Luke Chapter 17

Temptations and Trespasses

(Matthew 18:7-9; Mark 9:42-50)

1Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! 2It 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. 3Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. 4And 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.

The Power of Faith

(Matthew 17:14-21; Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-42)

5And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. 6And 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.

7But 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? 8And 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? 9Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. 10So 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.

Jesus Heals Ten Lepers

(2 Kings 5:1-14)

11And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: 13And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. 14And 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. 15And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. 17And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? 18There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. 19And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

The Coming of the Kingdom

20And 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: 21Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

22And 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. 23And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them. 24For 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. 25But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation. 26And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. 27They 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. 28Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; 29But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. 30Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. 31In 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. 32Remember Lot's wife. 33Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. 34I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. 35Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 36Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 37And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

Temptations and Trespasses
(Matthew 18:6–9; Mark 9:42–48)

1 He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no occasions of stumbling should come, but woe to him through whom they come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, rather than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble. 3 Be careful. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him. If he repents, forgive him. 4 If he sins against you seven times in the day, and seven times returns, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”

The Power of Faith
(Matthew 17:19–20)

5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” 6 The Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you would tell this sycamore tree, ‘Be uprooted, and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

7 But who is there among you, having a servant plowing or keeping sheep, that will say, when he comes in from the field, ‘Come immediately and sit down at the table,’ 8 and will not rather tell him, ‘Prepare my supper, clothe yourself properly, and serve me, while I eat and drink. Afterward you shall eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded? I think not. 10 Even so you also, when you have done all the things that are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy servants. We have done our duty.’”

The Ten Lepers
(2 Kings 5:1–14)

11 It happened as he was on his way to Jerusalem, that he was passing along the borders of Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he entered into a certain village, ten men who were lepers met him, who stood at a distance. 13 They lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14 When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” It happened that as they went, they were cleansed. 15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice. 16 He fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks; and he was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus answered, “Weren’t the ten cleansed? But where are the nine? 18 Were there none found who returned to give glory to God, except this stranger?” 19 Then he said to him, “Get up, and go your way. Your faith has healed you.”

The Coming of the Kingdom
(Genesis 19:24–29)

20 Being asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The Kingdom of God doesn’t come with observation; 21 neither will they say, ‘Look, here!’ or, ‘Look, there!’ for behold, the Kingdom of God is within you.”

22 He said to the disciples, “The days will come, when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. 23 They will tell you, ‘Look, here!’ or ‘Look, there!’ Don’t go away, nor follow after them, 24 for as the lightning, when it flashes out of the one part under the sky, shines to the other part under the sky; so will the Son of Man be in his day. 25 But first, he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. 26 As it happened in the days of Noah, even so will it be also in the days of the Son of Man. 27 They ate, they drank, they married, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ship, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise, even as it happened in the days of Lot: they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; 29 but in the day that Lot went out from Sodom, it rained fire and sulfur from the sky, and destroyed them all. 30 It will be the same way in the day that the Son of Man is revealed. 31 In that day, he who will be on the housetop, and his goods in the house, let him not go down to take them away. Let him who is in the field likewise not turn back. 32 Remember Lot’s wife! 33 Whoever seeks to save his life loses it, but whoever loses his life preserves it. 34 I tell you, in that night there will be two people in one bed. The one will be taken, and the other will be left. 35 There will be two grinding grain together. One will be taken, and the other will be left.” 36  37 They, answering, asked him, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the body is, there will the vultures also be gathered together.”

Temptations and Trespasses
(Matthew 18:6–9; Mark 9:42–48)

1 Jesus said to His disciples, “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks will come, but woe to the one through whom they come! 2 It would be better for him to have a millstone hung around his neck and to be thrown into the sea than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.

