Luke 17:8
New International Version
Won’t he rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’?

New Living Translation
No, he says, ‘Prepare my meal, put on your apron, and serve me while I eat. Then you can eat later.’

English Standard Version
Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’?

Berean Standard Bible
Instead, won’t he tell him, ‘Prepare my meal and dress yourself to serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you may eat and drink’?

Berean Literal Bible
Instead, will he not say to him, 'Prepare what I may eat, and having girded yourself about, serve me while I eat and drink; and after these things you shall eat and drink'?

King James Bible
And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?

New King James Version
But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’?

New American Standard Bible
On the contrary, will he not say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat, and properly clothe yourself and serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink’?

NASB 1995
“But will he not say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat, and properly clothe yourself and serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink ‘?

NASB 1977
“But will he not say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat, and properly clothe yourself and serve me until I have eaten and drunk; and afterward you will eat and drink’?

Legacy Standard Bible
But will he not say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat, and, clothing yourself properly, serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink’?

Amplified Bible
Will he not instead say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat, and appropriately clothe yourself [for service] and serve me while I eat and drink; then afterward you may eat and drink?’

Christian Standard Bible
Instead, will he not tell him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat, get ready, and serve me while I eat and drink; later you can eat and drink’?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Instead, will he not tell him, Prepare something for me to eat, get ready, and serve me while I eat and drink; later you can eat and drink?

American Standard Version
and will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?

Contemporary English Version
No, you wouldn't say that. You would say, "Prepare me something to eat. Get ready to serve me, so I can have my meal. Then later on you can eat and drink."

English Revised Version
and will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
No. Instead, he tells his servant, 'Get dinner ready for me! After you serve me my dinner, you can eat yours.'

Good News Translation
Of course not! Instead, you say to him, 'Get my supper ready, then put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may have your meal.'

International Standard Version
Of course not. Instead, he would say to him, 'Get dinner ready for me, and put on your apron and wait on me until I eat and drink. Then you can eat and drink.'

Majority Standard Bible
Instead, won’t he tell him, ‘Prepare my meal and dress yourself to serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink’?

NET Bible
Won't the master instead say to him, 'Get my dinner ready, and make yourself ready to serve me while I eat and drink. Then you may eat and drink'?

New Heart English Bible
But will he not say to him, 'Prepare my supper, clothe yourself properly, and serve me, while I eat and drink, and afterward you can eat and drink'?

Webster's Bible Translation
And will not rather say to him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drank; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?

Weymouth New Testament
and will not rather say to him, 'Get my dinner ready, make yourself tidy, and wait upon me till I have finished my dinner, and then you shall have yours'?

World English Bible
Wouldn’t he rather tell him, ‘Prepare my supper, clothe yourself properly, and serve me while I eat and drink. Afterward you shall eat and drink’?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
But will not [rather] say to him, Prepare what I may dine, and having girded yourself around, minister to me, until I eat and drink, and after these things you will eat and drink?

Berean Literal Bible
Instead, will he not say to him, 'Prepare what I may eat, and having girded yourself about, serve me while I eat and drink; and after these things you shall eat and drink'?

Young's Literal Translation
but will not rather say to him, Prepare what I may sup, and having girded thyself about, minister to me, till I eat and drink, and after these things thou shalt eat and drink?

Smith's Literal Translation
But will he not say to him, Prepare what I shall sup, and, being girded, serve me, till I eat and drink; and after these, thou mayest eat and drink?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And will not rather say to him: Make ready my supper, and gird thyself, and serve me, whilst I eat and drink, and afterwards thou shalt eat and drink?

Catholic Public Domain Version
and would not say to him: ‘Prepare my dinner; gird yourself and minister to me, while I eat and drink; and after these things, you shall eat and drink?’

New American Bible
Would he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink. You may eat and drink when I am finished’?

