King James Version

What Does Luke 17:7 Mean?

Luke 17:7 in the King James Version says “But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the fiel...” — study this verse from Luke chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?”

Luke 17:7 · King James Version

Context

5

And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.

6

And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

7

But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?

8

And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?

9

Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.

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Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? Jesus begins a parable challenging assumptions about merit and reward. The phrase which of you (τίς ἐξ ὑμῶν, tis ex hymōn) invites hearers to imagine themselves as masters. A servant (δοῦλον, doulon—literally "slave") returns from field work—plowing or feeding cattle (ἀροτριῶντα ἢ ποιμαίνοντα, arotriounta ē poimainonta)—exhausting agricultural labor. The master's expected response is rhetorical: no master would immediately say Go and sit down to meat (παρελθὼν εὐθέως ἀνάπεσε, parelthōn eutheōs anapese—"come right away and recline at table").

The phrase by and by translates εὐθέως (eutheōs, "immediately")—the master won't immediately release the servant to eat. First-century cultural expectations were clear: servants served masters before attending to their own needs. The question establishes common ground before Jesus applies the principle spiritually (vv. 9-10): believers are servants who've done only what was commanded, owing God everything, earning nothing. This confronts self-congratulatory religion that expects divine reward for obedience, as if God were indebted to those who serve Him.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

First-century Palestinian agriculture depended on slave and servant labor. Plowing and shepherding were arduous tasks performed from dawn to dusk. Social hierarchies were rigid—servants existed to serve masters' needs, not vice versa. The cultural expectation that servants would prepare and serve the master's meal before eating themselves was universally understood. Jesus uses this accepted social reality to illustrate spiritual truth about humanity's relationship to God. The parable addressed the disciples (v. 5) but also the Pharisees' merit-based theology—they believed rigorous law-keeping earned divine reward, making God their debtor. Jesus demolishes this presumption: we're servants who owe God perfect obedience; we can never put Him in our debt.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does viewing yourself as God's servant (not employee or contractor) change your expectations about spiritual rewards?
  2. In what ways does contemporary Christianity sometimes operate with a merit-based mindset that expects God to 'pay back' our service?
  3. What does it mean practically to serve God without expecting immediate recognition or reward?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 18 words
Τίς1 of 18

“which”

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

δὲ2 of 18

“But”

G1161

but, and, etc

ἐκ3 of 18

“from”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

ὑμῶν4 of 18

“you”

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

δοῦλον5 of 18

“a servant”

G1401

a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)

ἔχων6 of 18

“having”

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

ἀροτριῶντα7 of 18

“plowing”

G722

to plow

ἢ8 of 18

“or”

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

ποιμαίνοντα9 of 18

“feeding cattle”

G4165

to tend as a shepherd of (figuratively, superviser)

ὃς10 of 18

“unto him”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

εἰσελθόντι11 of 18

“when he is come”

G1525

to enter (literally or figuratively)

ἐκ12 of 18

“from”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τοῦ13 of 18
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀγροῦ14 of 18

“the field”

G68

a field (as a drive for cattle); genitive case, the country; specially, a farm, i.e., hamlet

ἐρεῖ15 of 18

“will say”

G2046

an alternate for g2036 in certain tenses; to utter, i.e., speak or say

Εὐθέως16 of 18

“by and by”

G2112

directly, i.e., at once or soon

παρελθὼν17 of 18

“Go”

G3928

to come near or aside, i.e., to approach (arrive), go by (or away), (figuratively) perish or neglect, (causative) avert

ἀνάπεσαι·18 of 18

“and sit down to meat”

G377

to fall back, i.e., lie down, lean back

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 17:7 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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