3 Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

The Power of Faith
(Matthew 17:19–20)

5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”

6 And the Lord answered, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.

7 Which of you whose servant comes in from plowing or shepherding in the field will say to him, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? 8 Instead, won’t he tell him, ‘Prepare my meal and dress yourself to serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank the servant because he did what he was told? 10 So you also, when you have done everything commanded of you, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’ ”

The Ten Lepers
(2 Kings 5:1–14)

11 While Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem, He was passing between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As He entered one of the villages, He was met by ten lepers. a They stood at a distance 13 and raised their voices, shouting, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

14 When Jesus saw them, He said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” b And as they were on their way, they were cleansed.

15 When one of them saw that he was healed, he came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He fell facedown at Jesus’ feet in thanksgiving to Him—and he was a Samaritan.

17 “Were not all ten cleansed?” Jesus asked. “Where then are the other nine? 18 Was no one found except this foreigner to return and give glory to God?”

19 Then Jesus said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well! c”

The Coming of the Kingdom
(Genesis 19:24–29)

20 When asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God will not come with observable signs. 21 Nor will people say, ‘Look, here it is,’ or ‘There it is.’ For you see, the kingdom of God is in your midst. d”

22 Then He said to the disciples, “The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. 23 People will tell you, ‘Look, there He is!’ or ‘Look, here He is!’ Do not go out or chase after them. 24 For just as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other, so will be the Son of Man in His day. 25 But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.

26 Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man: 27 People were eating and drinking, marrying and being given in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.

28 It was the same in the days of Lot: People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. 29 But on the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all.

30 It will be just like that on the day the Son of Man is revealed. 31 On that day, let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve his possessions. Likewise, let no one in the field return for anything he has left behind. 32 Remember Lot’s wife! 33 Whoever tries to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it. 34 I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed: one will be taken and the other left. 35 Two women will be grinding grain together: one will be taken and the other left.” e

37 “Where, Lord?” they asked.

Jesus answered, “Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.”

Footnotes:

12 a A leper  was one afflicted with a skin disease. See Leviticus 13.
14 b See Leviticus 14:1–32.
19 c Or has saved you
21 d Or within you  or within your grasp
35 e TR includes 36Two men will be in the field. One will be taken and the other left ; see Matthew 24:40.

Temptations and Trespasses

(Matthew 18:7-9; Mark 9:42-50)

1And he said unto the disciples, 'It is impossible for the stumbling blocks not to come, but woe to him through whom they come; 2it is more profitable to him if a weighty millstone is put round about his neck, and he hath been cast into the sea, than that he may cause one of these little ones to stumble. 3'Take heed to yourselves, and, if thy brother may sin in regard to thee, rebuke him, and if he may reform, forgive him, 4and if seven times in the day he may sin against thee, and seven times in the day may turn back to thee, saying, I reform; thou shalt forgive him.'

The Power of Faith

(Matthew 17:14-21; Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-42)

5And the apostles said to the Lord, 'Add to us faith;' 6and the Lord said, 'If ye had faith as a grain of mustard, ye would have said to this sycamine, Be uprooted, and be planted in the sea, and it would have obeyed you.

7'But, who is he of you -- having a servant ploughing or feeding -- who, to him having come in out of the field, will say, Having come near, recline at meat? 8but will not rather say to him, Prepare what I may sup, and having girded thyself about, minister to me, till I eat and drink, and after these things thou shalt eat and drink? 9Hath he favour to that servant because he did the things directed? I think not. 10'So also ye, when ye may have done all the things directed you, say -- We are unprofitable servants, because that which we owed to do -- we have done.'

Jesus Heals Ten Lepers

(2 Kings 5:1-14)

11And it came to pass, in his going on to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee, 12and he entering into a certain village, there met him ten leprous men, who stood afar off, 13and they lifted up the voice, saying, 'Jesus, master, deal kindly with us;' 14and having seen them, he said to them, 'Having gone on, shew yourselves to the priests;' and it came to pass, in their going, they were cleansed, 15and one of them having seen that he was healed did turn back, with a loud voice glorifying God, 16and he fell upon his face at his feet, giving thanks to him, and he was a Samaritan. 17And Jesus answering said, 'Were not the ten cleansed, and the nine -- where? 18There were not found who did turn back to give glory to God, except this alien;' 19and he said to him, 'Having risen, be going on, thy faith hath saved thee.'

