Luke 17:3

KJV

Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

KJV (with Strong's)

Take heed {G4337} to yourselves {G1438}: If {G1161}{G1437} thy {G4675} brother {G80} trespass {G264} against {G1519} thee {G4571}, rebuke {G2008} him {G846}; and {G2532} if {G1437} he repent {G3340}, forgive {G863} him {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Watch yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.

Berean Standard Bible

Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.

American Standard Version

Take heed to yourselves: if thy brother sin, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 17:3 presents a foundational teaching from Jesus concerning the essential Christian practice of interpersonal reconciliation. It outlines a two-fold responsibility for the offended believer: first, to courageously confront a sinning brother with a loving rebuke, and second, to extend immediate and complete forgiveness upon genuine repentance. This command underscores the profound importance of maintaining purity and unity within the community of faith, emphasizing both accountability for sin and the boundless grace required for restoration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of a series of ethical instructions Jesus delivers to His disciples, immediately following a stern warning against causing others to stumble or fall into sin. In [Luke 17:1-2](/luke/17-1-2 "Luke 17:1-2 - Stumbling Blocks and Consequences"), Jesus declares that it would be better for someone to be drowned than to cause a "stumbling block" (Greek: _skandalon_) for one of His little ones. This severe pronouncement sets the stage for the practical application of how disciples should respond when an offense does occur. Rather than ignoring the sin or seeking personal vengeance, [Luke 17:3](/luke/17-3 "Luke 17:3 - Rebuke and Forgive") provides the divinely prescribed pathway for addressing sin within the community, ensuring both justice and mercy are upheld. The subsequent verses in [Luke 17:4](/luke/17-4 "Luke 17:4 - Forgive Seven Times a Day") further elaborate on the radical nature of this forgiveness, extending it to an astonishing frequency.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the Greco-Roman world and within Jewish society of Jesus' time, honor and shame were paramount. Offenses often led to cycles of retribution or social ostracism. The concept of confronting a peer's sin directly, yet with the explicit aim of reconciliation and forgiveness rather than public shaming or personal vengeance, was counter-cultural. Jewish law provided for restitution and atonement, but Jesus' teaching elevates the personal responsibility of the offended party to initiate reconciliation and to forgive, moving beyond mere legalistic requirements to a heart-level transformation. This teaching was revolutionary, challenging the prevailing norms of maintaining honor through retaliation and instead promoting a community defined by grace and restoration, reflecting the nature of God's own forgiveness.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major theological and narrative themes found throughout Luke's Gospel and the broader New Testament. It powerfully illustrates the theme of **discipleship ethics**, outlining the high moral and relational standards expected of those who follow Christ. It highlights the critical importance of **accountability within the community**, where believers are called to lovingly confront sin rather than passively tolerate it or allow it to fester. Central to the passage is the theme of **repentance and forgiveness**, emphasizing that genuine reconciliation is predicated on the offender's turning from their sin and the offended party's willingness to release the debt. This radical call to forgiveness, even repeatedly, foreshadows the later teachings on boundless grace found in passages like [Matthew 18:21-22](/matthew/18-21-22 "Matthew 18:21-22 - Peter's Question About Forgiveness"). Ultimately, the verse speaks to the establishment of a **new covenant community** characterized by mutual love, grace, and a commitment to spiritual health and unity, reflecting the very heart of God's redemptive work.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Take heed (Greek, _proséchō'_):** From G4337, meaning "to hold the mind towards, i.e., pay attention to, be cautious about, apply oneself to, adhere to." This imperative verb emphasizes a conscious, deliberate act of self-awareness and vigilance. It's not a passive suggestion but an active command to guard one's own heart and actions, ensuring readiness to respond righteously in difficult interpersonal situations. It implies a mindful preparation for the challenges of community life.
* **Trespass (Greek, _hamartánō'_):** From G264, meaning "to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), i.e., (figuratively) to err, especially (morally) to sin." This term broadly encompasses any act that falls short of God's standard, whether intentional or unintentional, and which causes harm or offense to another person or to God. It underscores that the issue is not merely a personal slight but a moral failing that requires addressing.
* **Forgive (Greek, _aphíēmi'_):** From G863, meaning "to send forth, in various applications... to send away, let go, release, remit, suffer, yield up." This powerful word denotes the act of releasing someone from a debt, obligation, or offense. It signifies a complete dismissal of the wrong, a letting go of resentment, and a restoration of relationship, mirroring God's own act of releasing humanity from the debt of sin through Christ.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Take heed to yourselves:"** This opening imperative serves as a vital preamble, placing the burden of responsibility on the listener. It is a command for self-examination and spiritual vigilance, urging disciples to guard their own hearts and conduct. Before addressing another's sin, one must ensure their own spiritual posture is correct and that they are prepared to act with wisdom and grace.
* **"If thy brother trespass against thee,"** This conditional clause establishes the premise for the subsequent commands. The "brother" refers to a fellow believer, emphasizing the context of the Christian community. "Trespass" (sin) indicates an offense that violates God's standards and harms the relationship. The phrase "against thee" makes it personal, directly involving the listener as the offended party.
* **"rebuke him;"** This is the first action commanded of the offended party. "Rebuke" implies a direct, firm, yet loving confrontation of the sin, intended to bring about conviction and change, not merely to shame or condemn. It is an act of love and accountability within the community, aiming for the restoration of the offender.
* **"and if he repent,"** This second conditional clause sets the crucial prerequisite for forgiveness. Repentance (a change of mind leading to a change of action) is the necessary response from the offender. It signifies an acknowledgment of wrongdoing and a turning away from the sin. Without genuine repentance, the full process of reconciliation and restoration cannot occur.
* **"forgive him."** This is the final and ultimate command. Upon the brother's repentance, the offended party is commanded to forgive. This is not a suggestion but an imperative, highlighting the non-negotiable nature of forgiveness in the Christian life. It implies a complete release from the offense, a letting go of bitterness, and a willingness to restore the relationship.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 17:3 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is the **Imperative Mood**, seen in "Take heed," "rebuke him," and "forgive him." These are direct commands from Jesus, emphasizing the non-negotiable nature and urgency of these actions for His disciples. There is also clear **Conditional Language** ("If thy brother trespass... and if he repent..."), which structures the ethical process, outlining the specific circumstances under which these actions are to be taken. This creates a cause-and-effect relationship, where forgiveness is contingent upon repentance. The verse also exhibits a form of **Parallelism** in its structure, presenting a balanced sequence of offense, confrontation, repentance, and forgiveness, highlighting the reciprocal nature of reconciliation within the community. Finally, the use of "brother" employs **Metonymy**, where "brother" stands for any fellow believer, underscoring the familial bond and mutual responsibility within the Christian community.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 17:3 is a profound theological statement on the nature of divine and human forgiveness, reflecting God's character and His design for His people. It teaches that while God is infinitely gracious, His forgiveness for humanity is predicated on genuine repentance, as seen in the call for us to imitate this pattern with one another. This passage underscores that true Christian community is not one free from conflict, but one where conflict is addressed biblically, leading to reconciliation rather than division. It challenges believers to embody radical grace, mirroring the forgiveness they have received from God, and to prioritize the restoration of relationships over personal grievances or the desire for retribution. This command to both confront and forgive is a cornerstone of healthy spiritual living and communal unity.

