Luke 17:10 Meaning and Explanation
“So 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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Even after full obedience, disciples are to say of themselves: we are unprofitable servants; we have only done our duty.
What Does Luke 17:10 Mean?
Jesus draws the conclusion and applies it directly: "so likewise ye." The sentence is one He gives His disciples to say of themselves — a confession of humility from the heart, not a verdict of contempt that God pronounces over them.
"Unprofitable" does not mean worthless; it means holding no claim — God is never our debtor. The servant who has done all still stands within mercy, not above it. This guards against the oldest religious poison: the quiet feeling that God now owes us. And the wonder of the gospel is that the Master who owes His servants nothing delights to reward them anyway, and calls His faithful servants friends.
Luke 17:10 in the Original Language
achreios (ἀχρεῖος), 'unprofitable' -- holding no claim; owed nothing beyond duty.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 17:10
What does Luke 17:10 mean?
Even after full obedience, disciples are to say of themselves: we are unprofitable servants; we have only done our duty.