New International VersionEven if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”
New Living TranslationEven if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.”
English Standard Versionand if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”
Berean Standard BibleEven if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”
Berean Literal BibleAnd if he should sin against you seven times in the day, and seven times should return to you, saying 'I repent,' you shall forgive him."
King James BibleAnd if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
New King James VersionAnd if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”
New American Standard BibleAnd if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”
NASB 1995“And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.”
NASB 1977“And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.”
Legacy Standard BibleAnd if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.”
Amplified BibleEven if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times and says, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him [that is, give up resentment and consider the offense recalled and annulled].”
Christian Standard BibleAnd if he sins against you seven times in a day, and comes back to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”
Holman Christian Standard BibleAnd if he sins against you seven times in a day, and comes back to you seven times, saying, I repent,’ you must forgive him.”
American Standard VersionAnd if he sin against thee seven times in the day, and seven times turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
Contemporary English VersionEven if one of them mistreats you seven times in one day and says, "I am sorry," you should still forgive that person.
English Revised VersionAnd if he sin against thee seven times in the day, and seven times turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationEven if he wrongs you seven times in one day and comes back to you seven times and says that he is sorry, forgive him."
Good News TranslationIf he sins against you seven times in one day, and each time he comes to you saying, 'I repent,' you must forgive him."
International Standard VersionEven if he sins against you seven times in a day and comes back to you seven times and says, 'I repent,' you must forgive him."
NET BibleEven if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to you saying, 'I repent,' you must forgive him."
New Heart English BibleAnd if he sins against you seven times in the day, and seven times returns to you, saying, 'I repent,' you must forgive him."
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd if he shall trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day shall turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
Weymouth New Testamentand if seven times in a day he acts wrongly towards you, and seven times turns again to you and says, 'I am sorry,' you must forgive him." Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleEven if he sins against you seven times in a day, and returns seven times in that day to say, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”
World English BibleIf he sins against you seven times in the day, and seven times returns, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand if seven times in the day he may sin against you, and seven times in the day may return to you, saying, I change my mind, you will forgive him.”
Berean Literal BibleAnd if he should sin against you seven times in the day, and seven times should return to you, saying 'I repent,' you shall forgive him."
Young's Literal Translation and if seven times in the day he may sin against thee, and seven times in the day may turn back to thee, saying, I reform; thou shalt forgive him.'
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd if seven times in a day he sin against thee, and seven times in a day turn back to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt let him go. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd if he sin against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day be converted unto thee, saying, I repent; forgive him.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd if he has sinned against you seven times a day, and seven times a day has turned back to you, saying, ‘I am sorry,’ then forgive him.”
New American BibleAnd if he wrongs you seven times in one day and returns to you seven times saying, ‘I am sorry,’ you should forgive him.”
New Revised Standard VersionAnd if the same person sins against you seven times a day, and turns back to you seven times and says, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd if he should offend you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn to you and say, I repent; forgive him.
Aramaic Bible in Plain English“And if he sins against you seven times in a day and seven times in the day returns to you and says, 'I am sorry', forgive him.” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd if he sin against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to you and say, I repent, you shall forgive him.
Godbey New Testament
But if he may sin against thee seven times a day, and seven times turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
Haweis New Testament
And if seven times in the day he sin against thee, and seven times in the day return to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
Mace New Testament
tho' he should offend you seven times in a day, and seven times in the day return to you, saying, I repent, you must forgive him.
Weymouth New Testament
and if seven times in a day he acts wrongly towards you, and seven times turns again to you and says, 'I am sorry,' you must forgive him."
Worrell New Testament
And, if he sins against you seven times in the day, and seven times turns to you, saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive him."
Worsley New Testament
And if he trespass against thee seven times a day, and seven timesin a day return to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Temptations and Trespasses… 3Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4Evenifhe sinsagainstyouseven timesin aday,andseven timesreturnsto say,‘I repent,’you must forgivehim.”5The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”…
Cross References Matthew 18:21-22Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?” / Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!
Ephesians 4:32Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.
Colossians 3:13Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Mark 11:25And when you stand to pray, if you hold anything against another, forgive it, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your trespasses as well.”
Matthew 6:14-15For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. / But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.
1 John 1:9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Proverbs 24:16For though a righteous man may fall seven times, he still gets up; but the wicked stumble in bad times.
James 5:16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.
