Luke 17:4
What does Luke 17:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 17:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 17:4 means
Jesus raises the bar of mercy to surprising heights: even if someone sins against you repeatedly within a single day, yet keeps returning in repentance, you are to forgive. He is not commending hypocrisy; He envisions genuine repentance that needs repeated pardon as a struggler stumbles forward. This reflects the Father’s abundant mercy. Forgiveness is not naïveté about sin, but a determined choice to release the debt when repentance is present. Such generosity does not erase consequences or wisdom, but it refuses to harden the heart. The command exposes our insufficiency and pushes us toward God, who alone can supply the love needed for persistent, costly grace.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And if he sin against thee seven times in the day, and seven times turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And if he sin against thee seven times in the day, and seven times turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And if he does you wrong seven times in a day, and seven times comes to you and says, I have regret for what I have done; let him have forgiveness.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and if seven times in the day he may sin against thee, and seven times in the day may turn back to thee, saying, I reform; thou shalt forgive him.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And if he sin against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day be converted unto thee, saying: I repent: forgive him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And if he should sin against thee seven times in the day, and seven times should return to thee, saying, I repent, thou shalt forgive him.
Context
Having taught the process of rebuke and forgiveness (verse 3), Jesus now magnifies the extent of forgiveness required. The sheer difficulty of this command helps explain why, in the very next verse, the apostles ask for an increase of faith (verse 5). The chapter’s movement is intentional: grave warnings (verses 1–2), practical restoration (verse 3), astonishing mercy (verse 4), and then a turn to the inner resource—faith—by which disciples may live this way (verses 5–6). Soon after, Jesus will also insist on humility in service (verses 7–10), lest obedience produce pride.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 18:35
So shall also my heavenly Father do unto you, if ye forgive not every one his brother from your hearts.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:13
But ye, brethren, be not weary in well-doing.
- 1 Corinthians 13:4
Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
- Matthew 6:12
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
- Matthew 6:14
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
- 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?
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