Luke 17:8

KJV

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?

KJV (with Strong's)

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}?

Complete Jewish Bible

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.’

Berean Standard Bible

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’?

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Luke 17:8 is a rhetorical question posed by Jesus within a parable illustrating the nature of a servant's duty to his master. It depicts the common expectation that a servant, upon returning from the field, would first prepare and serve his master's meal, girding himself for diligent service, and only afterward attend to his own needs for food and drink. This scenario underscores the principle that fulfilling one's duty is an inherent expectation, not a commendable act deserving immediate special recognition or reward.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of a short but profound teaching by Jesus to His disciples, found in [Luke 17:7-10](/luke/17-7-10 "Luke 17:7-10 - The Parable of the Unprofitable Servant"). Immediately preceding this, Jesus discusses the necessity of [forgiveness (Luke 17:1-4)](/luke/17-1-4 "Luke 17:1-4 - Teaching on Forgiveness") and the immense [power of faith, even a small amount (Luke 17:5-6)](/luke/17-5-6 "Luke 17:5-6 - The Power of Faith"). The parable of the master and servant serves as a clarifying illustration, directly addressing any potential misconception that acts of obedience or faith automatically entitle the disciples to special praise or immediate recompense from God. It emphasizes that their service is a fundamental expectation, not a favor rendered. The teaching culminates in [Luke 17:10](/luke/17-10 "Luke 17:10 - We Are Unprofitable Servants"), where Jesus explicitly 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."
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the relationship between a master and his servant (often a bondservant or slave) was clearly defined by societal norms. Servants were considered property or deeply bound dependents, and their primary purpose was to serve the master's household and interests without question or expectation of special thanks for simply fulfilling their assigned duties. Their lives revolved around the master's needs. The master's authority was absolute, and the servant's obligation was total. This cultural reality provides the backdrop for Jesus' parable, making the master's expectation in [Luke 17:7-8](/luke/17-7-8 "Luke 17:7-8 - The Master's Expectation") entirely unremarkable and natural to His audience. It would have been unthinkable for a servant to expect to be served by the master after completing a day's work in the field.
* **Key Themes:** The parable in which [Luke 17:8](/luke/17-8 "Luke 17:8 - The Servant's Duty") is embedded contributes significantly to several key themes in Luke's Gospel and broader biblical theology. The primary theme is **Duty and Obligation**, highlighting that believers are God's servants, and their service is an inherent expectation of their relationship with Him, not a basis for demanding special recognition or reward. This leads to the theme of **Humility in Service**, as the servant does not expect praise or reciprocation, teaching believers to serve God with a humble heart, prioritizing His will and kingdom above personal comfort or accolade. Finally, the verse underscores **Selflessness**, emphasizing the servant's focus on the master's needs first ("till I have eaten and drunken"), which encourages a selfless approach to Christian living, putting God's glory and the needs of others before personal gratification, echoing the call to deny oneself found in passages like [Luke 9:23](/luke/9-23 "Luke 9:23 - Take Up Your Cross").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Make ready (Greek, _hetoimázō'_):** From ἕτοιμος, meaning "to prepare" or "to provide." This word signifies the active and intentional effort required of the servant to set the table and prepare the meal for the master. It implies diligence and foresight in fulfilling one's responsibilities.
* **gird thyself (Greek, _perizṓnnymi'_):** From περί (around) and ζώννυμι (to gird), meaning "to gird all around" or "to fasten on one's belt." In ancient times, long outer garments were tucked into a belt or sash to allow for freedom of movement during work or travel. This action symbolizes readiness, diligence, and efficiency for active service. It suggests the servant is to be fully prepared and focused on their duties, unencumbered by their attire.
* **serve (Greek, _diakonéō'_):** From διάκονος, meaning "to be an attendant" or "to wait upon." This word is the root of our English "deacon" and denotes humble, diligent service, often in practical ways like serving at tables. It emphasizes the active, attentive, and unassuming nature of the servant's role, prioritizing the master's needs.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And will not rather say unto him,"**: This phrase introduces a rhetorical question, implying that the master's actions are not only logical but also universally understood and expected. The "rather" (Greek, _allá'_) emphasizes the contrast between the servant's expectation of being served and the master's actual, rightful expectation.
* **"Make ready wherewith I may sup,"**: The master's first command to the returning servant is to prepare his evening meal. This highlights the master's immediate need and the servant's primary responsibility upon arrival.
* **"and gird thyself,"**: This command instructs the servant to prepare himself physically for active service, tucking up his garments for efficient movement. It signifies readiness and diligence in the task of serving.
* **"and serve me,"**: This is the core command, specifying the servant's direct duty: to wait on the master, attending to his needs during the meal. It underscores the servant's role as one who provides assistance and care.
* **"till I have eaten and drunken;"**: This clause sets the duration and priority of the servant's service. The servant is to attend to the master's needs exclusively and continuously until the master is fully satisfied. The servant's own needs are secondary.
* **"and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?"**: This final part of the rhetorical question confirms the natural order of things: only after the master's needs are completely met will the servant be permitted to attend to his own sustenance. The question implies a resounding "Yes, this is precisely what he would say," reinforcing the master's unquestioned authority and the servant's complete obligation.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in [Luke 17:8](/luke/17-8 "Luke 17:8 - The Servant's Duty") is a **Rhetorical Question** embedded within a larger **Parable** or illustrative analogy. The question "And will not rather say unto him...?" is not meant to be answered aloud but to provoke thought and affirm an obvious truth. It highlights the self-evident nature of the master's expectation in that cultural context, thereby making Jesus' subsequent point about the disciples' duty equally self-evident. The entire passage (Luke 17:7-10) functions as an **Analogy**, drawing a parallel between the human master-servant relationship and the divine Master-disciple relationship. This analogy serves as a powerful teaching tool, making abstract theological concepts of duty, humility, and grace concrete and relatable. The use of **Antithesis** is also evident, contrasting the servant's potential desire for immediate reward with the master's rightful expectation of service, and the priority of the master's needs over the servant's own.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 17:8, as part of Jesus' teaching on the "unprofitable servant," profoundly shapes our understanding of Christian service and discipleship. It challenges any notion that our obedience or acts of faith somehow put God in our debt, or that we are owed immediate praise or reward for simply doing what is expected of us. Instead, it emphasizes that service to God is a fundamental duty and privilege arising from our identity as His creation and His redeemed children. Our efforts, no matter how great, can never fully repay the infinite grace we have received. Therefore, we are called to serve diligently, humbly, and without expectation of commendation, recognizing that even our best efforts are simply what we are obligated to do. This perspective fosters a spirit of genuine humility and selfless dedication, reminding us that our ultimate reward is found in God's grace and His timing, not in our own merit.
* [Luke 17:10](/luke/17-10 "Luke 17:10 - We Are Unprofitable Servants") - The direct conclusion to this parable, explicitly stating the "unprofitable servant" principle.
* [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifice") - Calls believers to present their bodies as a living sacrifice, which is their "reasonable service."
* [1 Corinthians 4:1-2](/1_corinthians/4-1-2 "1 Corinthians 4:1-2 - Stewards of God's Mysteries") - Emphasizes that stewards (servants) are required to be found faithful.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 17:8 serves as a powerful and sometimes challenging mirror for our hearts. In a culture that often emphasizes individual rights, personal fulfillment, and immediate gratification, this verse calls us back to a foundational truth of discipleship: our relationship with God is one of loving submission and diligent service. It reminds us that our acts of worship, obedience, and ministry are not favors we do for God, nor are they bargaining chips to earn His blessing. Rather, they are the natural and expected outflow of a life transformed by His grace. This perspective cultivates genuine humility, freeing us from the burden of seeking human applause or demanding divine recognition for our efforts. It encourages us to find our satisfaction in simply fulfilling our God-given purpose, trusting that our ultimate reward is secured by His grace, not our performance. Our focus should be on God's glory and the needs of His kingdom, serving with a selfless heart, knowing that our true value and reward come from being His beloved children, not from our "profitability."

