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Forgiveness, Faith and Service
Jesus teaches his disciples about causing others to stumble, responding to sin, repeated forgiveness, and faith. These sayings belong together because they show how seriously his followers should treat their influence, relationships, and trust in the Lord.
Understanding the passage
Understanding the passage
In this passage, Jesus speaks directly to the disciples and then to the apostles. He warns about leading others into stumbling, gives clear instructions for rebuke and forgiveness when a brother sins, and answers the apostles’ request for greater faith with a vivid comparison about a mustard seed and a tree.
Luke 17:1–6Main takeaway
Jesus calls his followers to take sin seriously, forgive a repentant brother repeatedly, and trust that even small faith is significant.
Explore the teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A serious warning about causing stumblingJesus says occasions of stumbling will come, yet he warns the person through whom they come.
Explanation
Jesus says occasions of stumbling will come, yet he warns the person through whom they come. The warning is strong: it would be better to face drowning with a millstone than to cause one of the little ones to stumble. Jesus shows that leading others into sin or downfall is a grave matter.
02Be careful with sin between believersJesus then says, “Be careful.” If a brother sins, the disciple should rebuke him. This means the sin is not ignored or excused.
Explanation
Jesus then says, “Be careful.” If a brother sins, the disciple should rebuke him. This means the sin is not ignored or excused. Yet rebuke is not the final step. If the brother repents, forgiveness is required. Both truthfulness and mercy are part of Jesus’ instruction.
03Forgiveness may need to be repeatedJesus describes a hard case: the same person sins seven times in one day, returns seven times, and says, “I repent.”
Explanation
Jesus describes a hard case: the same person sins seven times in one day, returns seven times, and says, “I repent.” Jesus says, “you shall forgive him.” The focus is not on keeping score, but on a repeated readiness to forgive when repentance is confessed.
04The apostles ask for more faithAfter hearing this, the apostles ask, “Increase our faith.” Their response fits what Jesus has said, because his commands are weighty.
05A picture of faith’s powerJesus says that faith like a grain of mustard seed could tell a sycamore tree to be uprooted and planted in the sea, and it would obey.
Explanation
Jesus says that faith like a grain of mustard seed could tell a sycamore tree to be uprooted and planted in the sea, and it would obey. The saying highlights the power of faith by using a striking picture. Jesus answers the apostles by directing attention to faith itself, not to large size.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Why does Jesus speak so strongly about causing “little ones” to stumble?
Look at the comparison in Luke 17:2 and notice how severe Jesus says this matter is.
02What two actions does Jesus require when a brother sins and then repents?
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Luke 17:1–6
1He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no occasions of stumbling should come, but woe to him through whom they come!
2It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, rather than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble.
3Be careful. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him. If he repents, forgive him.
4If he sins against you seven times in the day, and seven times returns, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”
5The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”
6The Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you would tell this sycamore tree, ‘Be uprooted and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.