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Luke 17
Luke 17:1
Connecting Statement:
Jesus continues teaching, but he directs his attention back to his disciples. This is still the same part of the story and the same day that began in Luke 15:3.
It is certain there will be stumbling blocks
"Things that tempt people to sin will certainly happen"
to that person through whom they come
"to anyone who causes the temptations to come" or "to any person who causes people to be tempted"
Luke 17:2
It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble
You may need to make explicit that Jesus is comparing the punishment for causing people to sin to being thrown into the sea. Alternate translation: "It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea than that he should suffer the more severe punishment for causing one of these little ones to stumble" or "He would suffer less if a millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea than if he should cause one of these little ones to stumble" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
if a millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea
This was a terrible punishment. It can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "if they were to put a millstone around his neck and throw him into the sea" or "if someone were to put a heavy stone around his neck and push him into the sea" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
for him ... his neck ... he were ... he should
The words "him," "his," and "he" refer to "that person" through whom things that cause people to sin come. (See Luke 17:1). They refer to anyone who causes people to sin, to women as well as to men. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-gendernotations)
a millstone
This is a very large, heavy circular stone used for grinding wheat grain into flour. Alternate translation: "a heavy stone"
these little ones
This here refers to people whose faith is still weak. Alternate translation: "these people whose faith is small"
to stumble
This was a way of referring to unintentional sin. Alternate translation: "to sin"
Luke 17:3
If your brother sins
This is a conditional statement that talks about an event that will probably happen in the future.
your brother
"brother" is here used in the sense of someone with the same belief. Alternate translation: "a fellow believer"
rebuke him
"tell him strongly that what he did was wrong" or "correct him"
Luke 17:4
seven times in the day, and seven times
The number seven in the Bible is a symbol for completeness. Alternate translation: "many times in a day, and each time" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Luke 17:5
General Information:
There is a brief break in Jesus's teachings as the disciples speak to him. Then Jesus continues teaching.
Increase our faith
"Please give us more faith" or "Please add more faith to our faith"
Luke 17:6
If you had faith like a mustard seed, you
A mustard seed is a very small seed. Jesus implies that they do not have even a small amount of faith. Alternate translation: "If you had faith that was even as small as a mustard seed, you" or "Your faith is not as big as a mustard seed—but if it were, you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
mulberry tree
If this type of tree is not familiar, it may be helpful to substitute another type of tree. Alternate translation: "fig tree" or "tree" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-unknown)
Be uprooted, and be planted in the sea
These can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Uproot yourself and plant yourself in the sea" or "Take your roots out of the ground, and put your roots down into the ocean" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
it would obey you
"the tree would obey you." This result is conditional. It would happen only if they had faith.
Luke 17:7
But which of you, who ... sheep, will say ... sit down to eat'?
Jesus asks his disciples a question to help them think about the role of a servant. This could be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "But none of you who ... sheep would say ... sit down to eat.'" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
a servant plowing or keeping sheep
"a servant that plows your field or takes care of your sheep"
Luke 17:8
Will he not say to him ... eat and drink'?
Jesus uses a second question explain how the disciples would actually treat a servant. This can be a statement. Alternate translation: "He would certainly say to him ... eat and drink'" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
put a belt around your clothes and serve me
"tie your clothes at your waist and serve me" or "dress up properly and take care of me." People would tie their clothes closely around their waist so that their clothes would not get in their way while they worked. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Then afterward
"Then after you serve me"
Luke 17:9
He does not thank the servant ... commanded, does he?
Jesus uses this question to show how people treat servants. This can be a statement. Alternate translation: "He would not thank the servant ... commanded." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
the things that were commanded
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "the things you commanded him to do" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
does he?
"right?" or "is this not true?"
Luke 17:10
Connecting Statement:
Jesus finishes teaching. This is the end of this part of the story.
you also
Jesus was speaking to his disciples, so languages that have a plural form of "you" would use it. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-you)
that you are commanded
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "that God has commanded you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
We are unworthy servants
This is an exaggeration to express that they did not do anything worthy of praise. Alternate translation: "We are ordinary slaves" or "We servants do not deserve your praise" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-hyperbole)
Luke 17:11
General Information:
This begins the story of Jesus healing 10 men of leprosy.