The Coming of the Kingdom

20And having been questioned by the Pharisees, when the reign of God doth come, he answered them, and said, 'The reign of God doth not come with observation; 21nor shall they say, Lo, here; or lo, there; for lo, the reign of God is within you.'

22And he said unto his disciples, 'Days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and ye shall not behold it; 23and they shall say to you, Lo, here; or lo, there; ye may not go away, nor follow; 24for as the lightning that is lightening out of the one part under heaven, to the other part under heaven doth shine, so shall be also the Son of Man in his day; 25and first it behoveth him to suffer many things, and to be rejected by this generation. 26'And, as it came to pass in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of Man; 27they were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were given in marriage, till the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the deluge came, and destroyed all; 28in like manner also, as it came to pass in the days of Lot; they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building; 29and on the day Lot went forth from Sodom, He rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed all. 30'According to these things it shall be, in the day the Son of Man is revealed; 31in that day, he who shall be on the house top, and his vessels in the house, let him not come down to take them away; and he in the field, in like manner, let him not turn backward; 32remember the wife of Lot. 33Whoever may seek to save his life, shall lose it; and whoever may lose it, shall preserve it. 34'I say to you, In that night, there shall be two men on one couch, the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left; 35two women shall be grinding at the same place together, the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left; 36two men shall be in the field, the one shall be taken, and the other left.' 37And they answering say to him, 'Where, sir?' and he said to them, 'Where the body is, there will the eagles be gathered together.'

The Favor of God Message paraphrase

Warnings About Sin and Forgiveness

¹ Jesus said to His disciples, “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. ² It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble. ³ So watch yourselves! If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. ⁴ Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them!”

Faith as Small as a Mustard Seed

⁵ The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” ⁶ He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.

The Parable of the Unworthy Servants

⁷ “Suppose one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Will he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? ⁸ Won’t he rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’? ⁹ Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? ¹⁰ So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”

Jesus Heals Ten Men with Leprosy

¹¹ Now on His way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. ¹² As He was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met Him. They stood at a distance ¹³ and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” ¹⁴ When He saw them, He said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. ¹⁵ One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. ¹⁶ He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked Him—and he was a Samaritan.

¹⁷ Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? ¹⁸ Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” ¹⁹ Then He said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

The Coming of the Kingdom of God

²⁰ Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, ²¹ nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.”

²² Then He said to His disciples, “The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. ²³ People will tell you, ‘There He is!’ or ‘Here He is!’ Do not go running off after them. ²⁴ For the Son of Man in His day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other. ²⁵ But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.

²⁶ “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. ²⁷ People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. ²⁸ “It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. ²⁹ But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. ³⁰ “It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. ³¹ On that day no one who is on the housetop, with possessions inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything. ³² Remember Lot’s wife! ³³ Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it. ³⁴ I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. ³⁵ Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.”

³⁷ “Where, Lord?” they asked.

He replied, “Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather.”

Footnotes:

17:2: The metaphor of the millstone symbolizes the seriousness of causing spiritual harm to others, particularly the vulnerable.

17:6: The mustard seed, though small, illustrates the power of even the tiniest faith when fully exercised in trust.

17:10: The parable of the unworthy servants emphasizes humility and doing what is right without seeking reward.

17:12: Leprosy in biblical times was a severe condition that caused social isolation, making Jesus’ healing a profound act of restoration.

17:18: The Samaritan leper’s gratitude highlights the contrast between the outsider’s response and the neglect of the others.

17:21: The kingdom of God being “in your midst” speaks to the present reality of God’s rule through Jesus, not merely a future expectation.

17:26: The comparison to the days of Noah emphasizes the sudden and unexpected nature of the Son of Man’s return, which will catch people unprepared.

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of Luke 17?

