Luke 17:3

Authorized King James Version

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

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
προσέχετε
Take heed
(figuratively) to hold the mind (3563 implied) towards, i.e., pay attention to, be cautious about, apply oneself to, adhere to
#2
ἑαυτοῖς
to yourselves
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
#3
ἐὰν
if
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
#4
δὲ
If
but, and, etc
#5
ἁμάρτῃ
trespass
properly, to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), i.e., (figuratively) to err, especially (morally) to sin
#6
εἰς
against
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
#7
σὲ
thee
thee
#8
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#9
ἀδελφός
G80
brother
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
#10
σου
thy
of thee, thy
#11
ἐπιτίμησον
rebuke
to tax upon, i.e., censure or admonish; by implication, forbid
#12
αὐτῷ
him
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
#13
καὶ
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#14
ἐὰν
if
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
#15
μετανοήσῃ
he repent
to think differently or afterwards, i.e., reconsider (morally, feel compunction)
#16
ἄφες
forgive
to send forth, in various applications (as follow)
#17
αὐτῷ
him
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

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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