It came about that
This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new event. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-newevent)
as he traveled to Jerusalem
"as Jesus and the disciples were traveling to Jerusalem"
Luke 17:12
General Information:
This is the beginning of the background information and the setting of the story of Jesus healing the ten lepers. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-background)
a certain village
This phrase does not identify the village.
there he was met by ten men who were lepers
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "ten men who were lepers met him" or "ten men who had leprosy met him" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
They stood far away from him
This was a respectful gesture, because lepers were not allowed to approach other people. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Luke 17:13
General Information:
This is the end of the background information and the setting of the story of Jesus healing the ten lepers. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-background)
they lifted up their voices
The idiom "to lift up one's voice" means to speak loudly. Alternate translation: "they called with loud voices" or "they called aloud" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
have mercy on us
They were specifically asking to be healed. Alternate translation: "please show us mercy by healing us" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Luke 17:14
show yourselves to the priests
Lepers were required to have the priests verify that their leprosy was healed. Alternate translation: "show yourselves to the priests so they can examine you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
they were cleansed
When people were healed, they were no longer ceremonially unclean. This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: "they were healed of their leprosy and so became clean" or "they were cured of their leprosy" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Luke 17:15
saw that he was healed
"realized that he was healed" or "realized that Jesus had healed him"
he turned back
"he went back to Jesus"
with a loud voice glorifying God
"and glorified God loudly"
Luke 17:16
He fell on his face at Jesus's feet
"he knelt down and put his face close to Jesus's feet." He did this to honor Jesus. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-symaction)
Luke 17:17
Then Jesus said
Jesus responded to what the man did, but he was speaking to the group of people around him. Alternate translation: "So Jesus said to the crowd" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Were not the ten cleansed?
This is the first of three rhetorical questions. Jesus used them to show the people around him how surprised and disappointed he was that only one of the ten men came back to glorify God. Alternate translation: "Ten men were healed." or "God healed ten men." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
Where are the nine?
"Why did not the other nine come back?" This can be a statement. Alternate translation: "The other nine men should have come back, too." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
Luke 17:18
Were there no others who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?
This can be a statement. Alternate translation: "There were no others who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner!" or "God healed ten men, yet only this foreigner came back to give glory to God!" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-doublenegatives)
this foreigner
Samaritans had non-Jewish ancestors and they did not worship God in the same way that the Jews did.
Luke 17:19
Connecting Statement:
This is the end of the part of the story about Jesus healing the 10 lepers.
Your faith has made you well
"Because of your faith you have become well." The idea of "faith" can be expressed with the verb "believe." Alternate translation: "Because you believe, you are well again" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
Luke 17:20
General Information:
We do not know where this event takes place; it simply happens one day when Jesus is talking with the Pharisees.
Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come,
This is the beginning of a new event. Some translations start it with "One day" or "Once." It can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "One day the Pharisees asked Jesus, 'When will the kingdom of God come?'" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-newevent and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-quotations)
The kingdom of God does not come with careful observing
People thought that they would be able to see signs of the kingdom coming. The idea of signs can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "The kingdom of God does not come with signs that people can observe" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Luke 17:21
the kingdom of God is within you
The idea of the noun "kingdom" can be expressed with the verb "rules." Alternate translation: "God rules within you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
the kingdom of God is within you
Jesus was speaking to the religious leaders who were hostile to him. Possible meanings are 1) the word "you" refers to people in general. Alternate translation: "the kingdom of God is within people" or 2) the word translated "within" means "among." Alternate translation: "the kingdom of God is among you"
Luke 17:22
Connecting Statement:
Jesus begins to teach his disciples.
The days are coming when
The idea of days days coming represents something being soon. Alternate translation: "A time is coming when" or "Soon" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
you will desire to see
"you will want very much to see" or "you will wish to experience"
one of the days of the Son of Man
This refers to the kingdom of God. Alternate translation: "one of the days when the Son of Man will rule as king" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
the Son of Man
Jesus is speaking about himself. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-123person)
but you will not see it
"you will not experience it"
Luke 17:23
Look, there! Look, here!
