Teachings on Temptation, Forgiveness, and Duty
Luke 17:1-10
Luke.17.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- προς: PREP
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- μαθητας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- αυτου·Ανενδεκτον: PRON,gen,sg,m+ADJ,nom,sg,n
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- σκανδαλα: NOUN,nom,pl,n
- μη: PART
- ελθειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- πλην: PREP
- ουαι: INTJ
- δι᾽ου: PREP+REL,gen,sg,m
- ερχεται·: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Matthew 18:7 (verbal): Direct Gospel parallel: the same saying about the necessity of offenses coming and the woe on the one through whom they come.
- Mark 9:42 (thematic): Strong warning against causing others (especially 'little ones') to stumble; echoes the severe consequences for those who provoke sin.
- Matthew 18:6 (thematic): Jesus' pronouncement that causing a 'little one' to sin incurs grave judgment—same concern with causing scandal.
- Matthew 5:29-30 (thematic): Radical ethical instruction to remove whatever causes sin, reflecting the seriousness of avoiding occasions of stumbling.
- 1 Corinthians 8:9 (thematic): Paulic application: believers must avoid using liberty in ways that become a 'stumbling block' to others, echoing the concern about causing offense or sin.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said to his disciples, 'It is inevitable that stumbling-blocks will come; but woe to the one through whom they come.'
- He said to his disciples, 'It is inevitable that stumbling-blocks will come; but woe to the one through whom they come.'
Luke.17.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- λυσιτελει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- λιθος: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- μυλικος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- περικειται: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,3,sg
- περι: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- τραχηλον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ερριπται: VERB,aor,pass,subj,3,sg
- εις: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- θαλασσαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- ινα: CONJ
- σκανδαλιση: VERB,aor,act,sub,3,sg
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- μικρων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- τουτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- ενα: NUM,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 18:6 (verbal): Near-identical warning that it is better for one who causes 'little ones' to sin to have a millstone hung around their neck and be drowned; the same image and ethical concern.
- Mark 9:42 (verbal): Close verbal parallel with the millstone imagery and the injunction against causing 'little ones' (or those who believe) to stumble; same saying in a different Gospel context.
- Romans 14:13 (thematic): Paul's admonition not to put a stumbling block or hindrance in a brother's way echoes the moral principle of avoiding actions that cause others to sin.
- 1 Corinthians 8:9-13 (thematic): Paul warns that exercising liberty in a way that causes a weaker believer to stumble is harmful; thematic parallel on responsibility to avoid causing others to fall into sin.
Alternative generated candidates
- 'It would be better for him if a millstone were tied about his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble.'
- 'It would be better for him if a millstone were fastened around his neck and he were thrown into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble.'
Luke.17.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- προσεχετε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- εαυτοις: PRON,dat,pl,m
- εαν: CONJ
- αμαρτη: VERB,aor,act,sub,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- αδελφος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- επιτιμησον: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- εαν: CONJ
- μετανοηση: VERB,aor,act,sub,3,sg
- αφες: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,sg
- αυτω·: PRON,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 18:15 (verbal): Directly parallel instruction about confronting a brother who sins — both prescribe addressing the offender to resolve the sin.
- Matthew 5:23-24 (thematic): Emphasizes reconciliation with a brother before worship, aligning with Luke’s concern for restoring relationships when sin occurs.
- Galatians 6:1 (thematic): Admonishes believers to restore a fellow believer caught in sin gently, paralleling Luke’s call to correct and forgive a repentant brother.
- James 5:19-20 (thematic): Urges turning a wandering sinner back to the truth to save them, echoing Luke’s focus on correction leading to repentance and restoration.
- 2 Corinthians 2:5-8 (thematic): Paul exhorts forgiveness and reaffirmation of love for one who caused sorrow, corresponding to Luke’s command to rebuke but forgive if the brother repents.
Alternative generated candidates
- 'Watch yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.'
- 'Watch yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.'
Luke.17.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- εαν: CONJ
- επτακις: ADV
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- ημερας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- αμαρτηση: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
- εις: PREP
- σε: PRON,acc,sg,2
- και: CONJ
- επτακις: ADV
- επιστρεψη: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
- προς: PREP
- σε: PRON,acc,sg,2
- λεγων·Μετανοω: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,m + VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- αφησεις: VERB,fut,act,ind,2,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- Luke 17:3 (structural): Immediate context: the preceding verse gives the basic rule—rebuke a sinning brother and, if he repents, forgive him—of which v.4 is an extension (forgiveness repeated many times).
- Matthew 18:21-22 (verbal): Directly parallel teaching about repeated forgiveness: Peter asks about forgiving seven times and Jesus answers with an even greater number (seventy-seven/ seventy times seven), addressing the same issue.
- Matthew 6:14-15 (thematic): Links forgiveness of others to receiving forgiveness from the Father—same ethical/theological principle that undergirds Jesus' command to forgive repeatedly.
- Matthew 18:23-35 (thematic): Parable of the unforgiving servant illustrates the moral and eschatological consequences of refusing to forgive others despite having been forgiven, reinforcing the demand for repeated mercy.
