Bible Commentaries
Luke 17

Verse 1

Then said He, &c. verses: Luke 17:1-2 contain matter which had been spoken by the Lord on a former occasion (Matthew 18:6 , Matthew 18:7 . Mark 9:42 ) and repeated here with a variation of certain words; verses: Luke 17:3 , Luke 17:4 also had been spoken before, and recorded in Matthew 18:21 , Matthew 18:22 (but not in Mark). The passage here is therefore not "out of its context", but is repeated with special reference to Luke 16:14-30 . See App-97 .

unto . Greek. pros. App-104 .

the disciples . All the texts read "His disciples". This is to be noted in contrast with Luke 16:15 .

impossible = inevitable. Greek. anendektos. Occurs only here.

offences = stumbling blocks.

through . Greek. dia. App-104 .Luke 17:1 .

Verse 2

better = well. Greek. lusiteleo. Occurs only here.

that = if. App-118 .

millstone . See note on Matthew 18:6 .

about = round. Greek. peri. App-104 .

cast = hurled (with violence).

into. Greek. eis. App-104 .

offend = be a cause of stumbling to. This was spoken with reference to the traditions of the Pharisees in Luke 16:15-30 .

Verse 3

If. Marking a possible contingency ( App-118 . b). Not the same condition as in Luke 17:6 .

trespass = sin. Greek. hamartano. App-128 . As the Pharisees did.

against . Greek. eis. App-104 .

rebuke him . As the Lord had done (Luke 16:15-31 ).

repent . See App-111 .

Verse 4

seven . On the former occasion "seventy" (Matthew 18:21 , Matthew 18:22 ). No discrepancy. See App-97 .

to = unto. Greek. epi. App-104 .; but the texts read pros.

Verse 5

the Lord . App-98 .

Increase our faith = Give us more faith.

Verse 6

If. Assuming the condition. See App-118 .

ye might say = ye might, with Greek. an, marking it as being purely hypothetical.

this sycamine tree. On a former occasion (Matthew 17:20 ) the Lord said "this mountain" (of the Transfiguration); and also on a later occasion (Mark 11:23 ), referring to Olivet. But here, "this tree, "because the locality was different. No discrepancy therefore.

sycamine = mulberry. Occurs only here. Not the same as in Luke 19:4 . Both used medicinally.

in. Greek. en. App-104 .

should. With Greek. an, still marking the hypothesis.

Verse 7

of = from among. Greek ek. App-104 . As in Luke 17:15 , but not the same as in verses: Luke 17:20-25 .

servant = bondman.

feeding cattle = shepherding.

by and by . . . Go = Come at once.

from = out of. Greek. ek. App-104 .

sit down to meat = recline at table.

Verse 8

And will not rather = But will he not ( App-105 ).

till = while.

I have, &c. = I eat and drink.

afterward = after (Greek. meta. App-104 .) these things.

Verse 9

I trow not = I think not.

not. Greek. ou. App-105 .

Verse 10

So likewise ye = Thus ye also.

shall = may.

say, We = say that (Greek. hoti) we.

unprofitable = not needed, no use for. This may be for various reasons. Occurs only here and in Matthew 25:30 , where the reason maybe for having done wickedly. Not the same word as in 2 Timothy 3:9; 2 Timothy 3:9 . Philemon 1:11 , Hebrews 13:17 .

Verse 11

it came to pass . A Hebraism.

as He went = as He was on (Greek. en. App-104 .) His way.

to = unto. Greek. eis. App-104 .

the midst of : i.e. between them.

Galilee . See App-169 .

Verse 12

entered = was about to enter.

ten. Compare 2 Kings 7:3 , and note on Exodus 4:6 .

men. Greek. Plural of aner. App-123 .

afar off . As required by Leviticus 13:45 , Leviticus 13:46 . The Talmudical law prescribed 100 paces.

Verse 13

Jesus. See App-98 . Master. See App-98 .

mercy = compassion.

Verse 14

as they went = in ( App-104 .) their going.

Verse 15

with . Greek. meta. App-104 .

God . App-98 .

Verse 16

on . Greek. epi. App-104 .

at = beside. Greek. para. App-104 .

Samaritan. See 2 Kings 17:29-35 , Compare Luke 10:33 .

Verse 17

Were there not. ? = Were not (Greek. ouchi. App-105 .) the ten cleansed? but the nine, where [are they]?

Verse 18

There are not = Were there not?

stranger = alien. Greek. allogenes = of another race. Occurs only here, but frequently in the Septuagint. Used by the Romans in the Inscription discovered by Clermont-Ganneau in 1871 (now in the Imperial New Museum in Constantinople). It was put up on the marble barriers of the inner courts of the Temple to warn off Gentiles. See Deissmann's Light, pp Luk 74:75 . Compare Acts 21:28 .

