New International VersionSo you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”
New Living TranslationIn the same way, when you obey me you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.’”
English Standard VersionSo you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’”
Berean Standard BibleSo you also, when you have done everything commanded of you, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”
Berean Literal BibleThus you also, when you may have done all the things having been commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have done that which we were bound to do.'"
King James BibleSo 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.
New King James VersionSo likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’ ”
New American Standard BibleSo you too, when you do all the things which were commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.’”
NASB 1995“So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.’”
NASB 1977“So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.’”
Legacy Standard BibleIn this way, you also, when you do all the things which are commanded of you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.’”
Amplified BibleSo you too, when you have done everything that was assigned and commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy servants [undeserving of praise or a reward, for we have not gone beyond our obligation]; we have merely done what we ought to do.’”
Christian Standard BibleIn the same way, when you have done all that you were commanded, you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we’ve only done our duty.’ ”
Holman Christian Standard BibleIn the same way, when you have done all that you were commanded, you should say, We are good-for-nothing slaves; we’ve only done our duty.’”
American Standard VersionEven so ye also, when ye shall have done all the things that are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants; we have done that which it was our duty to do.
Contemporary English VersionAnd that's how it should be with you. When you've done all you should, then say, "We are merely servants, and we have simply done our duty."
English Revised VersionEven so ye also, when ye shall have done all the things that are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants; we have done that which it was our duty to do.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationThat's the way it is with you. When you've done everything you're ordered to do, say, 'We're worthless servants. We've only done our duty.'"
Good News TranslationIt is the same with you; when you have done all you have been told to do, say, 'We are ordinary servants; we have only done our duty.'"
International Standard VersionThat's the way it is with you. When you have done everything you were ordered to do, say, 'We are worthless servants. We have done only what we ought to have done.'"
NET BibleSo you too, when you have done everything you were commanded to do, should say, 'We are slaves undeserving of special praise; we have only done what was our duty.'"
New Heart English BibleEven so you also, when you have done all the things that are commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy servants. We have done our duty.'"
Webster's Bible TranslationSo likewise ye, when ye shall have done all the things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which it was our duty to do.
Weymouth New TestamentSo you also, when you have obeyed all the orders given you, must say, "'There is no merit in our service: what we have done is only what we were in duty bound to do.'" Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSo you also, when you have done everything commanded of you, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”
World English BibleEven so you also, when you have done all the things that are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy servants. We have done our duty.’” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionSo also you, when you may have done all the things directed you, say, We are unprofitable servants, because that which we owed to do we have done.”
Berean Literal BibleThus you also, when you may have done all the things having been commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have done that which we were bound to do.'"
Young's Literal Translation 'So also ye, when ye may have done all the things directed you, say -- We are unprofitable servants, because that which we owed to do -- we have done.'
Smith's Literal TranslationSo also ye, when ye do all appointed you, say, That we are useless servants: for what we ought to do, we have done. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleI think not. So you also, when you shall have done all these things that are commanded you, say: We are unprofitable servants; we have done that which we ought to do.
Catholic Public Domain VersionI think not. So too, when you have done all these things that have been taught to you, you should say: ‘We are useless servants. We have done what we should have done.’ ”
New American BibleSo should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.’ ”
New Revised Standard VersionSo you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, ‘We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!’” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleEven you also, when you have done all the things which are commanded you, say, We are idle servants; we have only done what was our duty to do.
Aramaic Bible in Plain English“So also you, whenever you have done all those things that were commanded you, you should say, 'We are unprofitable servants, because we have done that which we were obligated to do.' “ NT Translations Anderson New TestamentSo also you, when you shall have done all things that you arc commanded to do, say, We are unprofitable servants; for we have done what was our duty to do.
Godbey New Testament
Likewise also, when you may do those things which are commanded you, say that, We are unprofitable servants; we have done that which we ought to do.
Haweis New Testament
So also ye, when ye have done all things commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: for we have but done what was our duty to do.
Mace New Testament
so when you have done all that you were commanded to do, say, we are unprofitable servants; we have only done what was our duty to do.
Weymouth New Testament
So you also, when you have obeyed all the orders given you, must say, "'There is no merit in our service: what we have done is only what we were in duty bound to do.'"
Worrell New Testament
So also ye, when ye do all the things that were commanded you, say, 'We are unprofitable servants; we have done what it was our duty to do.'
Worsley New Testament
I think not. So likewise ye, when ye have done allthings that were commanded you, say we are unprofitable servants, for we have doneonly what we ought to do.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Power of Faith… 9Does he thank the servant because he did what he was told? 10Soyoualso,whenyou have doneeverythingcommandedof you,should say,‘We areunworthyservants;we have only doneour duty.’”11While Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem, He was passing between Samaria and Galilee.…
Cross References Matthew 20:1-16“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. / He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. / About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. ...
