Luke 17 7

Luke 17:7 kjv

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?

Luke 17:7 nkjv

And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and sit down to eat'?

Luke 17:7 niv

"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'?

Luke 17:7 esv

"Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and recline at table'?

Luke 17:7 nlt

"When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, does his master say, 'Come in and eat with me'?

Luke 17 verses

Luke 17 7 Meaning

Luke 17:7 presents a rhetorical question illustrating the common and expected master-servant dynamic of the time. It highlights that a master does not immediately invite a servant who has been performing laborious outdoor tasks (plowing or tending sheep) to sit down and eat upon returning home. Instead, the unspoken expectation is that the servant would first fulfill further domestic duties before attending to his own needs or rest. This sets the stage for the parable's conclusion, emphasizing that human service to God, no matter how diligent or seemingly impressive, is simply the fulfillment of duty, and we are not to expect special commendation or gratitude from God for merely doing what we are obligated to do.

Luke 17 7 Context

Luke 17 begins with warnings about causing others to stumble and the necessity of forgiveness (vv. 1-4). Following this, the disciples request the Lord to "increase our faith" (v. 5), prompting Jesus to speak about the power of faith (v. 6), which can move a mulberry tree. The parable of the master and the servant, starting with verse 7, directly follows this discussion. It functions as an explanation regarding the nature of Christian service and discipleship. The point is that even extraordinary faith (like moving a tree) or diligent service is not to be a source of pride or an expectation of special reward or commendation from God. Disciples are called to understand that doing what God commands, even miraculous feats or unwavering faithfulness, is simply fulfilling their inherent duty. Historically, master-servant relationships in ancient agrarian societies were well-understood, with servants performing strenuous and long hours of labor. Their day did not end with field work; domestic duties within the master's household were also expected. There's no direct polemic against contemporary beliefs in this specific verse, but the broader parable in verses 7-10 subtly challenges any notions of meritorious work earning divine favor or the idea that God "owes" someone for their good deeds. It underscores divine grace rather than human earning.

Luke 17 7 Word analysis

• And which of you (τίς ἐξ ὑμῶν - tis ex hymōn): A rhetorical question, common in Jesus' teaching. It assumes a shared understanding and obvious answer from the audience. This connects the abstract principle to their daily, lived experience.
• having a servant (δοῦλον ἔχων - doulon echōn): The term doulos (δοῦλος) literally means "slave" or "bond-servant." It implies complete ownership and submission. This term is consistently used in the New Testament to describe the relationship of believers to God, emphasizing absolute devotion and belonging. It is not merely an employee relationship but one of full commitment and duty.
• plowing (ἀροτριῶν - arotrion): From arotriaō (ἀροτριάω), meaning "to plow." This indicates arduous, physical outdoor labor crucial to agriculture in ancient Palestine. It represents the demanding and fundamental tasks of a servant.
• or tending sheep (ἢ ποιμαίνοντα - ē poimainonta): From poimainō (ποιμαίνω), meaning "to shepherd" or "to tend a flock." Another primary outdoor labor, often involving solitude, vigilance, and protection. It denotes long hours and significant responsibility for the master's valuable assets.
• will say to him (ἐρεῖ αὐτῷ - erei autō): Refers to the master speaking to the servant.
• when he has come in from the field (εὐθέως ἐλθόντι ἐκ τοῦ ἀγροῦ - eutheōs elthonti ek tou agrou): "Immediately upon returning from the field." The immediate return highlights that the servant's workday is far from over, despite having completed one arduous segment. The expectation of immediate personal comfort is absent.
• 'Come at once (Εὐθέως παρελθὼν - Eutheōs parelthōn)': "Immediately come" or "at once step forward." The imperative signifies an expectation of service, not leisure.
• and sit down to eat (ἀνάπεσε - anapese): "Recline at the table." This would be the position for a guest or a free person dining, a position of rest and personal indulgence. The question implies this would not be the master's first command.

Words-group analysis:

• "And which of you, having a servant...": This opening grounds the parable in relatable, everyday master-servant dynamics. It directly engages the disciples' understanding of responsibility and expectation.
• "...plowing or tending sheep...": These phrases vividly portray the common and demanding agricultural tasks of the era. They emphasize the physical, long hours, and outdoor nature of a servant's work, which formed the bulk of their duty.
• "...when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and sit down to eat'?": This phrase contrasts the completed demanding outdoor labor with the immediate offer of personal comfort and rest. The rhetorical nature makes it clear such an offer would be absurd under the social customs of the time. The implication is that further domestic service is expected first.

Luke 17 7 Bonus section

The parable embedded within Luke 17:7-10 counters tendencies towards legalism or spiritual pride, where individuals might feel their obedience or spiritual discipline entitles them to a higher standing or specific blessings from God. It shifts the focus from merit-based thinking to duty and grace. Even miraculous faith (as discussed in verse 6) does not release the servant from humble duty, but rather underscores that such faith enables further service. This principle serves as a warning against developing a mindset that demands thanks or a specific reward from God for merely doing what is inherently required. The true reward is found in the joy of pleasing the Master and participating in His kingdom, a privilege granted by grace, not earned by merit. The "unprofitable servant" of Luke 17:10 (ἀχρεῖοι δοῦλοι - achreioi douloi) implies "good-for-nothing" or "unnecessary," meaning they add nothing extra to the master beyond what is already owed, reinforcing that human "profits" or "earnings" are insignificant in light of divine grace.

Luke 17 7 Commentary

Luke 17:7 introduces a foundational concept about divine service: God, as the supreme Master, does not owe us anything for merely doing what we are commanded. The common cultural practice of the time was that a master's servant, even after exhausting field labor, was expected to attend to further household duties—such as preparing the master's meal—before eating his own. The servant's initial field work, while essential, was not the end of their responsibilities or a trigger for immediate commendation or reward. This illustration serves as a crucial teaching for disciples. It subtly dismantles any human-centric view of righteousness or spiritual earning, where one expects gratitude or merit from God for acts of obedience. Instead, it reasserts the theological reality that humanity's position before God is one of complete dependency and absolute duty. Our "service" is simply the appropriate response to our status as God's servants and is part of what we are created for. It is not an act that puts God in our debt, nor does it elevate us to a special, privileged position that bypasses further obligations.

• Example: A faithful volunteer spends hours tirelessly working at a community soup kitchen. While their dedication is commendable, they wouldn't expect the director to stop mid-meal preparation for everyone else to personally serve them first. Instead, they would typically join in preparing food for others or cleaning up.
• Example: A child who cleans their room as asked by a parent does not expect special payment or a commendation parade. It is an expected part of their responsibility within the household.
• Example: A soldier performing their assigned duties, however arduous, doesn't expect special thanks beyond standard protocols. They are fulfilling their sworn duty to their country.