New Revised Standard Version
Would you not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink’?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But he will rather say to him, Prepare something that I may have my supper, and gird yourself and serve me until I eat and drink; and then you also can eat and drink.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“But he says to him, 'Prepare for me something to eat and put on your apron to serve me until I shall have eaten and have drunk; after this you also will eat and drink.'”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But will he not say to him, Make ready my supper, and gird yourself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunk; and afterward, you shall eat and drink?

Godbey New Testament
But will he not say to him, Prepare what I may sup, and girding thyself, minister unto me, until I may eat and drink; and after these things you eat and drink?

Haweis New Testament
And will he not rather say, Prepare for me to sup, and gird thyself, and wait upon me, till I eat and drink; and after that, thou shalt eat and drink thyself?

Mace New Testament
won't he rather say, get ready my supper, dress yourself, and wait upon me, till I have done eating and drinking; after that, take your meal?

Weymouth New Testament
and will not rather say to him, 'Get my dinner ready, make yourself tidy, and wait upon me till I have finished my dinner, and then you shall have yours'?

Worrell New Testament
and will not rather say to him, 'Make ready wherewith I may sup; and, having girded yourself, serve me, until I eat and drink; and afterward you shall eat and drink?'

Worsley New Testament
But will he not rather say to him, Get ready my supper, and gird thyself, and wait upon me, till I have done, and afterwards thou shalt eat and drink.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Power of Faith
7Which of you whose servant comes in from plowing or shepherding in the field will say to him, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? 8Instead, won’t he tell him, ‘Prepare my meal and dress yourself to serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink’? 9Does he thank the servant because he did what he was told?…

Cross References
Matthew 20:27-28
and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave— / just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

John 13:13-16
You call Me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, because I am. / So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. / I have set you an example so that you should do as I have done for you. ...

Philippians 2:7
but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness.

Matthew 24:45-47
Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of his household, to give the others their food at the proper time? / Blessed is that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. / Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.

1 Corinthians 9:19
Though I am free of obligation to anyone, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.

Romans 6:16-18
Do you not know that when you offer yourselves as obedient slaves, you are slaves to the one you obey, whether you are slaves to sin leading to death, or to obedience leading to righteousness? / But thanks be to God that, though you once were slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were committed. / You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

Ephesians 6:5-8
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. / And do this not only to please them while they are watching, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. / Serve with good will, as to the Lord and not to men, ...

Colossians 3:22-24
Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord. / Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, as for the Lord and not for men, / because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

1 Peter 2:18
Servants, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but even to those who are unreasonable.

Galatians 5:13
For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love.

1 Timothy 6:1-2
All who are under the yoke of slavery should regard their masters as fully worthy of honor, so that God’s name and our teaching will not be discredited. / Those who have believing masters should not show disrespect because they are brothers, but should serve them all the more, since those receiving their good service are beloved believers. Teach and encourage these principles.

Titus 2:9-10
Slaves are to submit to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, / not stealing from them, but showing all good faith, so that in every respect they will adorn the teaching about God our Savior.

Exodus 21:5-6
But if the servant declares, ‘I love my master and my wife and children; I do not want to go free,’ / then his master is to bring him before the judges. And he shall take him to the door or doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he shall serve his master for life.

Deuteronomy 15:16-17
But if your servant says to you, ‘I do not want to leave you,’ because he loves you and your household and is well off with you, / then take an awl and pierce it through his ear into the door, and he will become your servant for life. And treat your maidservant the same way.

1 Samuel 3:9
“Go and lie down,” he said to Samuel, “and if He calls you, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.


Treasury of Scripture

And will not rather say to him, Make ready with which I may sup, and gird yourself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward you shall eat and drink?

Make.

Genesis 43:16
And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, Bring these men home, and slay, and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon.

2 Samuel 12:20
Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.

and gird.

Luke 12:37
Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.

Jump to Previous
Afterward Clothe Dinner Drank Drink Drunken Eat Eaten Gird Girded Minister Needs Prepare Properly Rather Ready Serve Sup Supper Thyself Wherewith
Jump to Next
Afterward Clothe Dinner Drank Drink Drunken Eat Eaten Gird Girded Minister Needs Prepare Properly Rather Ready Serve Sup Supper Thyself Wherewith
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.














