Bible Study Companion–Luke 17

Luke 17

• Luke 17:1-10 There are three obligations a disciple of Jesus should embrace. As a Christian we must not lead others into sin (presumably sinning by causing them to reject Jesus as Lord). As a Christian we are obligated to forgive those who have wronged us once they repent. As a Christian we are obligated to be Christ’s servants; we do as Christ has commanded. This lesson is repeated often in the rest of the New Testament, most notably by the Apostle Paul to the church in Corinth. Chapter eight is especially important. There he points out that our knowledge and understanding of Truth should not override our love and compassion toward others, especially those “young in the faith” (1 Corinthians 8:12-13).
• Luke 17:11-17 I find it interesting that this is an actual event, not a story or a parable. It speaks volumes about what many people thought of Jesus. Oh, they liked it when He fed them or healed them, but their hearts were filled with selfish motives. We see this in John 6:66. The minute Jesus starts asking the people to believe and accept Him as Savior, Messiah, and Lord, they walk away. This is why the nine who were healed never came back. They got what they wanted (and perhaps felt they deserved). The foreigner (a Samaritan), understood who had done this for him. This is why He came back and threw himself at Jesus feet. He recognized Jesus as God. Whether he recognized Jesus as the Messiah is not mentioned. Some people have asked if the nine who did not return were truly healed. Luke points out that they were healed before they made it to a priest (verse 14), yet he only pronounced healing to the one who returned (verse 19). When I’m asked this question I always point out verse 17. Jesus says “Were there not ten who were healed” – a pretty clear indication that they all received healing, but only one received a special blessing. Some Bibles will include a footnote at the end of verse 17, indication that an alternative translation of this phrase could read “your faith has delivered you”, or “your faith has saved you”. It’s quite possible Jesus was speaking of this man’s recognition of who Jesus was (a spiritual cleansing), not simply a physical cleansing.
• Luke 17:20-21 It seems logical that these Pharisees would ask this question considering that Jesus had been speaking about the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven throughout much of His ministry. Jesus responds by saying that the Pharisees would not be able to observe the coming of the Kingdom by visible signs. In other words, it will not happen by overthrowing the Roman presence within Israel and declaring the nation independent once again. Jesus says these Pharisees are completely unaware that the Kingdom of God is already among them (or is within their grasp), not that it exists within them. However, the Pharisees were right. At some point in time the Kingdom of God will be evident. People will be able to see and recognize that God’s promise of restoration has finally been fulfilled. But what they missed was that Jesus came first to establish a Spiritual Kingdom; a Kingdom hidden within the hearts of those who believe. Then one day this Kingdom will be revealed.
• Luke 17:22-25 Even today many people long for Christ to return and establish His external earthly kingdom. The Apostles longed for this day, especially considering the suffering and hardship they faced. Christians have been longing for this day for nearly two thousand years. Jesus says that when the day does come, no one will miss it; it will not be something secret and hidden within the hearts of believers.
• Luke 17:22-35 (or 36, depending on what translation you read) Although no one will miss the coming of His earthly Kingdom, many will be unprepared and unwilling for it to come. Can you believe that? Many will be unwilling! I can understand the unprepared part (the Noah reference), but to cling to this life instead of willingly accepting the life Jesus offers (the reference to Lot’s wife)? By the way, this is not a reference to the Rapture, as some have claimed. This is a lesson on the coming of Christ’s earthly Kingdom. This is a lesson about the coming Judgment (the Sodom reference). He will return when people are not looking or do not expect Christ to reappear. And since the Church has constantly been watching and waiting, looking for the signs, the one’s left behind here speak of those who will enjoy the earthly reign of Christ. Those taken away are taken into judgment. Prior to this “Second Coming”, the Church has already been taken away. The Rapture has happened before the millennial reign of Christ.
• Luke 17:37 The disciples ask where will this happen, not when, an indication that they wanted to know where those taken into judgment will go. “Jesus says that when the judgment comes, the scenes of death will be obvious and so will the location of the judgment”.[1]

^[1] Biblical Studies Press. (2006). The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.