Luke 17:10
What does Luke 17:10 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 17:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 17:10 means
Jesus concludes: even after doing all commanded, disciples should reckon themselves “unprofitable servants,” having only done their duty. He is not denying the Father’s pleasure in His children but stripping away any claim of merit. Our obedience never puts God in our debt; we always remain recipients of mercy. This fosters a grateful, lowly spirit that serves without demanding recognition. Such humility also keeps the community healthy, as no one exalts himself over another. Pointing forward, Jesus Himself will embody this mindset perfectly, serving unto suffering and death for sinners, not to be served but to serve—securing by grace what no servant could ever earn.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Even so ye also, when ye shall have done all the things that are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants; we have done that which it was our duty to do.
KJV
King James Version · 1611So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Even so ye also, when ye shall have done all the things that are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants; we have done that which it was our duty to do.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949In the same way, when you have done all the things which are given you to do, say, There is no profit in us, for we have only done what we were ordered to do.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`So also ye, when ye may have done all the things directed you, say--We are unprofitable servants, because that which we owed to do--we have done.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752I think not. So you also, when you shall have done all these things that are commanded you, say: We are unprofitable servants; we have done that which we ought to do.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Thus ye also, when ye shall have done all things that have been ordered you, say, We are unprofitable bondmen; we have done what it was our duty to do.
Context
This application caps the servant parable (verses 7–9) and completes the early section on faith and humility. It provides a heart posture for the story that follows, where gratitude—or lack of it—becomes central (verses 12–19). From here, Luke shifts from didactic teaching to a miracle narrative along Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem (verse 11). The progression shows discipleship in motion: instructions about living faithfully are immediately paired with an example of Jesus’ compassionate power and a call to respond rightly to God’s mercy.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Job 35:6
If thou hast sinned, what effectest thou against him? And if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him?
- Job 22:2
Can a man be profitable unto God? Surely he that is wise is profitable unto himself.
- Matthew 25:30
And cast ye out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.
- Philippians 3:8
Yea verily, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse, that I may gain Christ,
- Psalms 16:2
O my soul, thou hast said unto Jehovah, Thou art my Lord: I have no good beyond thee.
- Matthew 25:37
Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, and fed thee? or athirst, and gave thee drink?
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