* [Matthew 18:15-17](/matthew/18-15-17 "Matthew 18:15-17 - Steps for Church Discipline")
* [Matthew 18:21-22](/matthew/18-21-22 "Matthew 18:21-22 - Peter's Question About Forgiveness")
* [1 John 1:9](/1_john/1-9 "1 John 1:9 - Confession and Forgiveness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 17:3 presents a challenging yet liberating framework for navigating interpersonal conflict within the Christian community and beyond. It calls us to a high standard of both courage and grace. The initial command to "take heed to yourselves" reminds us that our own spiritual state is paramount; we must approach these difficult situations with humility, prayer, and a desire for God's will, not personal vindication. When an offense occurs, the instruction to "rebuke him" requires immense courage and love, compelling us to address sin directly and constructively, rather than allowing bitterness to fester or gossiping about the offense. This is not about condemnation, but about restoration—speaking the truth in love for the spiritual well-being of our brother. Crucially, the command to "forgive him" upon repentance is perhaps the most radical. It demands a willingness to release the offender from the debt, to let go of the hurt, and to offer a fresh start, even if the offense is repeated. This process is vital for healing broken relationships, fostering genuine reconciliation, and cultivating a community marked by Christ-like love and grace, rather than unresolved conflict or unforgiveness. It reminds us that forgiveness is not merely an emotion but a decisive act of the will, mirroring the boundless forgiveness God extends to us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does "Take heed to yourselves" practically mean for me when I am offended by someone?**
* **In what ways can I "rebuke" a brother in a loving and restorative manner, rather than a condemning one?**
* **How do I discern genuine repentance, and what does it truly mean for me to "forgive" someone who has wronged me, especially if the offense was deeply painful?**
* **Considering Jesus' emphasis on repeated forgiveness (Luke 17:4), what personal barriers or resentments might I need to surrender to God in order to live out this command more fully?**

