Luke 17:3
Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
Original Language Analysis
προσέχετε
Take heed
G4337
προσέχετε
Take heed
Strong's:
G4337
Word #:
1 of 17
(figuratively) to hold the mind (3563 implied) towards, i.e., pay attention to, be cautious about, apply oneself to, adhere to
ἑαυτοῖς
to yourselves
G1438
ἑαυτοῖς
to yourselves
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
2 of 17
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
ἐὰν
if
G1437
ἐὰν
if
Strong's:
G1437
Word #:
3 of 17
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
ἁμάρτῃ
trespass
G264
ἁμάρτῃ
trespass
Strong's:
G264
Word #:
5 of 17
properly, to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), i.e., (figuratively) to err, especially (morally) to sin
εἰς
against
G1519
εἰς
against
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
6 of 17
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀδελφός
brother
G80
ἀδελφός
brother
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
9 of 17
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
ἐπιτίμησον
rebuke
G2008
ἐπιτίμησον
rebuke
Strong's:
G2008
Word #:
11 of 17
to tax upon, i.e., censure or admonish; by implication, forbid
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
12 of 17
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐὰν
if
G1437
ἐὰν
if
Strong's:
G1437
Word #:
14 of 17
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
μετανοήσῃ
he repent
G3340
μετανοήσῃ
he repent
Strong's:
G3340
Word #:
15 of 17
to think differently or afterwards, i.e., reconsider (morally, feel compunction)
Cross References
Leviticus 19:17Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.Matthew 18:21Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?Proverbs 9:8Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.Proverbs 27:5Open rebuke is better than secret love.James 5:19Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;Exodus 34:12Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee:Deuteronomy 4:23Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the LORD your God, which he made with you, and make you a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, which the LORD thy God hath forbidden thee.Deuteronomy 4:9Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons;Hebrews 12:15Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;Psalms 141:5Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.
Historical Context
Jewish teaching debated forgiveness limits. Rabbi Jose ben Hanina taught forgiving three times; Peter's suggestion of seven times (Matthew 18:21) seemed generous. Jesus' 'seventy times seven' (Matthew 18:22) or 'seven times in a day' (Luke 17:4) obliterates scorekeeping, demanding limitless forgiveness for genuine repentance. This teaching challenged both the Pharisees' harsh judgment and cultural honor/shame dynamics that demanded retaliation for offenses. Early Christian communities struggled to implement this radical ethic (Matthew 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 5-6).
Questions for Reflection
- How does biblical forgiveness differ from both harsh unforgiveness and uncritical tolerance of sin?
- What does the balance between rebuke and forgiveness teach about combining truth and grace in Christian relationships?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus teaches: 'Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him' (προσέχετε ἑαυτοῖς. ἐὰν ἁμάρτῃ ὁ ἀδελφός σου, ἐπιτίμησον αὐτῷ, καὶ ἐὰν μετανοήσῃ, ἄφες αὐτῷ). The command 'prosechō' (προσέχετε, take heed) warns of spiritual danger. The verb 'epitimaō' (ἐπιτίμησον, rebuke) means to confront or admonish, not merely overlook sin. Conditional forgiveness follows repentance (ἐὰν μετανοήσῃ, ἄφες, if he repents, forgive), balancing grace with accountability. This pattern reflects God's own forgiveness—He requires repentance, not unconditional tolerance of unrepented sin. Yet verse 4's extension (forgiving seven times daily) demonstrates grace's abundance.