New Testament
Luke 17:7
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
In this verse, Jesus uses a common scenario to illustrate a point about servanthood and expectations.
- Author
- Luke the physician
- Written
- Around AD 60-62
- Genre
- Gospel and history
- Original Audience
- Gentile Christians (addressed to Theophilus)
Suppose one of you has a servant who's been out plowing or tending sheep. When he comes in from the field, would you say, 'Come sit down right away and eat'?
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?
Verse Analysis
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Jesus uses a common scenario to illustrate a point about servanthood and expectations. He asks if a master would immediately invite a servant, who has been working hard in the fields, to sit down and eat. The implied answer is no; the master would expect the servant to continue working. This reflects the cultural norms of the time, where servants had specific roles and responsibilities. Jesus is teaching that service and duty come before personal comfort. The underlying message is about humility and the nature of service, emphasizing that those who serve should not expect immediate rewards or recognition for their hard work. Instead, they should focus on fulfilling their responsibilities faithfully, as true servanthood is about dedication and commitment rather than seeking praise or rest.
Related Bible verses
How to apply Luke 17:7 to your life
This verse encourages us to embrace our responsibilities without seeking immediate recognition or reward. In our daily lives, we should focus on serving others and fulfilling our duties with dedication, understanding that true fulfillment comes from commitment rather than accolades.
Curated for this public verse page. Luke Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Luke 17:7 mean?
Luke 17:7 uses the example of a master and servant to illustrate the expectation of servanthood. It suggests that a servant should not expect immediate rewards or recognition after completing their work, highlighting the importance of duty and humility.
What is the meaning of servanthood in Luke 17:7?
In Luke 17:7, servanthood refers to the role of fulfilling responsibilities without seeking immediate acknowledgment. The verse emphasizes that true service is about commitment and dedication rather than expecting praise or comfort.
How does Luke 17:7 relate to humility?
Luke 17:7 relates to humility by showing that a servant's role is to work diligently without seeking recognition. It emphasizes that true humility involves fulfilling one's responsibilities selflessly.
What can we learn from Luke 17:7?
From Luke 17:7, we learn the value of dedication in our responsibilities. It encourages us to serve others faithfully and to understand that fulfillment comes from commitment rather than seeking immediate rewards.

The Book of Luke
Luke 1: The Births of John the Baptist and Jesus Foretold
In the days of Herod, king of Judaea, a priest named Zacharias serves in the temple. He and his wife Elisabeth are both righteous but have no children because Elisabeth is barren, and they are both old. While Zacharias burns incense, the angel Gabriel appears to him and says Elisabeth will bear a son who is to be named John. The child will be great before the Lord, will drink no wine or strong drink, and will be filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb. He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. Zacharias asks how he can know this, since he and his wife are old. Gabriel says Zacharias will be unable to speak until these things come to pass because he did not believe.
Unlock the full Luke summary
Continue reading every chapter — themes, structure, and turning points.
The complete summary of Luke — a chapter-by-chapter breakdown covering all 24 chapters.
What you get
Every chapter of Luke summarized in clear, modern English
How each section connects — narrative flow, key themes, and turning points
Permanent access — read anytime, on any device
Best value • Save over 90%
One-time purchase • Access anytime
ClearBible summaries are proprietary content and may not be copied, republished, or resold.
Checkout works as a guest. After payment, you create an account to claim your unlock.