1.1Introduction to Luke 17

1.2Context of Luke 17

1.3Ancient Key Word Study

1.4Compare & Contrast

1.5Luke 17 Unique Insights

1.6Luke 17 Connections to Yeshua

1.7Luke 17 Scriptural Echoes

1.8Luke 17 Devotional

1.9Did You Know

What is the meaning of Luke 17?

Introduction to Luke 17

Luke 17 stands as a pivotal chapter in the Gospel narrative, where Yeshua (Jesus) delivers profound teachings about faith, forgiveness, gratitude, and the coming Kingdom of God. This chapter uniquely captures both intimate discipleship instructions and sweeping eschatological revelations, demonstrating the multifaceted nature of the Messiah’s ministry.

The chapter’s significance lies in its practical wisdom for daily spiritual living while simultaneously pointing to the grand cosmic narrative of God’s redemptive plan. Through a series of teachings and a powerful miracle, we witness Yeshua preparing His disciples for both their immediate mission and the future realities of His Kingdom.

Context of Luke 17

Within Luke’s Gospel, chapter 17 falls within the larger travel narrative (Luke 9:51-19:27) where Yeshua is journeying toward Jerusalem and His appointed destiny. This positioning is crucial as it represents a time of intensive discipleship training, where the Messiah is preparing His followers for the challenges and responsibilities that lie ahead.

The immediate context follows teachings about wealth, stewardship, and the Kingdom of God in chapter 16. These themes continue but shift focus to address the disciples’ specific concerns about faith, duty, and the nature of God’s Kingdom. The chapter serves as a bridge between the practical teachings about daily living and the eschatological discourse that will come in chapter 21.

Looking at the broader biblical narrative, Luke 17 echoes themes found throughout Scripture. The teachings on forgiveness reflect the heart of Psalm 103:12, while the eschatological warnings parallel those found in Genesis 19 and various prophetic texts. This interweaving of themes demonstrates Luke’s careful crafting of his Gospel to show how Yeshua fulfills and expands upon the Hebrew Scriptures.

Ancient Key Word Study

Skandala (σκάνδαλα, stumbling blocks) – This Greek term originally referred to the trigger of a trap or snare. In verse 1, it carries the weighty meaning of anything that causes another to sin. The word choice emphasizes the serious nature of leading others astray, as it implies not just passive influence but active enticement.
Epitimēson (ἐπιτίμησον, rebuke) – Used in verse 3, this word carries judicial connotations in Greek literature. It’s stronger than mere criticism, suggesting authoritative correction with the goal of restoration. The same word is used when Yeshua rebukes demons and storms, showing the power inherent in proper spiritual correction.
Metanoēsē (μετανοήσῃ, repents) – Appearing in verse 4, this term literally means “to change one’s mind” but carries the deeper Hebrew concept of teshuvah (תשובה) – complete turning from sin. The present subjunctive form suggests ongoing action, indicating genuine repentance as a process rather than a single event.
Prostithēmi (προστίθημι, increase) – In verse 5’s request for increased faith, this verb literally means “to add to.” Its usage suggests that faith can grow quantitatively, challenging common assumptions about faith being purely qualitative.
Sukaminos (συκάμινος, mulberry tree) – Mentioned in verse 6, this specific tree was known for its deep, tenacious root system. Its selection for the faith illustration was intentional, emphasizing the seemingly impossible nature of the task.
Eucharistēsas (εὐχαριστήσας, gave thanks) – Used in verse 16 regarding the Samaritan leper, this word is the source of our term “Eucharist.” It represents not just verbal gratitude but a deep recognition of grace received.
Basileia (βασιλεία, kingdom) – In verses 20-21, this term for “kingdom” carries both present and future connotations, reflecting the “already but not yet” nature of God’s reign. The word choice maintains continuity with the Davidic kingdom while expanding its scope.
Enthos (ἐντός, within/among) – The precise meaning of this word in verse 21 has significant theological implications. It can mean either “within you” or “among you,” leading to different understandings of how God’s kingdom manifests.
Mnēmoneuete (μνημονεύετε, remember) – The command to “remember Lot’s wife” in verse 32 uses a present imperative, suggesting continuous action. This word choice emphasizes the ongoing relevance of past biblical events for present spiritual formation.

Compare & Contrast

The choice of παραδεῖναι (paradeinai, offend) in verse 2 instead of the simpler ἁμαρτάνω (hamartanō, sin) emphasizes the specific nature of causing others to stumble rather than personal transgression. This nuance carried particular weight in the first-century Jewish context where community responsibility was paramount.
In verse 4’s teaching on forgiveness, the phrase “seven times in a day” uses ἑπτάκις (heptakis) rather than πολλάκις (pollakis, many times). This specific number choice echoes the perfect divine number seven, suggesting complete, perfect forgiveness rather than merely multiple instances.
The mustard seed metaphor in verse 6 employs κόκκον (kokkon) specifically rather than σπέρμα (sperma), emphasizing the seed’s tiny size rather than its reproductive potential. This word choice focuses attention on faith’s quality rather than quantity.
In verse 7-10, the master-servant relationship uses δοῦλος (doulos) rather than διάκονος (diakonos), emphasizing complete submission rather than voluntary service. This distinction was particularly meaningful in a culture familiar with both types of service relationships.
The description of the lepers’ healing in verse 14 uses καθαρίζω (katharizō) rather than θεραπεύω (therapeuō), emphasizing ritual cleanliness over mere physical healing. This choice reflects the social and religious implications of leprosy in Jewish society.
In verse 20, the phrase “careful observation” (παρατηρήσεως) was chosen over simpler terms for watching, suggesting the kind of systematic observation used in astronomy. This choice critiques the Pharisaic approach to identifying the Kingdom.
The apocalyptic imagery in verses 24-37 deliberately echoes Genesis’s flood narrative vocabulary, using terms like τρώγοντες (trōgontes, eating) that appear in the Septuagint’s flood account. This connection reinforces the parallel between Noah’s and the Son of Man’s days.

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Luke 17 Unique Insights

The chapter contains several layers of meaning that would have resonated deeply with its original audience. The teaching about stumbling blocks (skandala) in verses 1-2 likely referenced the contemporary debate among Jewish leaders about accommodation to Greco-Roman culture. The severe warning about millstones reflected actual Roman punishment practices, making the metaphor particularly vivid for Luke’s readers.

The seemingly awkward placement of the servant parable (verses 7-10) takes on new significance when viewed through the lens of ancient Mediterranean patron-client relationships. The concept of doing what is required without expectation of thanks challenged both Greek philosophical ideas about virtue and Roman social conventions about honor. This teaching redefined service in terms of relationship rather than transaction.

Rabbinic literature provides interesting parallels to several teachings in this chapter. The Babylonian Talmud (Bava Metzia 58b) contains similar warnings about causing others to sin, suggesting these were widely discussed ethical issues in first-century Judaism. The debate about the Kingdom’s coming (verses 20-21) reflects contemporary Jewish apocalyptic expectations, with some rabbis teaching about visible signs and others emphasizing internal preparation.

Early church father Origen commented extensively on the phrase “the kingdom of God is within you,” seeing it as a key text for understanding the relationship between internal spiritual transformation and external manifestation of God’s reign. His interpretation influenced Eastern Christian mysticism’s emphasis on interior life.

The healing of the ten lepers carries particular significance in light of archaeological evidence showing segregated leper communities outside ancient cities. The fact that Jews and Samaritans suffered together in these colonies adds poignancy to the story’s emphasis on gratitude transcending ethnic boundaries.

Luke 17 Connections to Yeshua

This chapter powerfully demonstrates Yeshua’s divine authority while simultaneously highlighting His servant nature. His teachings on forgiveness and faith reveal His role as the ultimate teacher of Israel, fulfilling the prophecy of Deuteronomy 18:15 about a prophet like Moses. The healing of the lepers demonstrates His power to cleanse both physically and spiritually, pointing to His role as the ultimate High Priest who can declare people clean.

