What does Jesus mean when he says offences will surely come?

When Jesus says it is impossible but that offences will come, he is saying that in this fallen world there will always be temptations to sin, wrong teaching, and actions that cause others to stumble. Sin will show up even inside the community of believers. But he adds a very strong warning: it is a serious thing to be the person through whom those offences come. God sees when someone leads others into sin or weakens their faith, and that person will answer to him for it. So believers should expect problems, but be very careful not to be the cause of them.

Who are the little ones that Jesus warns us not to offend?

The “little ones” are not just children, though it can include them. It points to those who are weak, humble, or vulnerable in faith. They may be new believers or people who are easily shaken. Jesus says it would be better to die a violent death with a millstone around the neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble. This shows how much he cares for the weakest in his flock. It also means we must watch our words, behavior, and example, so that nothing in our lives pushes them toward sin or drives them away from trusting God.

How should believers handle it when a brother sins against them?

Jesus gives a clear pattern. First, “take heed to yourselves,” meaning watch your own heart. Then, if your brother sins against you, you should rebuke him, which means you go to him and plainly tell him his fault, seeking his good, not trying to hurt him. If he listens and repents, you must forgive him. Jesus even says if he sins against you seven times in one day, and seven times comes back saying, “I repent,” you are to forgive. This shows that forgiveness is not optional for disciples. When there is real repentance, there must be real forgiveness, again and again.

Why did the apostles ask Jesus to increase their faith here?

When the apostles heard Jesus’ command to keep forgiving a sinning brother, even many times in one day, they felt how hard this is for weak hearts. They knew they could not do this in their own strength. That is why they cried, “Increase our faith.” They understood that such patient forgiveness, guarding others from stumbling, and living as humble servants requires a trust in God that they did not have on their own. Their request shows an honest sense of weakness and a right response: asking the Lord to give what he commands, by growing their faith.

What does faith as a grain of mustard seed mean in this passage?

Jesus says that if they had faith like a grain of mustard seed, they could tell a sycamine tree to be uprooted and planted in the sea, and it would obey. The mustard seed was known as very small, so the picture is that even a tiny, real faith in God is powerful. It is not the size of faith that matters most, but the One that faith rests on. This word comes right after the call to forgive again and again. It shows that God can work great things through even small faith, including the strength to obey hard commands and to keep trusting him.

Why does Jesus tell a story about a servant coming in from the field?

Jesus describes a servant who plows or feeds cattle all day, then comes in and is told by his master to prepare supper and serve him before eating himself. The master does not thank the servant for doing what he was told. This picture shows how things worked with slaves in that time, but Jesus uses it to teach about our place before God. God owns us and all we have. Even if we served him all day and night, we would only be giving him what already belongs to him. Our service does not put God in our debt or give us a claim on him.

What does it mean when Jesus says we are unprofitable servants?

When Jesus tells his disciples to say, “We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do,” he is teaching a posture of deep humility. Even if someone could obey every command of God perfectly, they would still only have done what they owed to their Creator. They would not have added anything to God or earned any merit. In reality, our obedience is far from perfect, so we have even less reason to boast. This mindset guards us from pride, reminds us that we live by grace, and helps us serve God without demanding praise or reward.

How does this passage connect forgiveness, faith, and humble service?

The teaching moves in a clear line. First, Jesus warns against causing others to stumble and commands generous forgiveness when a brother repents. That feels heavy, so the apostles ask for more faith. Jesus then shows that even small faith can do what seems impossible, like moving a tree, which includes obeying hard commands. Finally, he reminds them they are servants who, even after doing all commanded, should still see themselves as unprofitable. Together this shows that disciples guard others, forgive freely, trust God’s power in their weakness, and keep a low view of themselves as they serve.

How can this teaching about offences and forgiveness apply in daily life?

In daily life, this passage calls you to watch both your influence and your reactions. You are to be careful that your words, choices, and habits do not trip up weaker believers or encourage sin. When someone wrongs you and then truly repents, you are not to hold onto bitterness, but to forgive, even if it happens again and again. When that feels beyond you, this text pushes you to pray, like the apostles, for increased faith. At the same time, it reminds you that every act of obedience is simple duty, so you keep serving quietly without seeking credit.

What does this passage teach about God’s character and our place before him?

This passage shows that God deeply cares for the weak and will not overlook those who harm them. He calls his people to be honest about sin, quick to forgive repentance, and steady in service. It also shows that God is the rightful Master of our whole lives. He does not owe us anything, even when we obey, yet he kindly uses us in his work. Our place before him is not as partners who earn wages, but as servants who already owe everything. This keeps us small in our own eyes and helps us lean on his mercy rather than our works.

Luke.17.1

Luke 17:1

KJV Jesus

Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!

Temptations and Trespasses

Instructions

1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!

It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.

And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?

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?

Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.

So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.