Verse 20

when He was demanded = having been asked.

of = by. Greek. hupo. App-104 .

the Pharisees . Who were watching Him with hostile intent (Luke 6:7 ; Luke 14:1 ; Luke 20:20 . Mark 3:2 ),

the kingdom of God . See App-114 .

should come = is coming.

observation = hostile watching. Greek. parateresis. Occurs only here. The verb pandereo is used always in a bad sense; and occurs only in Acts 9:24 , and Galatians 4:10 to (observe), beside the four passages quoted above.

Verse 21

Lo. Greek. idou. App-133 .

behold . Figure of speech Asterismos ( App-6 ), for emphasis. App-133 .

within = in the midst of, or, among: i.e. already there in the Person of the King (whose presence marks a kingdom). Greek entos, the same meaning as Greek. en ( App-104 .), with the plural rendered "among" 115 times in N.T. The same meaning as in Matthew 12:28 . John 1:26 .

you = you yourselves. His bitter enemies. Therefore not in their hearts; but the very opposite.

Verse 22

the disciples . Note the change. one of the days, &c. Such as they were then seeing, i.e. have another opportunity. the Son of man. See App-98 .

Verse 23

See . Same as "Lo" in Luke 17:21 .

go not = go not forth.

not. Greek. me. App-105 .

nor . Greek. mede.

Verse 24

lighteneth = flasheth. Greek. astrapto. Occurs only here and in Luke 24:4 .

out of . Greek ek. App-104 .

under . Greek. hupo. App-104 .

heaven . Sing, without Art. Compare Matthew 6:9 , Matthew 6:10 .

unto . Greek eis. App-104 .

also the Son of man = the Son of man also.

His day . Described in the Apocalypse.

Verse 25

first must He suffer. Compare the four announcements: Luke 9:22 , Luke 9:44 ; Luke 17:25 ; Luke 18:31-33 , and the Structure on p. 1461.

rejected. This was the subject of the third period of the Lord's ministry. See App-119 .

of = on the part of. Greek apo. App-104 . Not the same word as in verses: Luke 17:7 , Luke 17:15 , Luke 17:20 .

this generation = this (present) generation. See note on Matthew 11:16 .

Verse 26

was = came to pass, as in Luke 17:11 , Luke 17:14 .

the days of Noe . See Genesis 6:4-7 , Genesis 6:11-13 . App-117 .

Noe = Noah.

also in the days = in the days also.

Verse 27

they drank = they were drinking (and so the Imperfect tense throughout the verse). Note the Figure of speech Asyndeton in this verse ( App-6 ), to emphasize the crisis of the flood.

Verse 28

also = even.

the days of Lot . See Genesis 19:15-25 .Isaiah 13:19 . Isa 16:46-56 .

Amos 4:11 .Jude 1:7 . App-117 .

Verse 29

of = from. Greek. apo. App-104 .

from. Greek. apo. App-104 .

destroyed . Greek. apollumi. Compare Luke 4:34 . &c.

Verse 30

Even thus = according to (Greek. kata. App-104 .) these things; or, according to the Texts, the same things.

revealed . Greek. apokalupto.

Verse 31

upon . Greek. epi. App-104 .

housetop . Compare Luke 12:3 ; Luke 5:19 .

stuff = vessels, or goods. Compare Matthew 12:29 . Eng. "stuff" is from Low Latin. stupa and O. Fr. estoffe. let him not, &c. This was repeated later on the Mount of Olives (Matthew 24:17-20 . Mark 13:14-16 ), come down. By the staircase outside.

back . Greek. eis ta opiso. To the things behind.

Verse 32

Remember, &c. Figure of speech Exemplum. See Genesis 19:26 , Ind App-117 .

Verse 33

life . Greek. psuche. See App-110 .

his life = it.

preserve it = preserve it alive. Greek. zoogoneo. Occurs only here and in Acts 7:19 . Repeated from Luke 9:24 , Luke 9:25 .

Matthew 10:39 . Mark 8:35 ,

Verse 34

two men : i.e. two persons.

in = upon. Greek. epi. App-104 .

and. The 1611 edition of the Authorized Version omitted this "and". other. Greek heteros. App-124 .

Verse 35

grinding , &c. Referring to the morning. together (Greek. epi to auto) = to the same (end). Compare Matthew 22:34 .Acts 14:1 (kata to auto).

Verse 36

Two , &c. The texts omit this verse.

Verse 37

Where, Lord? The question repeated in Matthew 24:28 , as well as the answer.

Lord. App-98 .

Wheresoever , &c. Figure of speech Parcemia. App-6 .

body = carcass.

eagles = vultures. See Job 39:30 . Compare Habakkuk 1:8 . Hosea 8:1 .Revelation 19:17-21 .