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of being an "unprofitable servant" challenge my assumptions about my service to God?**
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to seek immediate recognition or reward for my efforts, and how can I cultivate a more humble, duty-oriented approach?**
* **How can understanding this parable deepen my appreciation for God's grace, realizing that my salvation and blessings are not earned but freely given?**
* **What practical steps can I take to prioritize God's will and the needs of others before my own comfort and desires, as exemplified by the servant in this verse?**

### FAQ

**Does this parable mean God doesn't appreciate our service or that we won't be rewarded?**

Answer: No, this parable does not imply that God is unappreciative or that there are no rewards for faithful service. Rather, it reframes our perspective on *why* and *how* we serve. The point of [Luke 17:7-10](/luke/17-7-10 "Luke 17:7-10 - The Parable of the Unprofitable Servant") is to correct any notion that our service places God in our debt or that we can earn His favor. Our service is a duty and privilege that flows from our relationship with Him, and it is always a response to His prior grace. While God certainly promises rewards for faithfulness (e.g., [Matthew 6:4](/matthew/6-4 "Matthew 6:4 - Reward for Giving in Secret") or [Revelation 22:12](/revelation/22-12 "Revelation 22:12 - Jesus' Return and Reward")), these rewards are ultimately expressions of His grace, not wages earned by our merit. The parable emphasizes humility and the understanding that we can never "earn" our salvation or God's love; we simply do what is expected of those who have been given so much.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [Luke 17:8](/luke/17-8 "Luke 17:8 - The Servant's Duty") speaks to the duty of human servants, its deepest fulfillment is found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus, though God incarnate, perfectly embodied the spirit of the "unprofitable servant" in His absolute obedience and selfless service to the Father. He did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")). His entire earthly ministry was a continuous act of "girding Himself" for service, prioritizing the Father's will and the needs of humanity above His own comfort or desires, even to the point of death on the cross ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility and Exaltation")). He "made ready" the way for our salvation and "served" us by bearing our sins, not for any personal gain, but out of perfect love and obedience. In His ultimate sacrifice, Jesus fulfilled the duty of the perfect servant, not as one who was "unprofitable" in the sense of being useless, but as one who perfectly accomplished the Father's will without demanding anything in return, thereby earning for us the ultimate "reward" of eternal life through His grace ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love Demonstrated")). He is the Master who became the Servant, setting the supreme example for all who follow Him.

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

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.