Bible Strands
Luke 17:4
Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses the apostles immediately after commanding them to rebuke a sinning brother and forgive him upon repentance. He speaks in direct response to their request for increased faith.
The words — The passage centers on ἑπτάκις (heptakis), meaning "seven times," and ἁμαρτὴσῃ (hamartēsei), meaning "he shall sin." These terms frame a pattern of repeated offense rather than a fixed numerical boundary.
The thread — This directive parallels Peter’s inquiry in Matthew 18:21 regarding the limits of forgiveness. It corresponds to Paul’s charge to clothe oneself with compassion in Colossians 3:12 and the command to care for an enemy in Romans 12:20.
Why it lands — The text commands forgiveness whenever repentance is declared, irrespective of how frequently it occurs. It requires the reader to drop transactional accounting and extend mercy without establishing a maximum count.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
- Matthew 18:21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
- Romans 12:20 On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
- Matthew 6:14 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
- Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
- Matthew 5:44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
- Matthew 18:16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’
- Matthew 18:35 That is how My heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”
- 1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
- Ephesians 4:31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice.