Luke 17:9

KJV

Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.

KJV (with Strong's)

{G3361} Doth he {G2192} thank {G5485} that {G1565} servant {G1401} because {G3754} he did {G4160} the things that were commanded {G1299} him {G846}? I trow {G1380} not {G3756}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Does he thank the slave because he did what he was told to do? No!

Berean Standard Bible

Does he thank the servant because he did what he was told?

American Standard Version

Doth he thank the servant because he did the things that were commanded?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 17:9 forms a pivotal rhetorical question within Jesus's parable of the dutiful servant, challenging the disciples' understanding of service and merit. It highlights the inherent expectation that a servant performs commanded tasks not for special commendation or thanks, but as a fundamental aspect of their role and obligation. This verse underscores the principle that fulfilling one's duty, even diligently, does not create an additional claim to reward or gratitude from the master, setting the stage for the concluding statement about being "unprofitable servants."

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 17:9 is embedded within a broader discourse by Jesus to His disciples, immediately following teachings on the power of faith (even "mustard seed" faith to move a tree, [Luke 17:6](/luke/17-6 "Luke 17:6 - The Power of Faith")) and the necessity of forgiveness (up to seventy times seven, [Luke 17:3-4](/luke/17-3-4 "Luke 17:3-4 - Forgiveness and Repentance")). The parable itself, spanning [Luke 17:7-10](/luke/17-7-10 "Luke 17:7-10 - The Parable of the Unprofitable Servant"), illustrates the nature of service and duty. Jesus describes a servant who, after a full day of labor in the field, is expected to prepare and serve his master's meal before attending to his own needs. The rhetorical question in verse 9, "Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not," serves to drive home the point that fulfilling one's basic obligations does not earn special merit or gratitude, culminating in the profound statement of [Luke 17:10](/luke/17-10 "Luke 17:10 - We are Unprofitable Servants") that "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 world, particularly within the Roman and Jewish societal structures of Jesus's time, the relationship between a master (κύριος, _kyrios_) and a servant or slave (δοῦλος, _doulos_) was clearly defined. Servants were considered property or deeply indebted individuals, and their lives were entirely subservient to the master's will. There was no expectation of payment, thanks, or special recognition for simply performing assigned duties. A servant's labor was owed to the master as a matter of course, and failure to perform could result in severe punishment. This cultural reality provides the backdrop for Jesus's parable, making the master's expected lack of thanks for the servant's dutiful work entirely understandable to His audience. The parable leverages this common social dynamic to illustrate a spiritual truth about humanity's relationship with God.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Luke's Gospel and broader biblical theology. It strongly emphasizes the theme of **Duty and Obedience**, asserting that fulfilling God's commands is not a basis for earning divine favor but a fundamental expectation of discipleship. It also highlights **Humility in Service**, challenging any notion that our actions, however diligent, could obligate God to us or earn us special merit. Instead, it fosters a spirit where service is rendered out of recognition of one's place before God, not for personal gain or glory. Furthermore, while emphasizing duty, the parable implicitly points to the overarching theme of **Grace, Not Merit**. Our salvation, blessings, and relationship with God are not earned through our obedience but are freely given by His grace. Our obedience is a grateful response to this grace, rather than a means to acquire it, reinforcing the idea that even our best efforts fall short of earning God's favor, as seen in the broader teachings of [Luke's Gospel](/luke/1 "The Gospel of Luke").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **thank (Greek, _cháris'_):** This word, often translated as "grace," "favor," or "gratitude," signifies a positive response, a feeling of obligation for a benefit received. In the context of Luke 17:9, the rhetorical question implies that the master does not feel such an obligation or offer special thanks to the servant for merely doing what is expected. It highlights the absence of an earned "grace" or "favor" on the part of the servant for their basic duty.
* **commanded (Greek, _diatássō'_):** Meaning "to arrange thoroughly," "institute," or "prescribe," this word refers to the specific instructions or orders given by the master to the servant. The servant's actions are not self-initiated acts of supererogation but direct obedience to established directives. This emphasizes the non-negotiable nature of the servant's duties and the master's authority.
* **servant (Greek, _doûlos'_):** This term denotes a slave or bond-servant, emphasizing a complete subjection or subservience. The _doûlos_ had no rights of their own and existed solely to fulfill the will of their master. This word is crucial for understanding the parable's core message: the inherent, non-negotiable obligation of the servant to the master, without expectation of reward for basic performance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him?"**: This is a rhetorical question, designed to elicit an obvious "no" from the audience. It presents a scenario where a master would not feel compelled to offer special gratitude or commendation to a servant who has simply performed their expected duties. The emphasis is on the lack of extraordinary merit in fulfilling basic obligations. The servant's actions, though diligent, are not above and beyond what is required.
* **"I trow not."**: This archaic English phrase, meaning "I think not" or "I suppose not," serves as Jesus's explicit answer to the rhetorical question. It confirms the implied negative, reinforcing the common understanding of the master-servant relationship in that culture. It underscores the self-evident nature of the principle: basic duty does not earn special thanks.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 17:9 employs several potent literary devices. Primarily, it utilizes a **Rhetorical Question**, "Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him?" This question is not posed to elicit information but to make a point more forcefully, assuming a universally understood negative answer. This technique engages the listener, prompting them to agree with the underlying premise. The verse is also part of a larger **Parable**, a short, illustrative story that conveys a moral or spiritual lesson. By using the familiar master-servant dynamic, Jesus makes an abstract theological truth concrete and relatable. Furthermore, there is an element of **Irony** or **Understatement** in the master's expected lack of thanks. While the servant's work is arduous and continuous, the parable highlights that from the master's perspective, it is merely what is owed, thus stripping away any sense of earned merit for the servant.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 17:9, along with the subsequent verse, profoundly shapes our understanding of Christian service and God's grace. It challenges any notion of earning salvation or merit through our works, no matter how diligent or faithful. Our obedience to God is not a transaction where we accrue credit, but a fundamental response to His Lordship and an expression of our identity as His creation and His children. The parable teaches that even when we perform all that God commands, we are simply fulfilling our duty, and our service does not place God in our debt. This truth guards against spiritual pride and legalism, directing our focus to God's unmerited favor as the sole source of our standing before Him.

