Luke 17:4 Meaning and Explanation
“And 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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Even seven offenses in a single day, each followed by a return and the words "I repent," must be met with forgiveness every time.
What Does Luke 17:4 Mean?
Jesus pushes the command past the limits of natural patience. Seven failures in one day strain belief in the repentance itself — by the fourth or fifth, "I repent" begins to sound hollow. That strain is exactly what Jesus intends His disciples to feel.
Forgiveness in the kingdom is not a ration that runs out; it is a fountain fed by God's own mercy toward us. The disciple is not made auditor of a returning brother's sincerity; he is told to open the door. This is how God treats us — repeated falls met by repeated grace — and those who live under such mercy are called to hand it on.
Luke 17:4 in the Original Language
aphiemi (ἀφίημι), 'forgive' -- to release, to let a debt go.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 17:4
What does Luke 17:4 mean?
Even seven offenses in a single day, each followed by a return and the words "I repent," must be met with forgiveness every time.