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?
LUKE 17:8KJVWhat does Luke 17:8 mean?
Luke 17:8 describes a master telling his servant, after the servant has finished work in the field, to prepare the master's meal, get ready to serve, and wait on the master until he has finished eating and drinking; only then is the servant allowed to eat and drink himself. The verse uses this everyday scene to illustrate the expectation that a servant’s duty is not finished until the master’s needs are fully met.
In this passage, Jesus is speaking to his disciples, using the example of a servant and master to make a point about duty and humility. The verse is part of a short parable where Jesus asks whether a master would invite his servant to eat first, or expect the servant to serve him before taking care of himself. The focus is on the normal expectations of service in that culture, highlighting that fulfilling one's duty is simply what is expected, not something that earns special favor.
The Greek behind Luke 17:8
- "γύψαι" (gird thyself, transliteration: gupsai): This word means to tie up one's clothing, often for active work or service. It emphasizes the readiness and effort expected of the servant.
- "διακόνει" (serve, transliteration: diakonei): This word means to serve or wait upon, and is the root of the English word "deacon." It highlights the servant’s active role in meeting the master's needs.
- "ἕως φάγω καὶ πίω" (till I have eaten and drunken, transliteration: heōs phagō kai piō): This phrase sets a clear boundary—the servant’s own needs are secondary until the master is satisfied.
Why Luke 17:8 matters
- Luke 17:8 helps clear up any idea that serving God or others is something extra or above-and-beyond; in Jesus’ teaching, it is simply what is expected of a servant.
- The verse connects to the wider passage by setting up Jesus’ teaching on humility and the attitude his followers should have about their own service.
- Understanding the cultural context of masters and servants in Jesus’ time helps modern readers grasp the weight of the example and the humility Jesus is calling for.