Luke 17:3 4 Jesus Teaches About Forgiving Others

Target year level: Year Two

Scripture text

Introduction

This text is part of the Gospel according to Luke and it is important to understand this text in relation to the whole of Luke’s Gospel.

The Gospel is the first of a two-part work, Luke-Acts, which is sometimes thought of as a novel in two parts. The gospel gives an account of the life and mission of Jesus and the Book of Acts tells the story of the rapid expansion of the early church. The two books were probably written in the latter decades of the first century. Even though the works are anonymous, authorship is traditionally attributed to Luke. Today, many scholars accept that the author was an inhabitant of Antioch in Syria and a companion of Paul.

Luke was writing for Greek speaking, gentile (non-Jewish) Christians. Luke’s interpretation of events is influenced by his desire to show how Christianity is compatible with citizenship in the Roman Empire, that is, how one can believe in Jesus and, at the same time, be loyal to (if not worship) the emperor.

The author paints a portrait of Jesus who is the fulfilment of God’s promises to Israel. The promises are fulfilled in unexpected ways, in that they include everyone: Jews and gentiles, men and women, tax collectors and outcasts. Jesus is hospitable and caring for the poor and the marginalised.

Luke emphasises the role of the Holy Spirit in the gospel and Acts. He also gives significance to the parts played by Mary and a number of women disciples.

World behind the text

Luke lived in Antioch in Syria (now Turkey) which was an important centre in the Roman Empire. Also, Antioch was one of the earliest centres of Christianity and it was there that the followers of Christ were first called Christians. The city had a pluralistic society and the Christians who lived there were both Jews and gentiles. There were tensions between the two groups, who disagreed about how to be faithful followers of Jesus: the Jews believed it essential to follow traditional devotions and practices, including circumcision, Sabbath observance as well as dietary and purity regulations; the gentiles, on the other hand, saw no need for these old ways.

The destruction of the Jerusalem temple by the Romans was a major blow to the confidence of both groups. This catastrophe shook their faith in the God of Israel, who made so many promises to the chosen people and whose Kingdom was proclaimed by Jesus. So it was important for Luke to write about Jesus in a way that showed that he was the fulfilment of God’s promises.

World of the Text

This passage is about forgiveness in response to true repentance. Jesus advises his disciples to look out for each other: when a fellow disciple does something wrong, don’t ignore it, but challenge him/her about it. This is not about being authoritarian, but showing concern for the wellbeing of another. Jesus goes further: if the offender is truly sorry, then the victim must respond with forgiveness.

This text is thought to be part of the ‘Q’ source, that is, the sayings of Jesus.

World in Front of the Text

Looking out for friends is an important part of Christian living. Ignoring a friend’s bad behaviour is not the way to honour a friendship, but holding a grudge is destructive for both parties. True reconciliation can only happen when the offender is truly sorry and the victim forgives. Repentance and forgiveness are two sides of the same coin. In order to repent, an offender must show concern for their victim; in order to forgive, the victim must show concern for the offender. In either case, disciples of Jesus are called to be open minded and big hearted.