- Colossians 3:13 (thematic): Paulic ethical exhortation to bear with one another and forgive grievances, echoing Jesus' call to ongoing, mutual forgiveness among believers.
Alternative generated candidates
- 'And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times turns to you, saying, "I repent," you must forgive him.'
- 'And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times turns back to you, saying, "I repent," you must forgive him.'
Luke.17.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- ειπαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- αποστολοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- κυριω·Προσθες: NOUN,dat,sg,m + VERB,aor,act,imp,2,sg
- ημιν: PRON,dat,pl,1
- πιστιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Luke 17:6 (structural): Immediate response to the request—Jesus explains the efficacy of even a mustard‑seed-sized faith and gives the condition for the apostles' petition.
- Matthew 17:20 (verbal): Jesus teaches that faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains, directly paralleling the content of His reply to the apostles' request for more faith.
- Matthew 21:21 (verbal): Another saying of Jesus about faith's power to cast a mountain into the sea, reinforcing the theme that increased/true faith enables miraculous works.
- Mark 9:24 (thematic): A petitioner’s cry, “I believe; help my unbelief,” echoes the desire for strengthened faith expressed by the apostles.
- James 1:6 (thematic): Instruction about asking without doubting connects to the apostles’ plea for greater faith and the importance of faith’s firmness when seeking God.
Alternative generated candidates
- The apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith.'
- The apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith.'
Luke.17.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- κυριος·Ει: NOUN,nom,sg,m+PART
- εχετε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- πιστιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ως: ADV
- κοκκον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- σιναπεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ελεγετε: VERB,impf,act,ind,2,pl
- αν: PART
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- συκαμινω: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- ταυτη·Εκριζωθητι: PRON,dem,dat,sg,f+VERB,aor,pass,imp,2,sg
- και: CONJ
- φυτευθητι: VERB,aor,pass,imp,2,sg
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- θαλασση·και: NOUN,dat,sg,f+CONJ
- υπηκουσεν: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- αν: PART
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
Parallels
- Matthew 17:20 (verbal): Uses the same image of ‘faith as a mustard seed’ to describe that even very small faith can accomplish great things (there, removing a mountain); close verbal and theological parallel to Luke 17:6.
- Mark 11:23 (verbal): Jesus speaks of speaking to a mountain and it being thrown into the sea if one has faith; shares the command-to-nature motif and the formula of obedient response to faith found in Luke 17:6.
- Matthew 21:21 (verbal): Parallel incident about commanding a tree (the fig tree) to be uprooted and thrown into the sea through faith; closely mirrors Luke’s image of uprooting and planting in the sea.
- Luke 17:5 (structural): Immediate literary context: the apostles ask Jesus to increase their faith, to which Jesus responds with the mustard-seed faith saying in 17:6—shows the verse functions as Jesus’ answer to their request.
- Matthew 13:31–32 (allusion): Parable of the mustard seed emphasizes small beginnings leading to great results; thematically linked to Luke 17:6’s use of the mustard-seed simile to illustrate the potency of even tiny faith.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the Lord said, 'If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, "Be uprooted and be planted in the sea," and it would obey you.'
- And the Lord said, 'If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this sycamore tree, "Be uprooted and planted in the sea," and it would obey you.'
Luke.17.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Τις: PRON,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- εξ: PREP
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- δουλον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- εχων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- αροτριωντα: VERB,pres,act,ptcp,acc,sg,m
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- ποιμαινοντα: VERB,pres,act,ptcp,acc,sg,m
- ος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- εισελθοντι: VERB,aor,act,ptcp,dat,sg,m
- εκ: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- αγρου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ερει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτω·Ευθεως: PRON,dat,sg,3
- παρελθων: PART,aor,act,nom,sg,m
- αναπεσε: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,sg
Parallels
- Luke 17:10 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same pericope; completes the servant/master image and gives the concluding teaching about duty (‘we are unworthy servants…we have done what was our duty’).
- Luke 12:37-46 (thematic): Uses the motif of servants awaiting their master’s return and the ethics of readiness and duty; contrasts faithful and wicked servants like Luke 17’s insistence on a servant’s obligation.
- Matthew 24:45-51 (thematic): Parable of the faithful and wicked servant—similar framework of a master, household servants, and the expectation of service and accountability at the master's return.
- Matthew 25:14-30 (thematic): Parable of the talents emphasizes servants’ responsibility toward their master’s goods and the judgment based on duty and stewardship, echoing Luke’s demand that servants simply do their duty.
- 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 (allusion): Paul’s language calling apostles ‘servants’ and ‘stewards’ who must be found faithful resonates with Luke’s emphasis that servants owe basic duty and faithfulness to their master.
Alternative generated candidates
- 'Which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, when he comes in from the field will say to him, "Come at once and sit down"?'
- Which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, when he comes in from the field, will say to him, 'Come at once and sit down to eat'?
