Luke 17 · Verse 5

Luke 17:5

And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.
Luke 17:5, King James Version

Luke 17:5 in other translations

BSBThe apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”
WEBThe apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”
ASVAnd the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.
YLTAnd the apostles said to the Lord, ‘Add to us faith;'
DARBYAnd the apostles said to the Lord, Give more faith to us.
BBEAnd the twelve said to the Lord, Make our faith greater.
WebsterAnd the apostles said to the Lord, Increase our faith.

What does Luke 17:5 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
5. Lord--(See on Lu 10:1). increase our faith--moved by the difficulty of avoiding and forgiving "offenses." This is the only instance in which a spiritual operation upon their souls was solicited of Christ by the Twelve; but a kindred and higher prayer had been offered before, by one with far fewer opportunities. (See on Mr 9:24.)

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 5. Increase our faith. This duty of forgiving offences seemed so difficult to the disciples that they strongly felt the need of an increase of faith. They felt that they were prone themselves to harbour resentments, and that it required an additional increase of true religion to enable them to comply with the requirements of Jesus. We may learn from this--

1st. That Jesus has the power of increasing the faith of his people. Strength comes from him, and especially strength to believe the gospel. Hence he is called the Author and Finisher of our faith, He 12:2.

2nd. The duty of forgiving offences is one of the most difficult duties of the Christian religion. It is so contrary to our natural feelings; it implies such elevation above the petty feelings of malice and revenge, and is so contrary to the received maxims of the world, which teach us to cherish rather than to forgive the memory of offences; that it is no wonder our Saviour dwells much on this duty, and so strenuously insists on it in order to our having evidence that our hearts have been changed. Some have thought that this prayer that he would increase their faith refers to the power of working miracles, and especially to the case recorded in Mt 17:16-20.

(d) "Increase our faith" He 12:2

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 5 Increase our faith - This work of pardoning every offense of every man, and that continually, seemed so difficult, even to the disciples themselves, that they saw, without an extraordinary degree of faith, they should never be able to keep this command. But some think that this and what follows relate to what Matthew has mentioned. Mat 17:19, Mat 17:20.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Luke 17:1-10

It is no abatement of their guilt by whom an offence comes, nor will it lessen their punishment that offences will come. Faith in God's pardoning mercy, will enable us to get over the greatest difficulties in the way of forgiving our brethren. As with God nothing is impossible, so all things are possible to him that can believe. Our Lord showed his disciples their need of deep humility. The Lord has such a property…

Read the full comment on Luke 17:1-10 →

Luke 17:5 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΚαὶKaiAndG2532
εἶπανeipansaidG2036
οἱhoitheG3588
ἀπόστολοιapostoloiapostlesG652
τῷtōto theG3588
κυρίῳ·kuriōLord;G2962
πρόσθεςprosthesdo addG4369
ἡμῖνhēminto usG3165
πίστιν.pistinfaith!G4102

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Luke 17:5

  • Mark 9:24

    And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

  • Hebrews 12:2

    Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

  • Philippians 4:13

    I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

  • 2 Corinthians 12:8-10

    For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:3

    We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;

  • Luke 7:13

    And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.

  • Mark 6:30

    And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.

  • 1 Peter 1:22-23

    Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Increase.
Mr 9:24; 2Co 12:8-10; Php 4:13; 2Th 1:3; Heb 12:2; 1Pe 1:22,23

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Luke 17:4

    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.

  • Luke 17:5

    And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.

  • Luke 17:6

    And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

Read all of Luke 17

Luke 17:5 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y dijeron los apóstoles al Señor: Auméntanos la fe.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et les apôtres dirent au Seigneur: Augmente-nous la foi.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und die Apostel sprachen zu dem Herrn: Vermehre uns den Glauben!
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Et dixerunt apostoli Domino: Adauge nobis fidem.