PrevLuke 17:3Next

Luke 17

Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!

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.

Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

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.

And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.

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.

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?

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?

Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.

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.

And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.

And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:

And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.

And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.

And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,

And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?

There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.

And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:

Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it.

And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them.

For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.

But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation.

And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.

They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.

Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;

But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.

Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.

Remember Lot's wife.

Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.

I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.

Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.

What does Luke 17:3 mean?

Explanation

The verse Luke 17:3, "Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him," speaks to the importance of accountability and forgiveness within Christian ethics.

Literally, it suggests that if someone wrongs you, you should confront them about the issue.

If they acknowledge their wrongdoing and show remorse, you are encouraged to offer forgiveness.

The deeper meaning can be linked to the maintenance of communal harmony and the transformation of relationships.

It advocates for a proactive approach to conflict resolution and encourages a cycle of repentance and grace, emphasizing the value of reconciliation over harboring resentment.

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

This verse is from the Gospel of Luke, which is believed to have been written around 80-110 AD.

Luke is considered part of the Synoptic Gospels, which also includes Matthew and Mark.

The Gospel was written in a period when the early Christian community was defining its identity and beliefs, often contrasting its ideals with those of contemporary Judaism and the Greco-Roman society.

Luke particularly addresses a Gentile audience, emphasizing Jesus' forgiveness and the need for repentance.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, Luke 17:3 reflects several key concepts:

Accountability: The act of rebuking a brother who has sinned is grounded in the idea that individuals should be held accountable for their actions in a spiritual community.
Repentance: The call for the offender to repent suggests a doctrinal stance that repentance is necessary for the forgiveness of sins.
Forgiveness: Forgiveness is a fundamental Christian virtue; it echoes Jesus' teachings on the importance of forgiving others as God forgives our sins.
Restorative Justice: This concept points towards repairing the damage caused by sin, not just punishing the sinner, focusing on healing relationships.

Practical Applications

In daily life, this verse can guide individuals to:

Approach conflicts with honesty and direct communication. 2.

Provide opportunities for others to make amends for their mistakes. 3.

Cultivate an attitude of forgiveness, reducing bitterness and improving personal well-being. 4.

Engage in restorative practices that focus on repairing relationships rather than seeking retribution.

Cross-References

Matthew 18:15-17: "Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother."
Ephesians 4:32: "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
Colossians 3:13: "Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, key words include:

"rebuke" (epitimaō): to charge or admonish someone, implying a corrective nature rather than punitive action.
"trespass" (hamartanō): to miss the mark, to err or sin, indicating a moral failure or deviation.
"repent" (metanoeō): to change one's mind or purpose, suggesting a profound transformation and turning away from sin.
"forgive" (aphiēmi): to release or let go, indicating the relinquishing of resentment or claim against someone.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the broader cultural and religious context, the notion of seeking repentance and offering forgiveness can be found in several traditions:

In Judaism, there is a strong emphasis on seeking forgiveness from those we've wronged, especially before Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.
In Islam, the concept of Tawba (repentance) is pivotal, along with the importance of forgiving others, as Allah is the Merciful and the Forgiver.
In Buddhism, while the concepts of sin and divine forgiveness are not present as they are in Christianity, there is a focus on right action and the resolution of conflicts through understanding and compassion.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern psychology supports some of the verse's implications, emphasizing the benefits of forgiveness and conflict resolution on mental health.

Studies have shown that forgiveness can lead to lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, and better cardiovascular health.

The process of confrontation and resolution outlined in the verse aligns with psychological practices that seek to address and reconcile interpersonal issues.

Commentaries

Commentaries on Luke 17:3 offer various perspectives:

John Gill noted the importance of private rebuke as a first step towards reconciliation and the centrality of forgiveness in Christian conduct.
Matthew Henry emphasized that the duty of forgiving others is closely tied to the frequency of their repentance, indicating a process rather than a one-time act.
The Pulpit Commentary discusses the gentle nature of the rebuke, suggesting that the intention should always be the restoration of the sinner, not their humiliation.
Modern commentaries often highlight the balance of truth and love in the verse, advocating for addressing wrongs with the aim of healing relationships, reflecting the compassion of Jesus' teachings.

Luke 17

Luke 17

What does Luke 17:3 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Luke 17:3 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?