And he said also to his disciples
The Syriac version adds, "a parable", as the following is; and
which is directed to the disciples, as those in the preceding
chapter are to the Pharisees; and who also are designed in this;
though it is particularly spoken to the disciples, because it
might be of some use to them, with respect, to the stewardship
they were in. The Persic and Ethiopic versions read, "Jesus", or
"the Lord Jesus said": and which is to be understood, though not
expressed; for the parable was delivered by him, and is as
follows:
there was a certain rich man:
by whom God is meant, who is rich in the perfections of his
nature, in the works of his hands, in his government, and the
administration of it, in providential goodness, and in the large
revenues of glory due to him from his creatures; for all temporal
riches are from him; and so are all the riches of mercy, grace,
and glory:
which had a steward;
by whom is designed, not all mankind; for though all men are, in
a sense, stewards under God, and are entrusted with the good
things of life, the gifts of nature, endowments of mind, health,
strength of body, time yet all cannot be meant, because some are
distinguished from this steward, ( Luke 16:5 Luke 16:8 ) nor are the
disciples intended, though the parable is directed to them; and
they were stewards of the mysteries and manifold grace of God;
and one among them was an unfaithful one, and was turned out of
his stewardship; but the character of an unjust man will not suit
with them: and besides, this steward was of the children of this
world, ( Luke 16:8
) but the Pharisees are meant: for these are taken notice of as
gravelled at this parable, ( Luke 16:14 Luke 16:15 ) and to them
agrees the character of the men of this world, who were worldly
wise men; as also that of a steward; these are the tutors and
governors mentioned in ( Galatians
4:2 ) who had the care of the house of Israel, the family of
God, under the legal dispensation; and to whom were committed the
oracles of God, the writings of Moses, and the prophets; and
whose business it was to open and explain them to the people.
And the same was accused unto him, that he had wasted his
goods;
put false glosses upon the Scriptures; fed the family with bad
and unwholesome food, the traditions of the elders, called the
leaven of the Pharisees: made havoc of the souls of men; and made
the hearts of the righteous sad: and hardened sinners in their
wicked ways: and fed themselves, and not the flock; and plundered
persons of their temporal substance; of all which they were
accused by Moses, in whom they trusted; by his law which they
violated; and by their own consciences, which witnessed against
them; and by the cries of those whom they abused, which came into
the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.