This refers to seeking the Messiah. Alternate translation: "Look, the Messiah is over there! He is over here!" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
do not go out or run after them
The purpose of going out can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "do not go with them to look" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Luke 17:24
as the lightning shines brightly ... so will the Son of Man be
When lightning flashes, people can see it clearly. This is a metaphor for the way the Son of Man will appear: when he does, everyone will see him clearly. Alternate translation: "as the people can see lightning clearly when it flashes ... so they will clearly see the Son of Man" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)
so will the Son of Man be in his day
This refers to the future kingdom of God. Alternate translation: "it will be like that on the day when the Son of Man comes to reign" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
so will the Son of Man be
Jesus speaks of himself in the third person. Alternate translation: "so will I, the Son of Man, be" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-123person)
Luke 17:25
But first he must suffer
"But first the Son of Man must suffer." Jesus is speaking about himself in the third person. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-123person)
be rejected by this generation
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "the people of this generation must reject him" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Luke 17:26
As it happened ... even so will it also happen
"As people were doing things ... even so people will be doing the same things"
in the days of Noah
The "days of Noah" refers to the time during Noah's life just before God punished the people of the world. Alternate translation: "when Noah was living"
in the days of the Son of Man
The "days of the Son of Man" refers to the period just before the Son of Man will come. Alternate translation: "when the Son of Man is about to come"
Luke 17:27
They ate, they drank, they married, and they were given in marriage
People were doing ordinary things. They did not know or care that God was about to judge them.
they were given in marriage
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "parents were allowing their daughters to marry men" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
the ark
"the ship" or "the barge"
destroyed them all
This does not include Noah and his family who were in the ark. Alternate translation: "destroyed all those who were not in the boat"
Luke 17:28
they were eating and drinking
"the people of Sodom were eating and drinking"
Luke 17:29
it rained fire and sulfur from heaven
"fire and burning sulfur fell from the sky like rain"
destroyed them all
This does not include Lot and his family. Alternate translation: "destroyed all those who stayed in the city"
Luke 17:30
After the same manner it will be
"It will be like that." Alternate translation: "In the same way people will not be ready" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
in the day that the Son of Man is revealed
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "when the Son of Man appears" or "when the Son of man comes" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
the Son of Man is revealed
Jesus is speaking about himself. Alternate translation: "I, the Son of Man, am revealed" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-123person)
Luke 17:31
let him who is on the housetop not go down
"whoever is on the housetop must not go down" or "if anyone is on his housetop, he must not go down." This is a statement of what people should not do, not a command to the hearers.
on the housetop
Their housetops were flat and people could walk or sit on them.
his goods
"his possessions" or "his things"
return
They are not to go back to the house to get anything. They are to flee quickly. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Luke 17:32
Remember Lot's wife
"Remember what happened to Lot's wife" This is a warning. She looked back toward Sodom and God punished her along with the people of Sodom. Alternate translation: "Do not do what Lot's wife did"(See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
Luke 17:33
Whoever seeks to gain his life will lose it
"People who try save their lives will lose them" or "Whoever tries to save his old way of life will lose his life"
but whoever loses his life will save it
"but people who lose their lives will save them" or "but whoever abandons his old way of life will save his life"
Luke 17:34
I tell you
As Jesus continues to address his disciples, he emphasizes the importance of what he is telling them.
in that night
This refers to what will happen if he, the Son of Man, comes during the night.
there will be two people in one bed
The emphasis is not on these two people, but on the fact that some people will be taken away and the others will be left.
bed
"couch" or "cot"
One will be taken, and the other will be left
"One person will be taken and the other person will be left behind." This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God will take one person and leave the other" or "Angels will take one and leave behind the other" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
Luke 17:35
There will be two women grinding together
The emphasis is not on these two women or their activity, but on the fact that some people will be taken away and the others will be left.
grinding together
"grinding grain together"
Luke 17:36
General Information:
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Luke 17:37
General Information:
The disciples ask Jesus a question about his teaching and he answers them.
Where, Lord?
"Lord, where will this happen?"
Where there is a body, there will the vultures also be gathered together
Apparently this is a proverb that means "It will be obvious" or "You will know it when it happens." Alternate translation: "As vultures gathering shows that there is a dead body, so these things show that the Son of Man is coming" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-proverbs)
vultures
Vultures are large birds that fly together and eat the flesh of dead animals that they find. You could describe these birds this way or use the word for local birds that do this. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-unknown)