And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.
No indication is given of the time and occasion of these two parables-as usual in this portion of our Gospel. (See opening remarks at Luke 9:51.) But they appear to be in their natural order after the preceding, and a certain distant connection with them has been traced.
This parable has occasioned more discussion and diversity of opinion than all the rest. But judicious interpreters are now pretty much agreed as to its general import.
And he said also unto his disciples - not the Twelve exclusively, but His followers in the wider sense:
There was a certain rich man - denoting the Great Lord of all, "the most high God, Possessor of heaven and earth,"
Which had a steward, х oikonomon (G3623)] - the manager of his estate; representing all who have gifts divinely committed to their trust, and so answering pretty nearly to the "servants" in the parable of the Talents, to whom were committed their lord's "goods."
And the same was accused [ diebleethee (G1225 )] unto him that he had wasted his goods, х diaskorpizoon (G1287)] - rather, 'was wasting his goods.' The word signifies to 'scatter,' and so to 'waste.' Information to this effect was lodged with his master.