Luke 17:8

And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?

And {G235} will not {G3780} rather say {G2046} unto him {G846}, Make ready {G2090} wherewith {G5101} I may sup {G1172}, and {G2532} gird thyself {G4024}, and serve {G1247} me {G3427}, till {G2193} I have eaten {G5315} and {G2532} drunken {G4095}; and {G2532} afterward {G3326}{G5023} thou {G4771} shalt eat {G5315} and {G2532} drink {G4095}?

No, you’ll say, ‘Get my supper ready, dress for work, and serve me until I have finished eating and drinking; after that, you may eat and drink.’

Instead, won’t he tell him, ‘Prepare my meal and dress yourself to serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink’?

and will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?

Commentary on Luke 17:8 (KJV)

Luke 17:8 is part of a short, illustrative parable or teaching that Jesus gives to His disciples, found in Luke 17:7-10. This particular verse describes the natural expectation of a master for his servant: that the servant would first attend to the master's needs – preparing his meal, serving him, and only afterward attending to his own.

Context

This passage immediately follows Jesus' teaching on the necessity of forgiveness (Luke 17:1-4) and the power of faith (Luke 17:5-6), even faith as small as a mustard seed. The illustration of the master and servant serves to clarify the disciples' understanding of their duty and service to God. It challenges any notion that their obedience or acts of faith should automatically entitle them to special recognition or immediate reward from God, reinforcing the idea that service is an inherent expectation, not a favor.

Key Themes

  • Duty and Obligation: The primary theme is the servant's unquestioning duty to the master. This illustrates that believers are servants of God, and our service is an expected part of our relationship with Him, not something for which we should demand immediate praise or recompense.
  • Humility in Service: The servant in the illustration does not expect to be thanked or served in return after completing their tasks. This teaches believers to serve God with a humble heart, prioritizing His will and kingdom before their own comfort or desires.
  • Selflessness: The verse emphasizes the servant's focus on the master's needs first ("till I have eaten and drunken"). This encourages a selfless approach to Christian living, putting God's glory and the needs of others before personal gratification.

Linguistic Insights

  • "gird thyself" (Greek: perizōnnymi): This phrase refers to the ancient practice of tucking up one's long outer garment into a belt or sash. This action prepared a person for active service, physical labor, or travel, signifying readiness, diligence, and efficiency. It implies that the servant is to be fully prepared and focused on their duties.
  • "serve me" (Greek: diakoneō): This word is the root of our English word "deacon" and carries the connotation of humble, diligent service, often at tables or in practical ways. It emphasizes the active and attentive nature of the servant's role.

Practical Application

Luke 17:8 serves as a powerful reminder for all believers. Our service to God, whether through acts of faith, obedience, or spreading the Gospel, is not a favor we do for Him, but a fundamental duty and privilege. We are called to serve diligently and humbly, without expecting immediate praise or special treatment. Just as the master in the parable expects his servant to fulfill their duties first, God expects His children to be faithful stewards of His grace and purpose. Our reward, though certain and glorious, is ultimately given by God's grace and timing, as highlighted in the conclusion of this teaching in Luke 17:10, where Jesus states, "So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants; we have done that which was our duty to do." This verse encourages a spirit of dedicated and humble service to God, much like Christ Himself came not to be served, but to serve.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Luke 12:37

    Blessed [are] those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.

  • Genesis 43:16

    And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, Bring [these] men home, and slay, and make ready; for [these] men shall dine with me at noon.

  • 2 Samuel 12:20

    Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed [himself], and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.

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