Luke 17:3
What does Luke 17:3 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 17:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 17:3 means
Jesus calls His followers to watch themselves, because spiritual care begins with humility and self-suspicion. When a brother sins, love does not ignore it; it speaks truthfully and seeks restoration through a firm but caring rebuke. If the offender repents, forgiveness must be extended. The goal is not winning an argument but regaining a brother. This verse balances moral clarity with gospel mercy. Correction without a forgiving posture breeds bitterness; forgiveness without honest confrontation enables harm. Jesus forms a community where sin is taken seriously, repentance is welcomed, and reconciliation is pursued as a normal rhythm of life together.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Take heed to yourselves: if thy brother sin, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Take heed to yourselves: if thy brother sin, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Give attention to yourselves: if your brother does wrong, say a sharp word to him; and if he has sorrow for his sin, let him have forgiveness.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Take heed to yourselves, and, if thy brother may sin in regard to thee, rebuke him, and if he may reform, forgive him,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Take heed to yourselves. If thy brother sin against thee, reprove him: and if he do penance, forgive him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Take heed to yourselves: if thy brother should sin, rebuke him; and if he should repent, forgive him.
Context
This instruction follows the heavy warning about causing others to stumble (verses 1–2) and begins the practical path for preserving holiness and unity. It anticipates the difficulty of holding both truth and grace, which leads into the next verse’s startling demand for repeated forgiveness (verse 4). The growing weight of these commands explains the apostles’ plea for increased faith (verse 5). The flow shows Jesus’ wisdom: He first sets the moral stakes, then prescribes a way of restoration, and finally points to the heart resources that make such obedience possible.
v.2It were well for him if a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, rather than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble.
v.3This passage
v.4And if he sin against thee seven times in the day, and seven times turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- James 5:19
My brethren, if any among you err from the truth, and one convert him;
- 2 Chronicles 19:6
and said to the judges, Consider what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for Jehovah; and he is with you in the judgment.
- Matthew 18:21
Then came Peter and said to him, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? until seven times?
- Exodus 34:12
Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee:
- Matthew 18:15
And if thy brother sin against thee, go, show him his fault between thee and him alone: if he hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
- Proverbs 27:5
Better is open rebuke Than love that is hidden.
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