Luke 17:7

Authorized King James Version

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?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
Τίς
which
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
#2
δὲ
But
but, and, etc
#3
ἐκ
from
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
#4
ὑμῶν
you
of (from or concerning) you
#5
δοῦλον
a servant
a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)
#6
ἔχων
having
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
#7
ἀροτριῶντα
plowing
to plow
#8
or
disjunctive, or; comparative, than
#9
ποιμαίνοντα
feeding cattle
to tend as a shepherd of (figuratively, superviser)
#10
ὃς
unto him
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
#11
εἰσελθόντι
when he is come
to enter (literally or figuratively)
#12
ἐκ
from
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
#13
τοῦ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#14
ἀγροῦ
G68
the field
a field (as a drive for cattle); genitive case, the country; specially, a farm, i.e., hamlet
#15
ἐρεῖ
will say
an alternate for g2036 in certain tenses; to utter, i.e., speak or say
#16
Εὐθέως
by and by
directly, i.e., at once or soon
#17
παρελθὼν
Go
to come near or aside, i.e., to approach (arrive), go by (or away), (figuratively) perish or neglect, (causative) avert
#18
ἀνάπεσαι·
and sit down to meat
to fall back, i.e., lie down, lean back

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

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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