* [Romans 3:23-24](/romans/3-23-24 "Romans 3:23-24 - All Have Sinned and Are Justified by Grace")
* [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith")
* [Philippians 2:12-13](/philippians/2-12-13 "Philippians 2:12-13 - Work Out Your Salvation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 17:9 serves as a crucial corrective for believers in every generation, reminding us that our service to God is not a means to accumulate spiritual merit or earn His favor, but a humble response to His sovereign call and our inherent duty as His creation. In a world that often measures worth by achievement and reward, this verse calls us to a counter-cultural posture of selfless service. It encourages us to perform our acts of faith, love, and obedience not with an expectation of praise or special recognition, but out of a pure heart that seeks to honor God and fulfill His will. This perspective liberates us from the burden of performance-based spirituality, allowing us to serve diligently and joyfully, knowing that our ultimate standing before God is secured by His grace, not our imperfect efforts. It cultivates a spirit of profound humility, recognizing that even our best is simply what is owed to the One who gave us everything.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of being an "unprofitable servant" challenge my understanding of my own spiritual efforts and achievements?**
* **Am I serving God out of a desire for recognition or reward, or out of a humble heart of duty and love?**
* **In what areas of my life do I need to cultivate a greater sense of humble obedience, free from the expectation of special thanks?**

### FAQ
**What does "I trow not" mean in modern English?**

Answer: The phrase "I trow not" is an archaic expression found in the King James Version of the Bible. The word "trow" comes from an Old English word meaning "to believe," "to think," or "to suppose." Therefore, "I trow not" simply means "I think not," "I suppose not," or "I do not believe so." It functions as Jesus's direct and emphatic negative answer to the rhetorical question He poses, confirming the self-evident nature of the master's expected response.

**Does this verse imply that God does not appreciate our service?**

Answer: No, this verse does not imply that God does not appreciate our service. Rather, it clarifies the *nature* of that service from our perspective. The parable is designed to counter any human tendency to believe that by performing our duties, we somehow put God in our debt or earn special merit that obligates Him to us. God is infinitely gracious and does indeed acknowledge and reward faithfulness ([Matthew 25:21](/matthew/25-21 "Matthew 25:21 - Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant")). However, the point of [Luke 17:9-10](/luke/17-9-10 "Luke 17:9-10 - The Unprofitable Servant") is to instill humility, reminding us that even our best efforts are simply what is owed to our Creator and Redeemer, and that our salvation and blessings flow from His grace, not our earned merit.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 17:9, with its stark portrayal of the dutiful servant, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment not in the idea that Jesus was an "unprofitable servant" (for He perfectly fulfilled the Father's will and earned all merit), but in how it illuminates the nature of our relationship with God through Him. Jesus Himself embodied perfect obedience, declaring, "[I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me](/john/6-38 "John 6:38 - Jesus Does the Father's Will")." His entire life was one of selfless service, culminating in His ultimate act of obedience on the cross, where He "[humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")" for us. We, as those who are "bought with a price" ([1 Corinthians 6:20](/1_corinthians/6-20 "1 Corinthians 6:20 - Bought with a Price")), are now servants of Christ, called to live in obedience not to earn salvation, but as a grateful response to the salvation freely given through Him. Our service, though imperfect, is accepted by God not on its own merit, but because we are "in Christ," whose perfect obedience covers our deficiencies. Thus, the parable ultimately points to the grace-based reality of the New Covenant, where our duty is transformed by love, and our service is a joyful outpouring of gratitude for the One who served us first and perfectly.

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.