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1. Then said he. [Forgiveness, Faith, and Service, Luke 17:1-10]. Nothing is said as to the time and place of the following section of Luke’s Gospel account. There seems to be little or no direct connection with the preceding chapter, so far as subject matter is concerned. Furthermore, the Pharisees, previously addressed (see on ch. 16:14), seem to be absent now, in vs. ch. 1-19 of 17. And since there is a journey recorded (see ch. 17:11) before the Pharisees are again introduced into the narrative (v. 20), it seems most probable that there is a transition in time and place between chs. 16 and 17. From the record of ch. 17 it appears that this journey took Jesus through Samaria and the borders of Galilee, and eventually brought Him across the Jordan into Peraea once again (see on Luke 17:11; see Closing Peraean Ministry).

The lack of a clear connection between the various subdivisions of the instruction given in vs. 1-10 has led some to think that Luke here reports the gist of what was given upon various occasions. This is entirely possible, and it may be that Luke here records the high points of instruction given the disciples during the course of this journey. At the same time it is possible to discover an underlying relationship between the various parts, but whether actual unity of thought exists is debatable. In vs. 1, 2 Jesus states that it is a sin to lead others into sin. In vs. 3, 4 He points to the disciples’ duty to forgive others when they have done wrong. Verses 5, 6 deal with faith as essential to living out the principles of the gospel, and vs. 7-10 constitute a parable illustrating gospel principles. For comment on vs. 1, 2 see on Matt. 18:6, 7.

Offences. Gr. skandala, literally, “occasions for stumbling” (see on Matt. 5:29).