">No</span><br /><span class="grk">&#927;&#8016;&#948;&#949;&#8054;&#962;</span> <span class="translit">(Oudeis)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3762.htm">Strong's 3762: </a> </span><span class="str2">No one, none, nothing. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">servant</span><br /><span class="grk">&#959;&#7984;&#954;&#941;&#964;&#951;&#962;</span> <span class="translit">(oiket&#275;s)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3610.htm">Strong's 3610: </a> </span><span class="str2">A household servant. From oikeo; a fellow resident, i.e. Menial domestic.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">can</span><br /><span class="grk">&#948;&#973;&#957;&#945;&#964;&#945;&#953;</span> <span class="translit">(dynatai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1410.htm">Strong's 1410: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">serve</span><br /><span class="grk">&#948;&#959;&#965;&#955;&#949;&#973;&#949;&#953;&#957;</span> <span class="translit">(douleuein)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Infinitive Active<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1398.htm">Strong's 1398: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be a slave, be subject to, obey, be devoted. From doulos; to be a slave to.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">two</span><br /><span class="grk">&#948;&#965;&#963;&#8054;</span> <span class="translit">(dysi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1417.htm">Strong's 1417: </a> </span><span class="str2">Two. A primary numeral; 'two'.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">masters.</span><br /><span class="grk">&#954;&#965;&#961;&#943;&#959;&#953;&#962;</span> <span class="translit">(kyriois)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2962.htm">Strong's 2962: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Either</span><br /><span class="grk">&#7970;</span> <span class="translit">(&#275;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2228.htm">Strong's 2228: </a> </span><span class="str2">Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he will hate</span><br /><span class="grk">&#956;&#953;&#963;&#942;&#963;&#949;&#953;</span> <span class="translit">(mis&#275;sei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3404.htm">Strong's 3404: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hate, detest, love less, esteem less. From a primary misos; to detest; by extension, to love less.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">&#964;&#8056;&#957;</span> <span class="translit">(ton)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">one</span><br /><span class="grk">&#7957;&#957;&#945;</span> <span class="translit">(hena)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1520.htm">Strong's 1520: </a> </span><span class="str2">One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">&#954;&#945;&#8054;</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">love</span><br /><span class="grk">&#7936;&#947;&#945;&#960;&#942;&#963;&#949;&#953;</span> <span class="translit">(agap&#275;sei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_25.htm">Strong's 25: </a> </span><span class="str2">To love, wish well to, take pleasure in, long for; denotes the love of reason, esteem. Perhaps from agan; to love.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">&#964;&#8056;&#957;</span> <span class="translit">(ton)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">other,</span><br /><span class="grk">&#7957;&#964;&#949;&#961;&#959;&#957;</span> <span class="translit">(heteron)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2087.htm">Strong's 2087: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) of two: another, a second, (b) other, different, (c) one's neighbor. Of uncertain affinity; other or different.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or</span><br /><span class="grk">&#7970;</span> <span class="translit">(&#275;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2228.htm">Strong's 2228: </a> </span><span class="str2">Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he will be devoted to</span><br /><span class="grk">&#7936;&#957;&#952;&#941;&#958;&#949;&#964;&#945;&#953;</span> <span class="translit">(anthexetai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_472.htm">Strong's 472: </a> </span><span class="str2">From anti and the middle voice of echo; to hold oneself opposite to, i.e. adhere to; by extension to care for.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[the] one</span><br /><span class="grk">&#7953;&#957;&#8056;&#962;</span> <span class="translit">(henos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1520.htm">Strong's 1520: </a> </span><span class="str2">One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">&#954;&#945;&#8054;</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">despise</span><br /><span class="grk">&#954;&#945;&#964;&#945;&#966;&#961;&#959;&#957;&#942;&#963;&#949;&#953;</span> <span class="translit">(kataphron&#275;sei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2706.htm">Strong's 2706: </a> </span><span class="str2">To despise, scorn, and show it by active insult, disregard. From kata and phroneo; to think against, i.e. Disesteem.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">&#964;&#959;&#8166;</span> <span class="translit">(tou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Genitive Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">other.</span><br /><span class="grk">&#7953;&#964;&#941;&#961;&#959;&#965;</span> <span class="translit">(heterou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2087.htm">Strong's 2087: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) of two: another, a second, (b) other, different, (c) one's neighbor. Of uncertain affinity; other or different.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">You cannot</span><br /><span class="grk">&#948;&#973;&#957;&#945;&#963;&#952;&#949;</span> <span class="translit">(dynasthe)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1410.htm">Strong's 1410: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">serve</span><br /><span class="grk">&#948;&#959;&#965;&#955;&#949;&#973;&#949;&#953;&#957;</span> <span class="translit">(douleuein)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Infinitive Active<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1398.htm">Strong's 1398: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be a slave, be subject to, obey, be devoted. From doulos; to be a slave to.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[both] God</span><br /><span class="grk">&#920;&#949;&#8183;</span> <span class="translit">(The&#333;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> </span><span class="str2">A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">&#954;&#945;&#8054;</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">money.”</span><br /><span class="grk">&#956;&#945;&#956;&#969;&#957;&#8119;</span> <span class="translit">(mam&#333;na)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3126.htm">Strong's 3126: </a> </span><span class="str2">(Aramaic), riches, money, possessions, property. Of Chaldee origin; mammonas, i.e. Avarice.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/luke/16-13.htm">Luke 16:13 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/luke/16-13.htm">Luke 16:13 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/luke/16-13.htm">Luke 16:13 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/luke/16-13.htm">Luke 16:13 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/luke/16-13.htm">Luke 16:13 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/luke/16-13.htm">Luke 16:13 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/luke/16-13.htm">Luke 16:13 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/luke/16-13.htm">Luke 16:13 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/luke/16-13.htm">Luke 16:13 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/luke/16-13.htm">Luke 16:13 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/luke/16-13.htm">NT Gospels: Luke 16:13 No servant can serve two masters (Luke Lu Lk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/luke/16-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Luke 16:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Luke 16:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/luke/16-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Luke 16:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Luke 16:14" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>

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