sign in sign up
<<
Home , Luke 17

of Luke Chapter 17

Summary: gives the parable of the Dishonest Steward (16:1-13) and sayings about the , the Law, and Divorce (16:14-18). The chapter concludes with the parable of the (16:19-31). This section of Luke’s Gospel focuses on various struggles with money.

Parables: Three parables with struggles about money: Prodigal Son where son squanders money (15:11-32), steward mismanages money (16:1-13), and rich man selfish with money (16:19-31).

Temptations to Sin (vv. 1 – 4)

• Disciples: After speaking to the Pharisees, Jesus returns to addressing His disciples. o Four Topics: Scandal, forgiveness, faith, and service • Cause to sin: (Gk: skandalon) meaning a stumbling block, offense (trap laid for an enemy) • Would be better: Better to suffer horrible death than to spend eternity in torment • Millstone: Used for grinding grain or pressing olives; graphic image of a terrible death • Little Ones: Those weak in faith (Rom. 14:1; 1 Cor. 8:9) need good examples • Be on your guard: Or beware! Disciples must not behave as Pharisees have been doing

Jesus’ Teaching Prodigal Son Brother sins Prodigal son squandering property If he repents Prodigal son repented: I will go to my father Forgive him Father forgave; older brother refused to do so

• Seven: Number of perfection in Sacred Scripture; symbolizes no limit to such forgiveness

Saying of Faith (vv. 5 – 6)

• Increase or faith: The Apostles find the teaching on forgiveness very challenging (help us!) o Note: You can have the virtue of faith in degrees (weak, medium, strong, etc.) • Mustard seed: Kingdom of God like a mustard seed (13:19); little faith can be powerful! • Mulberry: Extensive root system; Sea symbolizes Gentiles (future growth among Gentiles)

Attitude of a Servant (vv. 7 – 10)

• Servant: Presented working in the field (older brother); apostles are at the service of Jesus • What commanded: Servants carry out service without complaining or sense of entitlement

Luke 17:7-10 Meaning References Plowing Spreading God’s Kingdom Lk 9:62; 1 Cor. 9:10 Tending sheep as pastors Care for the faithful Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 9:7 Wait on Serving others :26; 1 Cor. 9:19 Eat and drink Offering the Eucharist 1 Cor. 11:25 – 26 Pablo Gadenz, 292

1 The Cleansing of the Lepers (vv. 11 – 19)

• Journey to : Luke reminds readers that Jesus is traveling to Jerusalem o Kingdom of God: Phrase occurs eight times from 17:11 – 18:30 (Gadenz, 293) • /: Jesus travels between two regions; Galilee on left and Samaria on right o Note: Pilgrims went around Samaria, crossed the Jordan, turned south, crossed back • Ten Lepers: Required to remain at a distance according to the Law (Lev. 13:46; Num. 5:2) • Pity: The blind man will make the same plea when Jesus enters Jericho (18:38) • Priests: Lepers were examined to declare that they were ritually clean (Lev. 14:1-20). o Note: Elisha cleansed a Naaman the Syrian, a leper, at a distance (2 Kgs. 5:3, 9-14) • Returned: One leper returns glorifying and thanking (Gk: eucharisteō) o Mass: Communal worship where faithful glorying and thank God (Word/Eucharist) • Save: The Greek sōzō can mean “save” or “heal;” cares for whole person (body and soul) o Key: Gratitude is an expression of your love; it is like helium for the heart

The Coming of the Kingdom of God (vv. 20 – 21)

• When: Pharisees ask when the kingdom will come; disciples ask, “Where?” (Gadenz, 297) • Among you: Jesus is Himself the Kingdom – in Him, divinity and humanity meet

The Day of the Son of Man (vv. 22 – 37)

• Long to see: Disciples long to see Jesus after His death and Ascension into heaven • Lightening: Flashes from one end of the sky to the other; easy to see (light reflects ) • This generation: Recalls unrighteous generation in the days of (Gadenz, 299) o Gen. 7:1: Go into the ark; for you alone in this generation…found to be righteous o Note: Noah and ’s generation is prototype of ungodly generations (Gadenz, 299)

Generation Activities Meaning Noah Eating, drinking, marrying, given in marriage Wiped away by flood Lot Eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, building Wiped away by fire/brimstone

• Key: Must have priorities straight when Son of Man comes (God, family, work, possessions) • Housetop: Biblical homes had flat rooftops for resting, activities and socializing • Wife of Lot: She looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt (Gn. 19:17, 26) • Preserves Life: Those who rely on possessions will lose both own life and possessions • Loses life: Those who conform their lives to Christ (self-emptying) will save it

Scripture Relationship Meaning Two people in one bed Same place Heart, not location, most important Two women grinding meal together Doing same thing Heart, not activity, most important

• Vultures: Scavengers gathering sign of something dead; be attentive to signs of coming o Eagles: Roman legion carried an eagle standard into battle; Jerusalem falling (70 AD)

2