Luke 17:7

7 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 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 17:7

But which of you having a servant ploughing
In order to keep the disciples humble in the performance of such miraculous works; and that they might not imagine they could have any thing at the hands of God by merit; and to excite them to go on from one duty to another; and never think they have done, or done enough, or more than what is their duty, Christ delivers the following parable.

Which of you having a servant ploughing, or feeding cattle;
or "sheep", as the Syriac and Persic versions render it; or a "ploughman", or a "shepherd", as the Ethiopic version; which are both servile works, and done in the field: not that the disciples had any such servants under them, though the words are directed to them, for they had left all, and followed Christ; nor were they brought up to husbandry, but most of them in the fishing trade; Christ only puts this for instance, and supposes such a case:

will say unto him by and by;
or straightway, immediately, directly,

when he is come from the field;
and has done ploughing, and feeding his cattle, sheep, or cows, or whatever they are; as soon as ever he comes home; or "first", as the Persic version; the first thing he shall say to him, upon his return from thence,

go;
to the other side of the room, and to the table there ready spread, and furnished; or "go up", as the Arabic and Ethiopic versions render it; go up to the upper room where they used to dine or sup; see ( Luke 22:12 ) or "come in", as the Persic version renders it; and which some learned men observe, is the sense of the Greek word here used; come into the house,

and sit down to meat?
or fall, and lie down on the couch, as was the custom in those countries at eating.

Luke 17:7 In-Context

5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, "Increase our faith."

6 And the Lord said, "If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, `Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea,' and it should obey you.

7 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'?

8 But will you not rather say unto him, `Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself and serve me until I have eaten and drunk, and afterward thou shalt eat and drink'?

9 Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not!