The eschatological teachings about the Son of Man’s day directly connect to Daniel 7:13-14, where the Son of Man receives an eternal kingdom. Yeshua’s use of this title for Himself, combined with His teachings about the kingdom’s present reality “among you,” creates a powerful theological statement about His identity as both the humble servant and the glorious coming King. This dual nature perfectly fulfills seemingly contradictory messianic prophecies about a suffering servant and triumphant ruler.

Luke 17 Scriptural Echoes

The chapter resonates with numerous Old Testament themes and prophecies. The teaching about faith moving mountains echoes Zechariah 4:6-7, where mountains become plains before Zerubbabel. The healing of the lepers recalls 2 Kings 5, where Naaman the Syrian is cleansed, prefiguring the gospel’s extension to Gentiles.

The eschatological warnings deliberately parallel Genesis 19 (Lot’s wife) and Genesis 7 (Noah’s flood), establishing a pattern of divine judgment and deliverance. The sudden nature of these events echoes Malachi 3:1, where the Lord comes suddenly to His temple.

Yeshua’s teachings about the kingdom not coming with observation recall Isaiah 40:3-5, where the glory of the Lord is revealed in unexpected ways. The theme of grateful recognition by foreigners (the Samaritan leper) connects to prophecies like Isaiah 56:1-8 about foreigners joining themselves to the Lord.

Luke 17 Devotional

This chapter challenges us to examine our faith’s practical expression in daily life. The teachings on forgiveness remind us that our vertical relationship with God must be reflected in our horizontal relationships with others. Just as we have received unlimited forgiveness from our Heavenly Father, we are called to extend that same grace to those who wrong us, even repeatedly.

The story of the ten lepers provides a powerful lesson about gratitude. Like the nine who were healed but didn’t return to give thanks, we often take God’s blessings for granted. The Samaritan’s return challenges us to cultivate a heart of thanksgiving, recognizing that every good gift comes from above.

The eschatological teachings remind us to live with eternal perspective. Like Noah and Lot, we are called to live faithfully in a world that often ignores spiritual realities. This means maintaining spiritual alertness while engaging fully in our daily responsibilities, always ready for our Lord’s return.

Did You Know

The millstone mentioned in verse 2 refers specifically to a mulos onikos (μύλος ὀνικός) – a massive stone turned by donkey power, not the smaller household varieties. This detail emphasizes the severity of the judgment being described.
The Samaritan leper’s return to thank Yeshua would have involved crossing significant cultural and religious boundaries, as Samaritans typically avoided Jerusalem-bound Jews. His actions demonstrate faith overcoming deep-seated social prejudices.
The Greek word for “increase” in the disciples’ request for more faith (Prosthes) is the same word used in the Septuagint when God “added” to Adam’s rib to create Eve, suggesting a divine creative act in faith development.
The description of the kingdom coming “without observation” uses a technical term (parateresis) employed in astronomy and weather forecasting, possibly critiquing contemporary apocalyptic speculation based on celestial signs.
The command to “remember Lot’s wife” is the only place in the New Testament where this figure is mentioned by name, emphasizing the enduring significance of this cautionary tale from Genesis.
The gathering of vultures mentioned in verse 37 likely refers to the black kite, a bird that migrates in large groups over Israel and would have been a familiar sight to Jesus’s audience.
The phrase “kingdom of God is within you” uses the Greek word “entos,” which has sparked centuries of debate. It can mean either “within you” individually or “among you” collectively, leading to different interpretations of Jesus’s teaching.
The description of people eating, drinking, and marrying uses specific Greek terms that parallel the Septuagint’s description of life before the flood, creating a deliberate connection between these two judgment narratives.
The healing of the lepers “as they went” reflects actual Jewish purification protocols, where healed lepers had to present themselves to priests for ceremonial cleansing before rejoining society.
The number ten in the leper story may be significant, as ten was the minimum number required for a Jewish synagogue congregation, suggesting these lepers had formed their own community of outcasts.

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Bible Themes

Jean Paul Joseph

After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. What is the F.O.G?

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