Romans 6:16-18Do you not know that when you offer yourselves as obedient slaves, you are slaves to the one you obey, whether you are slaves to sin leading to death, or to obedience leading to righteousness? / But thanks be to God that, though you once were slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were committed. / You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
1 Corinthians 9:16-17Yet when I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because I am obligated to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! / If my preaching is voluntary, I have a reward. But if it is not voluntary, I am still entrusted with a responsibility.
Matthew 25:14-30For it is just like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted them with his possessions. / To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent—each according to his own ability. And he went on his journey. / The servant who had received the five talents went at once and put them to work and gained five more. ...
Philippians 2:5-8Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: / Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, / but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. ...
1 Corinthians 4:1-2So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. / Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.
Romans 12:1Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
Ephesians 6:5-8Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. / And do this not only to please them while they are watching, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. / Serve with good will, as to the Lord and not to men, ...
Colossians 3:22-24Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord. / Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, as for the Lord and not for men, / because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
1 Peter 2:18-19Servants, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but even to those who are unreasonable. / For if anyone endures the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God, this is to be commended.
Matthew 24:45-47Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of his household, to give the others their food at the proper time? / Blessed is that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. / Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.
John 13:13-16You call Me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, because I am. / So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. / I have set you an example so that you should do as I have done for you. ...
2 Corinthians 5:14-15For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died. / And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again.
Galatians 1:10Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Titus 2:9-10Slaves are to submit to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, / not stealing from them, but showing all good faith, so that in every respect they will adorn the teaching about God our Savior.
Treasury of Scripture So likewise you, when you 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. 1 Chronicles 29:14-16 But whoam I, and whatis my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all thingscome of thee, and of thine own have we given thee… Job 22:2,3 Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself? … Job 35:6,7 If thou sinnest, what doest thou against him? orif thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him? … Jump to Previous BondmenBoundCommandedDirectedDutyLikewiseMeritObeyedOrderedOrdersOwedProfitServantsServiceSlavesUnprofitableUnworthyJump to Next BondmenBoundCommandedDirectedDutyLikewiseMeritObeyedOrderedOrdersOwedProfitServantsServiceSlavesUnprofitableUnworthyLuke 17 1.Jesus teaches to avoid occasions of offense;3.and to forgive one another.5.The power of faith.6.How we are bound to God.11.Jesus heals ten lepers.22.Of the kingdom of God, and the coming of the Son of Man.So you also,This phrase indicates a direct application to the disciples and, by extension, to all believers. It follows a parable about servants, emphasizing the role of followers of Christ as servants in God's kingdom. The use of "you also" connects the teaching to the broader context of humility and service. when you have done everything commanded of you,
This highlights the expectation of obedience to God's commands. The phrase suggests completeness in fulfilling God's will, echoing the biblical theme of obedience found throughout Scripture, such as inDeuteronomy 6:5 andJohn 14:15. It underscores the idea that believers are to follow God's commands fully, not selectively. should say,
This implies a prescribed response or attitude that believers are to adopt. It suggests a verbal acknowledgment of one's position before God, reflecting a heart posture of humility and recognition of God's sovereignty. ‘We are unworthy servants;
The term "unworthy" reflects a recognition of one's position before God, acknowledging that any service rendered is not meritorious but a duty. This echoes the humility of figures like John the Baptist, who said he was not worthy to untie Jesus' sandals (John 1:27). The concept of servanthood is central to Jesus' teachings, as seen inMark 10:45, where Jesus describes Himself as a servant. we have only done our duty.’”
This phrase emphasizes the idea of duty rather than merit. It reflects the biblical principle that service to God is an obligation, not something that earns favor or reward. This aligns with the teachings inRomans 12:1, where believers are urged to offer themselves as living sacrifices, which is described as their "reasonable service." The notion of duty also connects to the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), where servants are expected to fulfill their responsibilities. Persons / Places / Events 1. Jesus ChristThe speaker of this verse, providing a teaching to His disciples about humility and service. 2. DisciplesThe immediate audience of Jesus' teaching, representing all followers of Christ who are called to serve. 3. ServantsA metaphorical reference to believers, emphasizing their role and duty in the Kingdom of God. Teaching Points Understanding Our RoleAs believers, we are called to be servants of Christ. Our service is not for personal glory but for fulfilling our duty to God. Humility in ServiceRecognize that our works do not earn us favor with God; rather, they are the expected response to His grace. Faithfulness in DutyWe are to be diligent and faithful in our service, understanding that it is our responsibility as followers of Christ. Gratitude for GraceAcknowledge that our ability to serve is a result of God's grace, and our response should be one of gratitude and humility. Avoiding PrideGuard against pride by remembering that our service is simply fulfilling what is required of us as God's servants. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Luke 17:10?
