Luke 17 1

Luke 17:1 kjv

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

Luke 17:1 nkjv

Then He said to the disciples, "It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!

Luke 17:1 niv

Jesus said to his disciples: "Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come.

Luke 17:1 esv

And he said to his disciples, "Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!

Luke 17:1 nlt

One day Jesus said to his disciples, "There will always be temptations to sin, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting!

Luke 17 verses

Luke 17 1 Meaning

Luke 17:1 warns against causing others to stumble spiritually, emphasizing the severe consequences for those who lead even the "little ones" astray. Jesus teaches that stumbling blocks will inevitably come, but woe awaits the person through whom they come. It underlines the grave responsibility of believers to avoid becoming an impediment to another's faith, highlighting God's abhorrence of spiritual harm to the vulnerable.

Luke 17 1 Context

Luke 17:1 serves as a foundational ethical teaching by Jesus to His disciples, delivered immediately after His parables on the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16), which highlighted judgment and eternal consequences for neglecting the vulnerable. While Luke 16 concludes with Abraham's statement about Moses and the Prophets, Luke 17 pivots sharply to a warning about the responsibility of those who proclaim God's truth. The verse introduces a series of teachings including forgiveness (vv. 3-4), faith (vv. 5-6), humble service (vv. 7-10), and the coming of the Kingdom (vv. 20-37). It establishes a severe standard of conduct for those within the nascent Christian community, particularly regarding their influence on others. Historically and culturally, it addresses a society where spiritual leaders had significant sway, often binding burdens on people (Matt 23:4). The "little ones" likely refers to new believers, those weak in faith, or even humble, unsuspecting individuals susceptible to negative influence, contrasting with the self-important religious elites. It sets the tone for the ethical demands of discipleship in light of God's holy character.

Luke 17 1 Word analysis

• Then (ἔπειτα - epeita): Indicates a sequential connection from previous teaching. It transitions from discussions about money and stewardship to the more personal ethical responsibility of disciples.
• He said (εἶπεν - eipen): A direct teaching from Jesus to His disciples, underscoring its authoritative and imperative nature.
• to the disciples (πρὸς τοὺς μαθητάς - pros tous mathētas): Specifies the primary audience. This teaching is explicitly for those committed to following Him, placing a weighty responsibility on believers, not just the general public.
• It is impossible (ἀδύνατον - adynaton): From 'a' (not) and 'dynamis' (power); literally "without power," impossible. It doesn't mean it won't happen, but rather that it cannot not happen; offenses are an inevitable part of a fallen world. This isn't a theological fatalism but a realistic observation of human sinfulness.
• but that offenses (μὴ ἐλθεῖν τὰ σκάνδαλα - mē elthein ta skandala):
  • offenses (σκάνδαλα - skandala): From which we get "scandal." Originally referred to the bait-stick of a trap, a snare, or a stumbling block that causes one to fall. In a moral and spiritual sense, it refers to anything that causes another to stumble, fall into sin, lose faith, or be led astray. It implies actions, words, or attitudes that trip up another person spiritually.
  • but that...come (μὴ ἐλθεῖν - mē elthein): Emphasizes the inevitability of such stumbling blocks appearing in the world. This inevitability does not absolve responsibility but highlights the need for vigilance.
• should come (ἔρχεσθαι - erchesthai): Greek verb in infinitive, emphasizing the state of coming or existing. Stumbling blocks are a persistent reality.
• But woe (Πλὴν οὐαὶ - Plēn ouai): "Woe" is a strong expression of condemnation, lament, and a declaration of divine judgment. It signifies profound sorrow and severe consequences. It separates the inevitability of offenses from the guilt of the one who causes them.
• to him through whom (δι’ οὗ - di' hou): Points directly to the instrument or agent. The focus shifts from the abstract concept of stumbling blocks to the concrete individual responsible for causing them.
• they come (ἔρχεται - erchetai): Present tense, indicating that the responsibility and consequences apply to ongoing or recurring actions of causing others to stumble.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• It is impossible but that offenses should come: This phrase asserts the unavoidable reality of spiritual temptations and hindrances in the world due to sin and the forces of evil. It does not excuse them, but rather sets the stage for the severe warning against being an active participant in their creation.
• But woe to him through whom they come: This powerful declaration pronounces a severe judgment and sorrowful consequence upon the person who serves as the channel or agent for these stumbling blocks. Despite the inevitability of stumbling blocks existing, an individual is still fully accountable and will face grave repercussions if they are the source of another's spiritual downfall. The focus shifts from cosmic inevitability to personal culpability.

Luke 17 1 Bonus section

The concept of skandalon (stumbling block) is deeply rooted in both the Old and New Testaments. In the Septuagint (Greek OT), skandalon often translates Hebrew terms like moqesh (snare) or mikshol (stumbling block), frequently associated with idols or practices that lead God's people astray from Him (e.g., Lev 19:14, Ps 69:22, Isa 8:14, Jer 6:21). Thus, Jesus' use of the term echoes a long-standing biblical concern for spiritual purity and avoidance of apostasy. The emphasis on "woe" for those causing others to stumble highlights the communal aspect of faith, where individual actions have repercussions far beyond oneself, especially for those in positions of influence within the covenant community. The Greek perfect infinitive of elthein implies that the coming of offenses is not a future event, but a persistent and established reality. This deep concern for the spiritual well-being of the "little ones" (Matt 18:6, Mark 9:42) also foreshadows the early church's constant struggle with internal disunity and external pressures that threatened the faith of its weaker members, leading to teachings found in Pauline epistles about spiritual liberties and sensitivities (Rom 14, 1 Cor 8).

Luke 17 1 Commentary

Luke 17:1 encapsulates a critical ethical teaching of Jesus, warning His disciples about the immense spiritual responsibility associated with their influence. The inevitability of "offenses" (stumbling blocks) arising in the world is acknowledged as a grim reality, a product of a fallen human condition and spiritual warfare. However, this inevitability does not diminish personal culpability. On the contrary, Jesus pronounces a severe "woe" – a divine pronouncement of judgment and sorrow – upon any individual who, through their actions, words, or example, causes another, particularly the vulnerable or "little ones," to falter in their faith or fall into sin. This teaching emphasizes God's profound care for His people, especially the humble and weak, and His fierce opposition to anything that obstructs their spiritual growth or salvation. It serves as a potent reminder for all believers to guard their conduct meticulously, lest they become an impediment rather than a guide in another's spiritual journey. It implies that true discipleship involves not only personal holiness but also a careful consideration of one's impact on others' walk with God.

Example:

• A mature believer openly engages in an activity (e.g., watching certain secular media or indulging in excess) that, while not strictly sinful for them, causes a new convert struggling with temptation to relapse into old habits.
• A Christian leader whose divisive words cause members of the church to become disillusioned and leave the faith.