Luke 17:9

9 Would you thank the servant because he did what he was told to do?

Luke 17:9 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 17:9

Doth he thank that servant
As if he had done him a favour, and what he was not obliged to;

because he did the things that were commanded him?
for, as a servant, he ought to do them, and in so doing does but his duty: he may indeed be commended for it, but not thanked:

I trow not;
or "I think not"; it do not seem so to me, as if he would, or, as though it was proper and necessary he should. The Ethiopic version leaves out this last clause.

Luke 17:9 In-Context

7 "Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. And suppose the servant came in from the field. Would you say to him, 'Come along now and sit down to eat'?

8 No. Instead, you would say, 'Prepare my supper. Get yourself ready. Wait on me while I eat and drink. Then after that you can eat and drink.'

9 Would you thank the servant because he did what he was told to do?

10 "It's the same with you. Suppose you have done everything you were told to do. Then you should say, 'We are not worthy to serve you. We have only done our duty.' "

11 Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. He traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee.