Luke Chapter 17 — Faith, Gratitude, and the Kingdom
Jesus teaches about forgiveness and faith, heals ten lepers, and warns the disciples to be prepared for the sudden arrival of the Kingdom of God.
1He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no occasions of stumbling should come, but woe to him through whom they come!
2It 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.
3Be careful. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him. If he repents, forgive him.
4If he sins against you seven times in the day, and seven times returns, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”
5The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”
6The 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.
7But 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’?
8Wouldn’t he rather tell him, ‘Prepare my supper, clothe yourself properly, and serve me while I eat and drink. Afterward you shall eat and drink’?
9Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded? I think not.
10Even so you also, when you have done all the things that are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy servants. We have done our duty.’ ”
11As he was on his way to Jerusalem, he was passing along the borders of Samaria and Galilee.
12As he entered into a certain village, ten men who were lepers met him, who stood at a distance.
13They lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
14When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” As they went, they were cleansed.
15One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice.
16He fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks; and he was a Samaritan.
17Jesus answered, “Weren’t the ten cleansed? But where are the nine?
18Were there none found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?”
19Then he said to him, “Get up, and go your way. Your faith has healed you.”
20Being asked by the Pharisees when God’s Kingdom would come, he answered them, “God’s Kingdom doesn’t come with observation;
21neither will they say, ‘Look, here!’ or, ‘Look, there!’ for behold, God’s Kingdom is within you.”
22He 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.
23They will tell you, ‘Look, here!’ or ‘Look, there!’ Don’t go away or follow after them,
24for as the lightning, when it flashes out of one part under the sky, shines to another part under the sky, so will the Son of Man be in his day.
25But first, he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.
26As it was in the days of Noah, even so it will also be in the days of the Son of Man.
27They ate, they drank, they married, and they were given in marriage until the day that Noah entered into the ship, and the flood came and destroyed them all.
28Likewise, even as it was in the days of Lot: they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built;
29but in the day that Lot went out from Sodom, it rained fire and sulfur from the sky and destroyed them all.
30It will be the same way in the day that the Son of Man is revealed.
31In 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.
32Remember Lot’s wife!
33Whoever seeks to save his life loses it, but whoever loses his life preserves it.
34I tell you, in that night there will be two people in one bed. One will be taken and the other will be left.
35There will be two grinding grain together. One will be taken and the other will be left.”
36*Some Greek manuscripts add: “Two will be in the field: the one taken, and the other left.”
37They, answering, asked him, “Where, Lord?”
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Luke 17:6
“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.””
This verse illustrates that the quality of faith is more significant than the quantity when it comes to God's power.
Luke 17:21
“neither will they say, ‘Look, here!’ or, ‘Look, there!’ for behold, God’s Kingdom is within you.”
Jesus clarifies that the Kingdom of God is a spiritual reality rather than a visible political entity.
Luke 17:32
“Remember Lot’s wife!”
This short command serves as a stark warning against looking back at a worldly life when called to follow God.
Chapter Summary
In Luke chapter 17, Jesus provides instructions on communal living, emphasizing the importance of avoiding causing others to stumble and the necessity of repeated forgiveness for those who repent. When the apostles request more faith, Jesus explains that even faith as small as a mustard seed is powerful, yet reminds them that their obedience is simply their duty as servants. While traveling between Samaria and Galilee, Jesus heals ten lepers; notably, only one—a Samaritan—returns to express gratitude. In response to the Pharisees' questions about when God's Kingdom will arrive, Jesus explains that the Kingdom is already present within or among them. He concludes with a warning about the coming of the Son of Man, comparing it to the days of Noah and Lot, where judgment came suddenly. He urges his followers to stay focused on the Kingdom rather than worldly possessions, famously reminding them to 'Remember Lot’s wife.'
Frequently Asked Questions
Jesus instructs his disciples to rebuke a brother who sins, but to forgive them every time they return and repent, even if it happens seven times in a single day.
Although ten men were cleansed of their leprosy, only one—a Samaritan foreigner—returned to thank Jesus and glorify God, demonstrating that faith and gratitude are more than just physical healing.
Jesus was explaining to the Pharisees that the Kingdom was not something they could find by looking for external signs, but was already present through his own ministry and the spiritual change it brings.
Study Note
The mention of the border between Samaria and Galilee in verse 11 sets the stage for the healing of the Samaritan leper, highlighting Jesus' reach beyond traditional Jewish boundaries.
Related Chapters
Matthew 18
Matthew 18 contains parallel teachings on stumbling blocks and the importance of forgiveness.
Genesis 19
This chapter provides the background for Jesus' reference to Lot and his wife during the destruction of Sodom.
Luke 18
The next chapter continues Jesus' teachings on prayer, humility, and the nature of the Kingdom.
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