Luke 17

Faith and Forgiveness

1One day Jesus taught his disciples: “Betrayals # 17:1 As translated from the Aramaic. Other Greek texts use the words “temptation” or “to stumble.” are inevitable, but great devastation will come to the one guilty of betraying others. 2It would be better for him to have a heavy boulder tied around his neck and be hurled into the deepest sea than to face the punishment of betraying one of my dear ones! So be alert to your brother’s condition, 3and if you see him going the wrong direction, cry out and correct him. If there is true repentance on his part, forgive him. 4No matter how many times in one day your brother sins against you # 17:4 The Greek text states explicitly “seven times.” But this is used as a metaphor for unlimited forgiveness. and says, ‘I’m sorry; I am changing; forgive me,’ you need to forgive him each and every time.”

5Upon hearing this, the apostles said to Jesus, “Lord, you must increase # 17:5 The Greek text is literally “add faith to us.” our measure of faith!”

6Jesus responded, “If you have even the smallest measure of faith, it would be powerful enough to say to this large # 17:6 The Greek text is “mulberry” or “sycamore tree,” which is known to grow to about thirty-five feet high. tree, ‘My faith will pull you up by the roots and throw you into the sea,’ and it will respond to your faith and obey you.” # 17:6 The apostles had faith; they simply needed to use it.

7-8Jesus continued, “After a servant has finished his work in the field or with the livestock, he doesn’t immediately sit down to relax and eat. No, a true servant prepares the food for his master and makes sure his master is served his meal before he sits down to eat his own. 9Does the servant expect to be thanked for doing what is required of him? 10So learn this lesson: After doing all that is commanded of you, simply say, ‘We are mere servants, undeserving of special praise, for we are just doing what is expected of us and fulfilling our duties.’ ”

Jesus Heals Ten Lepers

11On his way to Jerusalem Jesus passed through the border region between Samaria and Galilee. 12As he entered one village, ten men approached him, but they kept their distance, for they were lepers. 13They shouted to him, “Mighty Lord, our wonderful Master! # 17:13 The Greek word used here for “Master” is not the usual word used for “Teacher” or “Master.” It denotes one with supernatural authority and power. Won’t you have mercy on us and heal us?”

14When Jesus stopped to look at them, he spoke these words: “Go to be examined by the Jewish priests.” # 17:14 This was what was required. See Lev. 13:19; 14:1–11. What a step of faith for these lepers as they stepped out on only the word Jesus spoke to them. They were to go to the priest, who would confirm their healing and declare them ceremonially clean and approved to go into the temple to worship God.

They set off, and they were healed while walking along the way. 15One of them, a Samaritan, # 17:15 For a Samaritan man to give thanks to a Jewish man was indeed peculiar. Since he likely had no “priest,” he turned to the only one he knew to be a priest for him, Jesus Christ. when he discovered that he was completely healed, turned back to find Jesus, shouting out joyous praises and glorifying God. 16When he found Jesus, he fell down at his feet and thanked him over and over, saying to him, “You are the Messiah.” # 17:16 From the Aramaic text.

17“So where are the other nine?” Jesus asked. “Weren’t there ten who were healed? 18They all refused to return to give thanks and give glory to God except you, a foreigner from Samaria?”

19Then Jesus said to the healed man lying at his feet, “Arise and go. It was your faith that brought you salvation and made you whole.”

God’s Kingdom Realm within You

20Jesus was once asked by the Jewish religious leaders, “When will God’s kingdom come?” # 17:20 Or “When will God’s kingdom be established?”

Jesus responded, “God’s kingdom does not come simply by obeying principles # 17:20 Implied in the Aramaic text where it states, “observances” (of the law). The same word is found in Gal. 4:10 referring to “observances” of keeping the law. or waiting for signs. 21The kingdom is not discovered in one place or another, for God’s kingdom realm is already expanding within some of you.” # 17:21 Translated from the Aramaic text. The implication is that God’s kingdom realm is a person, Jesus Christ. The reality of God’s kingdom appears when Jesus lives within us by faith.

22Later, Jesus addressed this again with his apostles, saying, “The time is coming when a great passion will be awakened within you to see me again. Yes, you will long to see the beginning of the days of the Son of Man, but you won’t be able to find me. 23You will hear reports from some who will say, ‘Look, he has returned,’ ‘He’s over here,’ or, ‘He’s over there!’ Don’t believe it or run after them, for their claims will be false. 24The day of the Son of Man will burst forth with the brightness of a lightning strike that shines from one end of the sky to the other, illuminating the earth.

25“But before this takes place, the Son of Man must pass through great suffering and rejection from this generation. 26The same things that happened in the days of Noah will take place in the days of the Son of Man. 27They were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, and they were given in marriage until the day Noah boarded the ark and the devastating flood came and swept them all away.

28-30“The days of the Son of Man can also be compared to the days of Lot. The people of that time lived their lives as normal. They got married, raised families, built homes and businesses, yet they were totally unaware of what was coming until the day Lot departed from Sodom. The sky opened up and rained fire and burning sulfur upon them, destroying everyone and everything they had built. So it will be on the day of the unveiling of the Son of Man.

31“On that day, if one is outside, # 17:31 The Greek text is literally “on the roof.” he won’t even have time to go back into the house to gather his belongings. And those toiling in their fields won’t have time to run back home. 32Don’t forget the example of Lot’s wife and what happened to her when she turned back. # 17:32 See Gen. 19:26. 33All who are obsessed with being secure in life will lose it all—including their lives. But those who let go of their lives and surrender them to me will discover true life. 34For in that night there will be two lying in their bed; one will be suddenly swept away while the other will be left alive. 35-36There will be two women working together at household duties; one will be suddenly swept away while the other will be left alive.” # 17:35–36 This Greek word can also refer to being “forgiven of sin.” Some later Greek texts add, “Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other will be left. Those who are swept away are taken to judgment; those who are left behind remain to enter into the kingdom glory.”

37His apostles asked, “Lord, where will this judgment happen?”

Jesus responded, “It will be obvious, for wherever there are those spiritually dead, # 17:37 The Greek word used here is literally “corpse” and can be a metaphor for those who are spiritually dead. there you will find the eagles # 17:37 The Greek word used here can be translated “eagles” or “vultures.” circling.”

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Luke 17: TPT

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