Luke 17:1 — Community Reflections

LUKE 17:1 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

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

Jesus said to his disciples, things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come — the stumbling-block saying opens the chapter's teaching on forgiveness, faith, and the kingdom's coming. Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come (anendekton estin tou ta skandala mē elthein, it is impossible for the stumbling blocks not to come): the necessity of temptations in the present age. But woe to the person through whom they come: the necessity does not remove the responsibility.

Church Fathers on Luke 17:1

Because the Pharisees were covetous and railed against Christ when He preached poverty, He put to them the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. Afterwards, in speaking with His disciples concerning the Pharisees, He declares them to be men who caused division, and placed obstacles in the divine way. As it follows: Then said he to his disciples, It is impossible but that offenses will come, that is, hindrances to a good life and which is pleasing to God.
Theophylact · 11th century

Now there are two kinds of offenses, of which the one resist the glory of God, but the other serve only to cause a stumbling-block to the brethren. For the inventions of heresies, and every word that is spoken against the truth, are obstructions to the glory of God. Such offenses however do not seem to be mentioned here, but rather those which occur between friends and brethren, as strifes, slanders, and the like. Therefore He adds afterwards, If your brother trespass against…
Cyril of Alexandria · 5th century

This is spoken according to the custom of the province of Palestine; for among the ancient Jews the punishment of those who were guilty of the greater crimes was that they should be sunk into the deep with a stone tied to them; and in truth it were better for a guilty man to finish his bodily life by a punishment however barbarous, yet temporal, than for his innocent brother to deserve the eternal death of his soul. Now he who can be offended is rightly called a little one;…
Bede · 8th century

Read all 5 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

Publish a reflection on this verse

No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!