2 Corinthians 2:10If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And if I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven it in the presence of Christ for your sake,
Matthew 5:23-24So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, / leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
Genesis 50:17‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I beg you, please forgive the transgression and sin of your brothers, for they did you wrong.’ So now, Joseph, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.
Psalm 103:12As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Isaiah 55:7Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.
Micah 7:18-19Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance—who does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion? / He will again have compassion on us; He will vanquish our iniquities. You will cast out all our sins into the depths of the sea.
Nehemiah 9:17They refused to listen and failed to remember the wonders You performed among them. They stiffened their necks and appointed a leader to return them to their bondage in Egypt. But You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in loving devotion, and You did not forsake them.
Treasury of Scripture And if he trespass against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to you, saying, I repent; you shall forgive him. if. Matthew 18:21,22,35 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? … 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Charity suffereth long,and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, … Ephesians 4:31,32 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: … I repent. Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; Matthew 6:12,14,15 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors… Matthew 18:16 But if he will not hearthee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. Jump to Previous ActsForgiveForgivenessReformRegretRepentReturnsSevenSinSinsSorryTimesTowardsTrespassTurnTurnsWrongWronglyJump to Next ActsForgiveForgivenessReformRegretRepentReturnsSevenSinSinsSorryTimesTowardsTrespassTurnTurnsWrongWronglyLuke 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.Even if he sins against you seven times in a day,This phrase emphasizes the frequency and persistence of sin, reflecting the human tendency to repeatedly fall short. The number seven in biblical terms often symbolizes completeness or perfection, suggesting that forgiveness should be extended fully and without limit. This teaching aligns with the broader biblical theme of grace and mercy, as seen in Matthew 18:21-22, where Jesus tells Peter to forgive "seventy times seven" times. The cultural context of the time placed a high value on justice and retribution, making this call to repeated forgiveness radical and countercultural. and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’
Repentance is a key theme in the Bible, involving a sincere turning away from sin and a commitment to change. The act of returning to say "I repent" indicates a recognition of wrongdoing and a desire for reconciliation. In the Jewish tradition, repentance (teshuva) is a crucial aspect of one's relationship with God, especially during the High Holy Days. This phrase underscores the importance of genuine repentance as a prerequisite for forgiveness, echoing the call for repentance found in the preaching of John the Baptist and Jesus Himself (Matthew 3:2,Mark 1:15). you must forgive him.”
The command to forgive is central to Christian teaching, reflecting the forgiveness that believers receive from God through Christ. This imperative is not conditional on the offender's worthiness but is an expression of grace. Forgiveness is a recurring theme in Jesus' teachings, such as in the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:12) and the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:23-35). Theologically, this reflects the New Covenant promise of forgiveness of sins through Jesus' sacrificial death and resurrection, as prophesied inJeremiah 31:34. The call to forgive mirrors the character of God, who is described as "compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love" (Psalm 103:8). Persons / Places / Events 1. Jesus ChristThe speaker of this passage, providing teaching to His disciples on forgiveness. 2. DisciplesThe immediate audience of Jesus' teaching, representing all followers of Christ who are called to live out His teachings. 3. The OffenderA hypothetical person who sins repeatedly but seeks forgiveness, illustrating the need for continual forgiveness. 4. The Act of RepentanceThe offender's acknowledgment of wrongdoing and request for forgiveness, a key element in the process of reconciliation. 5. ForgivenessThe central theme of the passage, highlighting the Christian duty to forgive as an expression of God's grace. Teaching Points The Call to ForgiveAs followers of Christ, we are called to forgive others repeatedly, reflecting the boundless forgiveness we receive from God. The Role of RepentanceGenuine repentance is crucial in the process of forgiveness. It involves acknowledging wrongdoing and a commitment to change. The Challenge of ForgivenessForgiving someone multiple times in a day can be challenging, but it is a testament to our faith and obedience to Christ's teachings. Reflecting God's GraceOur willingness to forgive mirrors the grace and mercy God extends to us, serving as a powerful witness to others. Forgiveness as FreedomHolding onto grudges can imprison us in bitterness, but forgiveness liberates us and restores relationships. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Luke 17:4?
2.How does Luke 17:4 guide us in practicing forgiveness in daily life?
3.What does "seven times in a day" teach about the nature of forgiveness?
4.How can we apply Luke 17:4 when someone repeatedly wrongs us?
5.What other scriptures emphasize the importance of forgiveness in relationships?
6.How does forgiving others reflect our understanding of God's forgiveness toward us?