2.How does Luke 17:10 encourage humility in our daily Christian service?
3.What does "unworthy servants" in Luke 17:10 reveal about our role before God?
4.How can we apply the principle of duty from Luke 17:10 today?
5.Which other scriptures emphasize serving God without expecting rewards or recognition?
6.How does understanding Luke 17:10 impact our attitude towards serving others?
7.What does Luke 17:10 reveal about the nature of servitude in Christian life?
8.How does Luke 17:10 challenge the concept of entitlement in faith?
9.Why does Jesus emphasize humility in Luke 17:10?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Luke 17?
11.What happens when a wayward son returns home?
12.What are the duties of a Christian life coach?
13.John 15:15: How can Jesus call his followers “friends” here, yet other scriptures refer to them as “servants” or “slaves” (e.g., Romans 1:1)?
14.What are the main themes of the Bible's books?What Does Luke 17:10 Mean So you alsoJesus turns directly to His followers, pulling them into the illustration He has just given about a servant’s role (Luke 17:7-9). The phrase reminds us: • Discipleship is personal—each believer must apply these truths (Luke 6:46;James 1:22). • Our relationship to Him is that of servant to Master, not partner to equal (John 13:13).
When you have done everything commanded of youThe Lord assumes wholehearted obedience, not selective compliance. • Obedience encompasses every revealed command (John 14:15;Ecclesiastes 12:13). • There is no point at which we may say, “I have arrived” (Philippians 3:13-14). • Great Commission living—“teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20)—is the standard.
Should sayOur first words after obeying aren’t self-congratulation but humble acknowledgment. • Praise belongs to God alone (Psalm 115:1). • Even good works are prepared in advance by Him (Ephesians 2:10). • Let another praise you, not your own mouth (Proverbs 27:2).
We are unworthy servantsHere is the heart posture Jesus seeks. • Salvation is by grace, never by merit (Ephesians 2:8-9;Titus 3:5). • Compared to God’s holiness, our righteousness is “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). • Christ Himself modeled this humility (Philippians 2:5-7).
We have only done our dutyObedience is simply what servants owe their Master. • Everything we have—including ability to obey—is received (1 Corinthians 4:7). • Reasonable worship is to present our bodies as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1). • Faithful servants await the Master’s “Well done,” not the world’s applause (Matthew 25:21).
summaryLuke 17:10 teaches that complete obedience to Christ is the basic expectation, not a cause for self-exaltation. After fulfilling every command, the disciple still stands empty-handed, owing everything to grace. Our proper confession remains: “We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.” (10) Say, We are unprofitable servants.--There is something very suggestive in the use of the same word as that which meets us in the parable of the Talents ( Matthew 25:30). God, we are taught, may recognise and reward the varying use which men make of gifts and opportunities. But all boasting is excluded; and in relation to God the man who has gained the ten talents has to own that he has nothing that he has not received, and to confess that he stands, as it were, on a level with the "unprofitable servant." Any personal claim on the ground of merit falls to the ground before such a declaration, and still more any speculative theory of works of supererogation, and of the transfer of the merits gained by them from one man to his fellow-servants and fellow-sinners.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek Soοὕτως(houtōs)Adverb
Strong's 3779:Thus, so, in this manner. Or (referring to what precedes or follows).youὑμεῖς(hymeis)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.also,καὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.whenὅταν(hotan)Conjunction
Strong's 3752:When, whenever. From hote and an; whenever; also causatively inasmuch as.you have doneποιήσητε(poiēsēte)Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4160:(a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.everythingπάντα(panta)Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3956:All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.commandedδιαταχθέντα(diatachthenta)Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 1299:To give orders to, prescribe, arrange. From dia and tasso; to arrange thoroughly, i.e. institute, prescribe, etc.of you,ὑμῖν(hymin)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.should say,λέγετε(legete)Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 3004:(a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.‘We areἐσμεν(esmen)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.unworthyἀχρεῖοί(achreioi)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 888:Unprofitable, useless, unworthy. Useless, i.e. unmeritorious.servants;Δοῦλοι(Douloi)Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1401:(a) (as adj.) enslaved, (b) (as noun) a (male) slave. From deo; a slave.we have only doneπεποιήκαμεν(pepoiēkamen)Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 4160:(a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.our duty.’”ὠφείλομεν(ōpheilomen)Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 3784:Or, its prolonged form opheileo probably from the base of ophelos; to owe; figuratively, to be under obligation; morally, to fail in duty.
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NT Gospels: Luke 17:10 Even so you also when you have (Luke Lu Lk) |
