Luke 17:3 Meaning and Explanation
“Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Jesus commands honest correction and ready forgiveness: confront a brother who sins, and when he repents, forgive him.
What Does Luke 17:3 Mean?
Having warned against causing others to stumble, Jesus turns to what disciples do when they are the ones wounded. "Take heed to yourselves" makes it personal: the danger now is not the offender's sin but the offended heart.
Christ allows neither of the easy roads — silent resentment or loud retaliation. Love speaks: "rebuke him," honestly and face to face. And love releases: "if he repent, forgive him." Correction aims at restoration, not victory. This is the household discipline of the kingdom, learned from a Lord who tells us the truth about our sin and then freely pardons it. The goal is always a brother regained.
Luke 17:3 in the Original Language
metanoeo (μετανοέω), 'repent' -- to change the mind and turn the life around.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 17:3
What does Luke 17:3 mean?
Jesus commands honest correction and ready forgiveness: confront a brother who sins, and when he repents, forgive him.