The apostles said to the LordThe term "apostles" refers to the twelve disciples chosen by Jesus to be His closest followers and messengers. In the context of
Luke 17, Jesus had been teaching about forgiveness and the challenges of living a life of faith. The apostles, recognizing their own limitations and the demands of discipleship, turn to Jesus, acknowledging Him as "the Lord," a title that signifies His authority and divinity. This moment reflects their dependence on Jesus for spiritual growth and guidance.
Increase our faith!
This request highlights the apostles' awareness of their need for greater faith to meet the challenges Jesus presented, such as forgiving others repeatedly. Faith, in this context, is not just belief but trust and reliance on God. The apostles' plea is a recognition that faith is a gift from God, not something they can muster on their own. This request is echoed in other parts of Scripture, such asMark 9:24, where a father asks Jesus to help his unbelief. The desire for increased faith is a common theme throughout the Bible, emphasizing the need for divine assistance in spiritual growth.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
The ApostlesThe close followers of Jesus Christ, who were chosen to learn from Him and spread His teachings. In this passage, they are seeking to deepen their faith.
2.
The Lord (Jesus Christ)The central figure of the New Testament, who is addressed by the apostles in their request for increased faith.
3.
The Context of TeachingThis request comes after Jesus teaches about forgiveness and the challenges of living a life of faith, prompting the apostles to seek greater faith to meet these challenges.
Teaching Points
The Nature of FaithFaith is not static; it can grow and increase. The apostles' request shows that even those closest to Jesus recognized their need for greater faith.
The Source of FaithFaith is a gift from God. The apostles turn to Jesus, acknowledging that He is the source of their faith and the one who can increase it.
The Role of HumilityAsking for increased faith requires humility, recognizing one's own limitations and dependence on God.
Faith in ActionTrue faith is demonstrated through action, such as forgiveness and obedience to God's commands, as seen in the surrounding context of Jesus' teachings.
Prayer for FaithLike the apostles, believers today should regularly pray for an increase in faith, trusting that God will provide what is needed to live out His will.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Luke 17:5?
2.How can we increase our faith as the apostles requested in Luke 17:5?
3.What does "increase our faith" mean in the context of Luke 17:5?
4.How does Luke 17:5 connect with Hebrews 11:1 on faith's definition?
5.What practical steps can strengthen our faith in daily life?
6.How can we apply the apostles' humility in asking for more faith?
7.What does "Increase our faith" in Luke 17:5 reveal about the apostles' understanding of faith?
8.How does Luke 17:5 challenge the notion of faith as a static attribute?
9.Why did the apostles specifically ask Jesus to increase their faith in Luke 17:5?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Luke 17?
11.What do Chreasters believe and who are they?
12.How do I serve God?
13.Is interfaith dialogue supported by biblical teachings?
14.What does the Bible say about critical thinking?What Does Luke 17:5 Mean
The apostles• Luke identifies those speaking as “the apostles.” This is the inner circle of twelve men Jesus personally chose (Luke 6:13).
• Their title reminds us they had already witnessed miracles (Luke 9:1–6) and received direct teaching, yet they still sensed a need for greater faith.
• Their humility echoes other servants of God who recognized their insufficiency—think of Moses (Exodus 3:11–12) and Isaiah (Isaiah 6:5–8).
• Even mature believers are called to continual growth (2 Peter 1:5–8), so the apostles’ request encourages us to keep pressing forward.
said• The verb shows deliberate action. They did not merely think or wish; they voiced their need.
• Scripture consistently invites God’s people to verbalize dependence (Psalm 62:8;Philippians 4:6).
• Speaking up is an act of faith in itself—acknowledging God hears and answers (1 John 5:14–15).
to the Lord• They directed their plea “to the Lord,” recognizing Jesus’ divine authority (Matthew 28:18).
• The title “Lord” underscores His sovereignty over both physical and spiritual realms (Luke 8:24–25).
• Faith grows by drawing near to Christ, not by self-effort alone (John 15:4–5;Hebrews 12:2).
“Increase• The Greek verb (though we’re not doing lexical work) conveys adding or multiplying. They wanted more than a slight improvement.
• Faith can indeed be enlarged (2 Corinthians 10:15). Jesus affirms this in the next verse with the mustard seed illustration (Luke 17:6).
• God delights to supply what He commands (Mark 9:24;James 1:5).
our faith!”• Their concern is collective—“our” faith. Growth is a community pursuit (Hebrews 10:24–25).
• They weren’t asking for material gain but for the spiritual capacity to obey. The immediate context is Jesus’ hard teaching on forgiveness (Luke 17:3–4).
• True faith trusts God for the impossible, including forgiving repeatedly (Ephesians 4:32;Colossians 3:13).
summaryLuke 17:5 shows the apostles recognizing that the radical life Jesus describes—marked by relentless forgiveness and humble service—demands more faith than they currently possess. They openly ask their Lord, the only true source of faith, to multiply it within them. Their plea models humble dependence, communal concern, and confidence that Christ both commands and supplies the faith needed for obedient living.
(5)
The apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.--The form in which the fragment that thus commences is brought before us suggests, as has been stated before (see Notes on
Luke 7:13;
Luke 10:1), that it was a comparatively late addition to the collection of "the words of the Lord Jesus" (
Acts 20:35), and this is confirmed by the exceptional use of "the Apostles" for "the disciples." It may have stood originally in an absolutely isolated form. On the other hand, its position here indicates a sufficiently traceable sequence. That command of a seven-fold--
i.e., an unlimited--forgiveness seemed to make almost too great a strain on their faith. Did it not imply an almost miraculous victory over natural impulses, that could be wrought only by a supernatural grace? Was not the faith that could "remove mountains" wanted, if ever, here--a faith in the pardoning love of the Father, and in their own power to reproduce it? And so, conscious of their weakness, they came with the prayer that has so often come from the lips of yearning, yet weak, disciples of the Christ--reminding us of him who cried, "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief" (see Note on
Mark 9:24)--"Increase our faith." May we not possibly think of Peter as having struggled to obey the rule which had been given to them before (
Matthew 18:22), and as having found himself unequal to the task?
Verse 5. -
And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. The disciples, moved by the severe and cutting rebuke of their Master - a rebuke they probably felt their
harsh, self-congratulatory state of mind had well merited-come to him and ask him to give them such an increased measure of faith as would enable them to play better the difficult and responsible part he had assigned them. They evidently felt their weakness deeply, but a stronger faith would supply them with new strength; they would thus be guided to form a wiser, gentler judgment of others, a more severe opinion too of themselves.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Theοἱ(hoi)Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.apostlesἀπόστολοι(apostoloi)Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 652:From apostello; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ.saidεἶπαν(eipan)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2036:Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.to theτῷ(tō)Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.Lord,Κυρίῳ(Kyriō)Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962:Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.“IncreaseΠρόσθες(Prosthes)Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4369:To place (put) to, add; I do again. From pros and tithemi; to place additionally, i.e. Lay beside, annex, repeat.ourἡμῖν(hēmin)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.faith!”πίστιν(pistin)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4102:Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness.
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NT Gospels: Luke 17:5 The apostles said to the Lord Increase (Luke Lu Lk) 
