Luke 17:5 (KJV)

What does Luke 17:5 mean?

Luke 17:5 shows the apostles asking Jesus to help them have more faith. They recognize that their trust in God is not as strong as it could be, so they turn to Jesus and ask Him to increase it.

In this scene, the apostles are speaking directly to Jesus, whom they call "Lord." This request comes right after Jesus has taught them about forgiveness and the challenges of following Him. The apostles realize that living out His teachings will require greater faith than they currently have, so they humbly ask for help.

The Greek behind Luke 17:5

• The word for "increase" is προστίθημι (prostithēmi), which means to add to or give more of something. The apostles are not just asking for a little help, but for a real growth or addition to their faith.
• The Greek word for "faith" is πίστις (pistis), often understood as trust, confidence, or reliance on God. The apostles see faith as something that can grow or be strengthened, not just a fixed amount.
• The word "apostles" is ἀπόστολοι (apostoloi), meaning those who are sent out. This highlights that even Jesus’ closest followers felt the need for greater faith to carry out their mission.

Why Luke 17:5 matters

• Luke 17:5 shows that even the apostles, who were close to Jesus, felt their faith was lacking and were honest about their need for help.
• The verse connects to the earlier teachings about forgiveness, suggesting that living out Jesus’ commands can feel overwhelming without God’s help.
• This request for increased faith sets up Jesus’ response in the next verses, where He explains what even a small amount of faith can accomplish.