Instead, won’t he say to him
This phrase introduces a rhetorical question, emphasizing the expected behavior of a servant in the cultural context of the time. The Greek word for "instead" (ἀλλ᾽) is often used to contrast two ideas, highlighting the master's authority and the servant's duty. In the historical context, servants were expected to prioritize their master's needs above their own, reflecting a hierarchy that was well understood in ancient Jewish and Greco-Roman societies.

‘Prepare my meal
The act of preparing a meal was a common duty for servants, symbolizing service and hospitality. The Greek word for "prepare" (ἑτοίμασον) implies readiness and diligence. In biblical times, meal preparation was not just about food but also about creating an atmosphere of fellowship and care. This reflects the servant's role in ensuring the master's comfort and satisfaction, a metaphor for the believer's service to God.

and dress yourself to serve me
"Dress yourself" (περιζώσας) literally means to gird oneself, a term used to describe the act of tucking in one's garments to be ready for work. This imagery is powerful, symbolizing readiness and willingness to serve. In the biblical context, it reflects the call for believers to be prepared and eager to serve God and others, embodying humility and dedication.

while I eat and drink
The master's eating and drinking signify a time of rest and enjoyment, which the servant facilitates. The Greek words for "eat" (φάγω) and "drink" (πίω) are straightforward but carry the connotation of sustenance and satisfaction. This phrase underscores the servant's role in providing for the master's needs first, a principle that can be applied to the Christian life, where serving God takes precedence over personal desires.

and afterward you may eat and drink’?
The promise of eating and drinking afterward highlights the reward for faithful service. The sequence of serving first and then partaking reflects the biblical principle of selflessness and delayed gratification. In the Christian context, it serves as a reminder that earthly service to God and others precedes heavenly rewards, echoing the teachings of Jesus about the last being first in the kingdom of God.

(8) Gird thyself, and serve me.--Better, minister to me. The words receive a fresh significance if we connect them with Luke 12:37, of which they are, as it were, the complement. There the Master promises that He will gird Himself, and minister to His disciples. Here He tells them that He too requires a service. They must give Him the meat and the drink of seeing that His Father's will is done on earth (John 4:32; John 4:34), and then they too shall be sharers in His joy. Yet another aspect of the same truths is found in the later promise of the Lord of the Churches to the servant who watches for His coming, "I will sup with him, and he with Me" (Revelation 3:20).



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Instead,
ἀλλ’ (all’)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

won’t he tell
ἐρεῖ (erei)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2046: Probably a fuller form of rheo; an alternate for epo in certain tenses; to utter, i.e. Speak or say.

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.

‘Prepare
Ἑτοίμασον (Hetoimason)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2090: To make ready, prepare. From hetoimos; to prepare.

my meal
δειπνήσω (deipnēsō)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1172: To dine, sup, eat. From deipnon; to dine, i.e. Take the principle meal.

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

dress yourself
περιζωσάμενος (perizōsamenos)
Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4024: From peri and zonnumi; to gird all around, i.e. to fasten on one's belt.

to serve
διακόνει (diakonei)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 1247: From diakonos; to be an attendant, i.e. Wait upon (figuratively) teacher; technically, to act as a Christian deacon.

me
μοι (moi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

while
ἕως (heōs)
Conjunction
Strong's 2193: A conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until.

I eat
φάγω (phagō)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 5315: A primary verb; to eat.

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

drink;
πίω (piō)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 4095: To drink, imbibe. A prolonged form of pio, which poo occurs only as an alternate in certain tenses; to imbibe.

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

afterward
μετὰ (meta)
Preposition
Strong's 3326: (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives.

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

may eat
φάγεσαι (phagesai)
Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 5315: A primary verb; to eat.

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

drink’?
πίεσαι (piesai)
Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4095: To drink, imbibe. A prolonged form of pio, which poo occurs only as an alternate in certain tenses; to imbibe.


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NT Gospels: Luke 17:8 And will not rather tell him 'Prepare (Luke Lu Lk)
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