Luke.17.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αλλ᾽ουχι: CONJ
- ερει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτω·Ετοιμασον: PRON,dat,sg,m + VERB,aor,act,imp,2,sg
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- δειπνησω: VERB,fut,act,ind,1,sg
- και: CONJ
- περιζωσαμενος: VERB,aor,mid,ptc,nom,sg,m
- διακονει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- μοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- εως: CONJ
- φαγω: VERB,aor,act,sub,1,sg
- και: CONJ
- πιω: VERB,aor,act,subj,1,sg
- και: CONJ
- μετα: PREP
- ταυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- φαγεσαι: VERB,fut,mid,ind,2,sg
- και: CONJ
- πιεσαι: VERB,fut,mid,ind,2,sg
- συ: PRON,nom,sg,2
Parallels
- Luke 17:7 (structural): Sets up the same household scenario and rhetorical question about a servant’s duties (plowing/tending, then serving at table); shares the immediate context and imagery for v.8.
- Luke 17:10 (verbal): Conclusion of the pericope: explicitly states the moral — after doing what is commanded the servant is 'unworthy' and should not expect thanks; echoes the point of v.8.
- Luke 12:42-46 (thematic): Parable of the faithful/wise manager placed over servants emphasizes duty, readiness, and the master's authority — similar concerns about proper service and the servant’s obligations.
- Matthew 24:45-47 (structural): Parallel parable of the faithful and wise servant who does the master's will while he is away; shares the motif of a servant’s duty and the master’s expectations, though with a focus on reward.
- John 13:14-17 (thematic): Jesus’ foot-washing teaching that a servant is not greater than his master and must serve others without seeking special honor — parallels the ethic of humble duty and lack of expectation of thanks in Luke 17:8.
Alternative generated candidates
- 'Will he not rather say to him, "Prepare my meal; gird yourself and serve me until I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink"?'
- Will he not rather say to him, 'Make ready my meal; put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you may eat and drink'?
Luke.17.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- μη: PART
- εχει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- χαριν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- δουλω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- οτι: CONJ
- εποιησεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- διαταχθεντα: PTCP,aor,pass,acc,pl,n
Parallels
- Luke 17:7-8 (verbal): Immediate context describing the master–servant scenario (servant serving at table and not praised for doing what was commanded), which sets up v.9's question about thanking the servant.
- Luke 17:10 (structural): Direct follow-up teaching: after stressing that a servant does what is commanded, Jesus concludes that servants should say they are 'unprofitable' — same theme of duty without expectation of special thanks.
- John 13:16 (thematic): Jesus' statement that 'a servant is not greater than his master' echoes the expectation that disciples/servants merely do their duty and are not entitled to exaltation or special praise.
- 1 Corinthians 4:2 (thematic): The emphasis on stewardship—'it is required of stewards that they be found faithful'—parallels the idea that servants are to do their assigned duty faithfully, not to seek thanks or reward.
- Matthew 24:45-47 (allusion): The 'faithful and wise servant' who does his master's will is a related teaching about servantly duty and the master's response, contrasting reward for faithfulness with the Luke emphasis that simple obedience does not by itself merit special thanks.
Alternative generated candidates
- 'Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? I think not.'
- Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? I do not think so.
Luke.17.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ουτως: ADV
- και: CONJ
- υμεις: PRON,nom,pl,2
- οταν: CONJ
- ποιησητε: VERB,aor,act,subj,2,pl
- παντα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- διαταχθεντα: PART,aor,pass,acc,pl,n
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- λεγετε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- οτι: CONJ
- Δουλοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- αχρειοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- εσμεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ωφειλομεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
- ποιησαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- πεποιηκαμεν: VERB,perf,act,ind,1,pl
Parallels
- Luke 12:37-48 (structural): Same master-servant motif and emphasis on the servant’s duty and accountability after carrying out commands; both passages teach that servants should not expect special praise for doing what is required.
- John 13:14-17 (thematic): Jesus models and teaches humble service (washing the disciples’ feet) and links knowing the teaching with doing it—similar to Luke’s insistence that servants, having done their duty, should regard themselves as unworthy.
- Matthew 20:26-28 (thematic): The call to servanthood as the defining posture of Jesus’ followers parallels Luke’s depiction of believers as servants whose proper response is humble service rather than entitlement.
- 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 (verbal): Paul calls apostles ‘servants’ and ‘stewards’ and insists it is required of stewards to be found faithful—echoing Luke’s language about servants doing what they ought and having no claim to special credit.
- Philippians 2:5-8 (thematic): Christ’s self-emptying and service provide the overarching model of humility and duty that undergirds Luke’s exhortation that servants, having done all commanded, abase themselves as unworthy.
Alternative generated candidates
- 'So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, "We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty."'
- So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have done what was our duty to do.'
And he said to his disciples, 'It is inevitable that occasions for stumbling will come; yet woe to the person through whom they come!'
'It would be better for him if a millstone were hung about his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble.'
'Be on your guard. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.'
'And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to you, saying, "I repent," you must forgive him.'
The apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith.' And the Lord said, 'If you had faith as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, "Be uprooted and be planted in the sea," and it would obey you.'
'Which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he comes in from the field, "Come at once and sit down to eat"?'
'Will he not rather say to him, "Prepare my food; put on your apron and serve me while I eat, and afterward you may eat"?'
'Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? I tell you, he will not.'
'So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, "We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty to do."'