7.How does Luke 17:4 challenge the concept of forgiveness in modern society?
8.Why does Jesus emphasize repeated forgiveness in Luke 17:4?
9.What historical context influenced the message of Luke 17:4?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Luke 17?
11.What lessons does the Prodigal Son teach about forgiveness?
12.How should you address someone who has wronged you?
13.How do you fulfill your responsibilities to others?
14.How should you address someone who has wronged you?What Does Luke 17:4 Mean Even if he sins against you– The Lord acknowledges that real offenses happen. He does not minimize sin; He names it. – Personal injury can be painful, yet Jesus addresses the injured party first (cf.Matthew 18:15, “If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately”). – The command comes after verse 3, “If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.” Confrontation and forgiveness are held together, keeping truth and love in balance (Galatians 6:1). – By recognizing the hurt, Scripture validates the victim’s experience while still calling for obedience.
seven times in a day– “Seven” evokes fullness or completeness, but here it is literal: up to seven distinct offenses within a single day. – Jesus pushes beyond what feels reasonable. The same person may wound you repeatedly before the sun sets—an exhausting scenario. –Matthew 18:21-22 expands the thought: Peter asks if forgiving “up to seven times” is enough; Jesus answers, “not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” The lesson: God’s standard outstrips our natural limits. –Proverbs 24:16 notes, “For though a righteous man may fall seven times, he still gets up.” If the righteous can stumble repeatedly, the righteous must also forgive repeatedly.
and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’– Repentance is expressed verbally: “I repent.” The offender acknowledges wrong and turns back. – Genuine repentance is more than words, yet Jesus commands us to receive the words at face value. We are not appointed judges of hidden motives (Romans 14:4). –Acts 2:38, “Repent and be baptized… for the forgiveness of your sins,” shows how God Himself links confessed repentance with immediate grace. –1 John 1:9 promises, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.” The disciple’s response to a repentant brother must mirror God’s response to us.
you must forgive him.– The command is direct and unqualified. Forgiveness is not optional or delayed. – Forgiveness here means releasing the debt, refusing to seek revenge, and restoring fellowship as far as it depends on you. –Matthew 6:14-15 ties our forgiveness of others to God’s forgiveness of us: “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” –Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you,” shows that we forgive from the overflow of our own pardon. –Colossians 3:13 adds, “Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” The benchmark is God’s grace toward us in Christ.
summaryLuke 17:4 demands a lifestyle of ready, repeated forgiveness that mirrors the Lord’s boundless grace toward us. No matter how frequent the offense, if repentance is expressed, we are obligated to extend pardon immediately, reflecting the faithful, literal truth of God’s Word and the character of our forgiving Savior. (4) If he trespass against thee.--Better, if he sin. The better MSS. omit the words, "against thee," and so make the command more general, and the verb is the same as that in Matthew 18:21, the teaching of which is here manifestly reproduced. The outward form seems at first to present a somewhat lower standard of forgiveness, "seven times," instead of "seventy times seven." Here, however, it should be remembered that we have "seven times a day," and the meaning is obviously the same in both passages. No accumulation of offences, however often repeated, is to be allowed to bring us to the hardness which refuses to forgive when the offender says that he repents and asks forgiveness.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek Evenκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.ifἐὰν(ean)Conjunction
Strong's 1437:If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.he sinsἁμαρτήσῃ(hamartēsē)Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 264:Perhaps from a and the base of meros; properly, to miss the mark, i.e. to err, especially to sin.againstεἰς(eis)Preposition
Strong's 1519:A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.youσὲ(se)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.seven timesἑπτάκις(heptakis)Adverb
Strong's 2034:Seven times. Adverb from hepta; seven times.in aτῆς(tēs)Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.day,ἡμέρας(hēmeras)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2250:A day, the period from sunrise to sunset.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.seven timesἑπτάκις(heptakis)Adverb
Strong's 2034:Seven times. Adverb from hepta; seven times.returnsἐπιστρέψῃ(epistrepsē)Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1994:From epi and strepho; to revert.to say,λέγων(legōn)Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3004:(a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.‘I repent,’Μετανοῶ(Metanoō)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3340:From meta and noieo; to think differently or afterwards, i.e. Reconsider.you must forgiveἀφήσεις(aphēseis)Verb - Future Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 863:From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications.him.”αὐτῷ(autō)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.
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NT Gospels: Luke 17:4 If he sins against you seven times (Luke Lu Lk) |
