FocusForgiveness, faith, and service
Connection to the wholeJesus warns about causing offense and teaches repeated forgiveness, faith, and the humility of servants doing their duty.
interpretation Luke 17:4
KJVAnd if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
Read it in context
Responsibilities of disciples
Start reading at Luke 17:1 (Luke 17:1 to Luke 17:10).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
Jesus warns about causing offense and teaches repeated forgiveness, faith, and the humility of servants doing their duty.
- 17:1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!
- 17:2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
- 17:3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
- 17:4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
- 17:5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.
- 17:6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.
- 17:7 But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?
- 17:8 And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?
- 17:9 Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.
- 17:10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Luke, the physician and companion of Paul, is the author identified by early church tradition for both Luke and Acts. Biblical references: Colossians 4:14; Philemon 1:24. Historical source: Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.1.1; Anchor Bible Dictionary, Luke–Acts. traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Luke 17:1–17:37): Jesus instructs His disciples, heals ten lepers, answers Pharisees about God's kingdom, and speaks further to His disciples about the days of the Son of man. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Theophilus is the named recipient, already instructed in the matters Luke recounts. Wider readers also benefit, but identifying Theophilus as a particular official or assigning him a precise biography goes beyond the available evidence. Biblical references: Luke 1:3; Luke 1:4. Historical source: Anchor Bible Dictionary, Luke–Acts. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Responsibilities of disciples. Read Luke 17:1 through Luke 17:10 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? Jesus warns about causing offense and teaches repeated forgiveness, faith, and the humility of servants doing their duty. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The account connects events with named rulers and begins before Jesus' birth, continuing through His resurrection and ascension. Those narrative dates do not themselves date composition. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The narrative ranges through Judea and Galilee and gives sustained attention to the journey toward Jerusalem. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Responsibilities of disciples (Luke 17:1 to Luke 17:10). Start reading at Luke 17:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Luke presents Jesus as the Saviour and records His explanation that the Scriptures concern His suffering and glory. Keep this broad claim alongside the particular passages He and the narrator actually connect. See Luke 2:11, Luke 19:10, Luke 24:26, Luke 24:27. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Attend to repentance, mercy, prayer, and faithful response. Identify who is being addressed in a parable or rebuke before applying it to someone else. interpretation
Cited: Luke 17:1, Luke 17:10, Luke 2:11, Luke 19:10, Luke 24:26, Luke 24:27
Who wrote it, and how we know
Luke, the physician and companion of Paul
From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe author writes in the first person to Theophilus and describes carefully investigating eyewitness accounts, but does not give his name.
Luke 1:1Luke 1:3
Early traditionEarly testimony, including Irenaeus and the Muratorian fragment, names Luke, the physician and companion of Paul.
What is debatedThe name is not in the text.
Related passages
- if Matt 18:21-22,35 1 Cor 13:4-7 Eph 4:31-32 Col 3:12-13
- I repent Matt 5:44 Matt 6:12,14-15 Matt 18:16 Rom 12:20 2 Thess 3:13-14
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Luke 17
The opening addresses Theophilus and explains the purpose of giving an orderly account so he may know the certainty of what he has been taught. Read the narrative as it moves from preparation for Jesus' birth to His resurrection and the promised witness.
Luke 1:1 Luke 1:3 Luke 1:4 Luke 24:47
Ten lepers cleansed
Luke 17:11–19FocusThanksgiving and return
Connection to the wholeThe Samaritan's return contrasts with the others' absence, directing attention from receiving mercy to acknowledging its giver.
interpretation The kingdom and the Son of man
Luke 17:20–37FocusDiscernment and readiness
Connection to the wholeQuestions about the kingdom lead to warnings against misleading claims and to examples of sudden judgment amid ordinary life.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Luke
The opening addresses Theophilus and explains the purpose of giving an orderly account so he may know the certainty of what he has been taught. Read the narrative as it moves from preparation for Jesus' birth to His resurrection and the promised witness.
Luke 1:1 Luke 1:3 Luke 1:4 Luke 24:47
The births and early years
Luke 1:1–2:52FocusPromise, praise, and preparation
Connection to the wholeThe birth announcements and childhood accounts locate Jesus' coming within God's promises and the expectations expressed by faithful witnesses.
interpretation The ministry prepared
Luke 3:1–4:13FocusJohn, baptism, and temptation
Connection to the wholeJohn's call to repentance, Jesus' baptism, the genealogy, and the temptation prepare the public ministry.
interpretation Ministry and discipleship
Luke 4:14–9:50FocusAuthority, mercy, and recognition
Connection to the wholeTeaching and mighty works reveal Jesus' identity while He forms disciples and begins to explain His coming suffering.
interpretation FocusFollowing Jesus on the way
Connection to the wholeThe extended journey gathers teaching about repentance, prayer, possessions, mercy, and readiness as Jesus approaches His death.
interpretation Jerusalem and the temple
Luke 19:28–21:38FocusVisitation, conflict, and watchfulness
Connection to the wholeThe entry and temple ministry bring confrontation and teaching about Jerusalem's distress and the need to watch.
interpretation Passion, resurrection, and commission
Luke 22:1–24:53FocusScripture fulfilled and witness prepared
Connection to the wholeJesus' death and resurrection are interpreted through Scripture, leading to the proclamation of repentance and remission of sins and the promise of power.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.