Luke 17:8 Meaning and Explanation
“And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The master instead says: prepare my supper, dress yourself to serve, and eat your own meal afterward.
What Does Luke 17:8 Mean?
Jesus continues the parable. The order of the household ran master first, servant after. To "gird thyself" meant tucking the long robe into the belt, ready for table service — the servant waits on his master before taking his own bread.
The detail is pointed, because elsewhere Jesus reverses it: He is among His own "as he that serveth" (Luke 22:27), and He promises one day to gird Himself and serve His watching servants (Luke 12:37). The parable states what masters may rightly expect; the gospel reveals a Master who wondrously stoops beneath His rights. But the lesson here comes first: the servant's place is to serve, fully and to the end.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 17:8
What does Luke 17:8 mean?
The master instead says: prepare my supper, dress yourself to serve, and eat your own meal afterward.