Luke 17:4
New International Version
Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”

New Living Translation
Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.”

English Standard Version
and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

Berean Standard Bible
Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

Berean Literal Bible
And if he should sin against you seven times in the day, and seven times should return to you, saying 'I repent,' you shall forgive him."

King James Bible
And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

New King James Version
And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”

New American Standard Bible
And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”

NASB 1995
“And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.”

NASB 1977
“And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.”

Amplified Bible
Even if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times and says, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him [that is, give up resentment and consider the offense recalled and annulled].”

Christian Standard Bible
And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and comes back to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and comes back to you seven times, saying, I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

American Standard Version
And if he sin against thee seven times in the day, and seven times turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

Contemporary English Version
Even if one of them mistreats you seven times in one day and says, "I am sorry," you should still forgive that person.

English Revised Version
And if he sin against thee seven times in the day, and seven times turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Even if he wrongs you seven times in one day and comes back to you seven times and says that he is sorry, forgive him."

Good News Translation
If he sins against you seven times in one day, and each time he comes to you saying, 'I repent,' you must forgive him."

International Standard Version
Even if he sins against you seven times in a day and comes back to you seven times and says, 'I repent,' you must forgive him."

Majority Standard Bible
Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

NET Bible
Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to you saying, 'I repent,' you must forgive him."

New Heart English Bible
And if he sins against you seven times in the day, and seven times returns to you, saying, 'I repent,' you must forgive him."

Webster's Bible Translation
And if he shall trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day shall turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

Weymouth New Testament
and if seven times in a day he acts wrongly towards you, and seven times turns again to you and says, 'I am sorry,' you must forgive him."

World English Bible
If he sins against you seven times in the day, and seven times returns, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and if seven times in the day he may sin against you, and seven times in the day may return to you, saying, I change my mind, you will forgive him.”

Berean Literal Bible
And if he should sin against you seven times in the day, and seven times should return to you, saying 'I repent,' you shall forgive him."

Young's Literal Translation
and if seven times in the day he may sin against thee, and seven times in the day may turn back to thee, saying, I reform; thou shalt forgive him.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And if seven times in a day he sin against thee, and seven times in a day turn back to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt let him go.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And if he sin against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day be converted unto thee, saying, I repent; forgive him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And if he has sinned against you seven times a day, and seven times a day has turned back to you, saying, ‘I am sorry,’ then forgive him.”

New American Bible
And if he wrongs you seven times in one day and returns to you seven times saying, ‘I am sorry,’ you should forgive him.”

New Revised Standard Version
And if the same person sins against you seven times a day, and turns back to you seven times and says, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And if he should offend you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn to you and say, I repent; forgive him.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“And if he sins against you seven times in a day and seven times in the day returns to you and says, 'I am sorry', forgive him.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And if he sin against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to you and say, I repent, you shall forgive him.

Godbey New Testament
But if he may sin against thee seven times a day, and seven times turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

Haweis New Testament
And if seven times in the day he sin against thee, and seven times in the day return to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

Mace New Testament
tho' he should offend you seven times in a day, and seven times in the day return to you, saying, I repent, you must forgive him.

Weymouth New Testament
and if seven times in a day he acts wrongly towards you, and seven times turns again to you and says, 'I am sorry,' you must forgive him."

Worrell New Testament
And, if he sins against you seven times in the day, and seven times turns to you, saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive him."

Worsley New Testament
And if he trespass against thee seven times a day, and seven times in a day return to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Temptations and Trespasses
3Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” 5The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”…

Cross References
Matthew 18:21-22
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?” / Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!

Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.

Colossians 3:13
Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Mark 11:25
And when you stand to pray, if you hold anything against another, forgive it, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your trespasses as well.”

Matthew 6:14-15
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. / But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Proverbs 24:16
For though a righteous man may fall seven times, he still gets up; but the wicked stumble in bad times.

James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.

2 Corinthians 2:10
If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And if I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven it in the presence of Christ for your sake,

Matthew 5:23-24
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, / leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

Genesis 50:17
‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I beg you, please forgive the transgression and sin of your brothers, for they did you wrong.’ So now, Joseph, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.

Psalm 103:12
As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Isaiah 55:7
Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.

