The Gospels · Chapter 17 of 24

Luke 17

Jesus warns against causing others to stumble, commands generous forgiveness, and answers the apostles' plea for greater faith. He teaches humble service as unprofitable servants, heals ten lepers of whom only a Samaritan returns to give thanks, and describes the sudden, unmistakable coming of the kingdom and the Son of man, urging watchfulness with the warning, Remember Lot's wife.

What happens in Luke 17

Jesus tells his disciples that offences will come, but woe to those through whom they come; it would be better to be drowned than to cause a little one to stumble. He commands them to forgive a repentant brother even seven times a day. When the apostles ask for more faith, he answers that faith like a mustard seed uproots trees, then likens them to servants who simply do their duty. Traveling toward Jerusalem, he heals ten lepers at a distance; only one, a Samaritan, returns to glorify God, and Jesus notes the nine who did not.

Questioned about the kingdom's arrival, he says it comes not with observation but is within their midst. He then warns that the day of the Son of man will be sudden like lightning, like the days of Noah and Lot, demanding readiness and no looking back.

Luke 17 in context

Luke 17 falls within the long journey to Jerusalem. It gathers varied teachings on discipleship: forgiveness, faith, humility, gratitude, and the future coming of the Son of man. The healing of the ten lepers, unique to Luke, highlights his recurring interest in outsiders and Samaritans who respond in faith.

The eschatological section parallels Matthew 24, but Luke frames it as instruction to disciples along the way.

Main themes of Luke 17

Luke 17 (KJV)

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. 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. 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. 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.

Verses to carry from Luke 17

“And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.”Luke 17:5

“And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.”Luke 17:19

“Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.”Luke 17:21

Reflection

Which blessings have you received and then quickly forgotten? Jesus heals ten but is sought by only one. Turn back today, fall at his feet, and give him thanks. And where forgiveness of another feels impossible, ask him to increase the faith that makes such mercy possible.

A prayer from Luke 17