### FAQ

**Does Luke 17:3 mean I only have to forgive someone if they repent?**

Answer: Luke 17:3 explicitly links forgiveness to repentance: "if he repent, forgive him." This passage highlights the necessary conditions for the *restoration of relationship* and the *release of the offender from the consequences of their sin* within the community. Genuine repentance, which involves acknowledging wrongdoing and turning from it, is essential for true reconciliation. However, the broader biblical teaching on forgiveness is multifaceted. While this verse focuses on the conditions for full reconciliation, believers are also called to cultivate a spirit of forgiveness and to release bitterness in their own hearts, regardless of the offender's response. This internal act of forgiveness, letting go of resentment, is for the offended person's own spiritual health and is not always contingent on the other person's repentance. Jesus' teaching on loving enemies in [Matthew 5:44](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love Your Enemies") and His prayer on the cross, "[Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do](/luke/23-34 "Luke 23:34 - Jesus Forgives His Executioners")," demonstrate a willingness to forgive even when repentance is absent, though full restoration of fellowship often requires it. So, while you are commanded to forgive upon repentance for the sake of reconciliation, you are also called to release personal bitterness and maintain a forgiving spirit even when repentance is not offered.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 17:3, with its demanding call to rebuke and forgive, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the perfect embodiment of both righteous confrontation and boundless forgiveness. Jesus Himself rebuked sin with unwavering truth, yet always with a redemptive purpose, as seen in His interactions with the Pharisees or His disciples (e.g., [Matthew 23:13-36](/matthew/23-13-36 "Matthew 23 - Woes to the Pharisees") or [Matthew 16:23](/matthew/16-23 "Matthew 16:23 - Jesus Rebukes Peter")). More profoundly, Christ's entire mission culminates in His act of forgiveness on the cross. Though humanity had trespassed against God in the most egregious way, Christ, through His sacrificial death, provided the means for our repentance and subsequent forgiveness. His blood atones for our sins, allowing God to "send away" our transgressions (compare [Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - Propitiation Through Faith")). We are forgiven not because of our inherent worth, but because of His perfect sacrifice and our repentance, which is itself a gift from God. Therefore, when we are commanded to rebuke and forgive, we are called to participate in the very pattern of divine grace demonstrated by our Savior. We become agents of reconciliation, empowered by the Spirit to extend the same radical forgiveness we have received from the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), thus reflecting His character to a broken world. Our capacity to forgive is a direct outflow of Christ's forgiveness for us, transforming us into ambassadors of His reconciliation ([2 Corinthians 5:18-19](/2_corinthians/5-18-19 "2 Corinthians 5:18-19 - Ministry of Reconciliation")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Leviticus 19:17

Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.

Matthew 18:21

¶ Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

Proverbs 9:8

Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.

Matthew 18:15

¶ Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

Matthew 18:17

And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell [it] unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

James 5:19

Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;

2 Chronicles 19:6

And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who [is] with you in the judgment.