Luke 17:7 – “Suppose one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Will he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’?”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
In this verse, Jesus begins a parable to teach His disciples about humility and the proper attitude of a servant. The situation Jesus presents would have been familiar to His listeners: a servant works hard all day, tending the fields or caring for animals, but the work doesn’t end when they return home. The master doesn’t invite the servant to rest or be served—instead, the servant continues fulfilling their responsibilities by preparing the master’s meal.
The point Jesus is driving at is that servants are expected to do their duties without expecting special rewards or praise. Similarly, believers who follow God’s commands shouldn’t expect extra recognition or rewards just for doing what they’re supposed to do. Instead, obedience to God is simply part of our role as His people. This teaching encourages humility, reminding believers that serving God is a privilege, not something that earns them status or special treatment.
Historical Context
In the ancient world, slavery and servitude were common, and Jesus often used examples from daily life to help people understand spiritual truths. A servant, or bondservant, was someone who worked under the authority of a master, often for long hours and with little personal recognition. Masters had complete control over their servants’ tasks, and it was understood that servants would do their work without expecting rewards beyond their basic provisions.
This parable would have been easily understood by Jesus’ audience because they were familiar with the relationship between masters and servants. By using this example, Jesus is reinforcing a mindset that was already culturally understood but applying it to the spiritual life of His disciples.
Theological Implications
This verse challenges any notion of entitlement in the Christian life. It teaches that believers are not to serve God with the expectation of rewards or recognition. Instead, they are to serve out of love, gratitude, and obedience. God is our Creator and Master, and we are His servants. Everything we do for Him is simply fulfilling our duty as His followers.
This teaching also addresses the issue of pride. Human nature often seeks recognition and approval for doing good things, but Jesus calls His followers to a deeper humility. Theologically, this reflects the idea that salvation is by grace, not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Our good works don’t earn us favor with God—they are the natural response to the grace we’ve already received.
Literary Analysis
This verse introduces a short parable that continues through Luke 17:10. Jesus uses rhetorical questions to guide His listeners toward understanding the lesson. The question, “Will he say to the servant…?” is meant to be answered with a clear “no.” The parable is structured to show a logical progression: the servant works in the field, returns to the house, and continues serving without expecting rest or praise.
The use of familiar imagery—plowing fields and caring for sheep—helps ground the lesson in everyday life, making it relatable and easy to understand. The parable is short but powerful, leaving the listener to reflect on its implications for their relationship with God.
Relevant Biblical Cross-References
- Luke 12:37 – “It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.”
- Matthew 20:26-28 – “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
- Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
- Colossians 3:23-24 – “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For modern believers, this verse is a call to humility and faithful service. It reminds us that serving God is not about earning His favor or gaining recognition. Instead, we are to serve with a heart of gratitude, knowing that we are doing what is expected of us as followers of Christ. Whether it’s serving in ministry, helping others, or living out our faith in everyday life, we do these things because we belong to God.
This teaching also encourages believers to avoid comparing themselves to others or seeking applause for their good deeds. God sees and knows our service, and that is enough. Instead of seeking earthly rewards, believers can rest in the knowledge that their reward is ultimately found in their relationship with God.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
Although this verse emphasizes duty and humility, it also points to God’s love. God’s commands are not burdensome (1 John 5:3); they are for our good and for the good of His kingdom. Serving God is not about working to earn His love—it’s about responding to the love He has already shown us.
God’s love is also evident in the fact that, although He is the Master and we are His servants, He doesn’t treat us harshly. In fact, Jesus promises that those who faithfully serve will one day share in His joy (Matthew 25:21). God is a loving and gracious Master who rewards His children, not because they’ve earned it, but because of His grace.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus Himself is the ultimate example of a servant. Though He is the Son of God, He humbled Himself and took on the role of a servant to fulfill God’s will (Philippians 2:5-8). He washed His disciples’ feet (John 13:14-15) and gave His life as a ransom for sinners (Mark 10:45). Jesus didn’t seek recognition or honor during His earthly ministry—instead, He faithfully obeyed His Father and completed the work He was sent to do.
By following Jesus’ example, believers learn what it means to serve without expecting anything in return. Just as Jesus served humbly and sacrificially, we are called to serve God and others with the same attitude of humility.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Do you ever find yourself serving God or others with the expectation of recognition or rewards? How can you shift your focus to serving with humility?
- How does this verse challenge your understanding of what it means to follow Christ?
- Are there areas of your life where you need to adopt a servant’s heart instead of seeking personal gain?
- How does reflecting on Jesus’ example of service help you stay motivated to serve, even when it’s hard or unnoticed?
- In what ways can you remind yourself that serving God is a privilege, not a burden?
This verse invites believers to embrace the mindset of a humble servant, trusting that God values their obedience even when it goes unnoticed by others. Through faithful service, they reflect the character of Christ and bring glory to God.