Micah 7:18-19
Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance—who does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion? / He will again have compassion on us; He will vanquish our iniquities. You will cast out all our sins into the depths of the sea.

Nehemiah 9:17
They refused to listen and failed to remember the wonders You performed among them. They stiffened their necks and appointed a leader to return them to their bondage in Egypt. But You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in loving devotion, and You did not forsake them.


Treasury of Scripture

And if he trespass against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to you, saying, I repent; you shall forgive him.

if.

Matthew 18:21,22,35
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? …

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, …

Ephesians 4:31,32
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: …

I repent.

Matthew 5:44
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Matthew 6:12,14,15
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors…

Matthew 18:16
But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

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Acts Forgive Forgiveness Reform Regret Repent Returns Seven Sin Sins Sorry Times Towards Trespass Turn Turns Wrong Wrongly
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Acts Forgive Forgiveness Reform Regret Repent Returns Seven Sin Sins Sorry Times Towards Trespass Turn Turns Wrong Wrongly
Luke 17
1. Jesus teaches to avoid occasions of offense;
3. and to forgive one another.
5. The power of faith.
6. How we are bound to God.
11. Jesus heals ten lepers.
22. Of the kingdom of God, and the coming of the Son of Man.














Even if he sins against you seven times in a day
This phrase emphasizes the frequency and persistence of sin. The number "seven" in biblical terms often symbolizes completeness or perfection. In this context, it suggests that no matter how complete or frequent the offense, forgiveness should still be extended. The Greek word for "sins" (ἁμαρτάνω, hamartanō) implies missing the mark or falling short of God's standards. Historically, the Jewish tradition emphasized forgiveness, but Jesus expands this teaching to an extraordinary level, challenging His followers to embody divine grace.

and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’
The repetition of "seven times" underscores the sincerity and persistence of the offender's repentance. The Greek word for "repent" (μετανοέω, metanoeō) means to change one's mind or purpose, indicating a genuine transformation of heart. In the historical context of Jesus' ministry, repentance was a central theme, calling individuals to turn away from sin and towards God. This phrase highlights the importance of recognizing and accepting genuine repentance, even if it occurs repeatedly.

you must forgive him
The command to "forgive" (ἀφίημι, aphiēmi) in Greek means to let go, release, or send away. This reflects the Christian duty to release others from the debt of their offenses, mirroring God's forgiveness towards humanity. In the scriptural context, forgiveness is not optional but a mandate for believers, reflecting the grace and mercy that God extends to all. This teaching aligns with the broader biblical narrative of reconciliation and restoration, encouraging believers to foster relationships grounded in love and forgiveness.

(4) If he trespass against thee.--Better, if he sin. The better MSS. omit the words, "against thee," and so make the command more general, and the verb is the same as that in Matthew 18:21, the teaching of which is here manifestly reproduced. The outward form seems at first to present a somewhat lower standard of forgiveness, "seven times," instead of "seventy times seven." Here, however, it should be remembered that we have "seven times a day," and the meaning is obviously the same in both passages. No accumulation of offences, however often repeated, is to be allowed to bring us to the hardness which refuses to forgive when the offender says that he repents and asks forgiveness.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Even
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

if
ἐὰν (ean)
Conjunction
Strong's 1437: If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.

he sins
ἁμαρτήσῃ (hamartēsē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 264: Perhaps from a and the base of meros; properly, to miss the mark, i.e. to err, especially to sin.

against
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

you
σὲ (se)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

seven times
ἑπτάκις (heptakis)
Adverb
Strong's 2034: Seven times. Adverb from hepta; seven times.

in a
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

day,
ἡμέρας (hēmeras)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2250: A day, the period from sunrise to sunset.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

seven times
ἑπτάκις (heptakis)
Adverb
Strong's 2034: Seven times. Adverb from hepta; seven times.

returns
ἐπιστρέψῃ (epistrepsē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1994: From epi and strepho; to revert.

to say,
λέγων (legōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

‘I repent,’
Μετανοῶ (Metanoō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3340: From meta and noieo; to think differently or afterwards, i.e. Reconsider.

you must forgive
ἀφήσεις (aphēseis)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 863: From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications.

him.”
αὐτῷ (autō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.


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NT Gospels: Luke 17:4 If he sins against you seven times (Luke Lu Lk)
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