Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.
because he did what he was told?
This phrase emphasizes obedience and duty. In the biblical context, obedience to God's commands is a recurring theme, as seen in Deuteronomy 11:1, where the Israelites are instructed to love and obey God. The servant's actions are not extraordinary but are simply fulfilling what is expected. This can be paralleled with the Christian life, where believers are called to obey God's commandments as a natural response to His authority and love, rather than for personal gain. The concept of doing one's duty without expectation of thanks is also reflected in Jesus' teaching in Luke 17:10, where He instructs His followers to view themselves as unworthy servants who have only done their duty.
- Luke 17:9 asks, “Does he thank the servant…?” The question expects a “no.” In the culture Jesus describes, a master is not obligated to express gratitude for ordinary service; the servant simply fulfills his role (Luke 17:7–8).
- This clarifies our place before God: even flawless obedience does not place Him in our debt (Romans 11:35; Acts 17:25).
- The reminder guards against pride. When we serve, we echo the humility of Job 35:7—God gains nothing that He did not already possess.
- The phrase underscores that the servant’s sole merit is doing his duty. Obedience is required, not optional (John 14:15; James 1:22).
- Jesus is sharpening the difference between grace and wages. Salvation is a gift (Ephesians 2:8-9); duty cannot purchase it.
- Even faithful service never outruns God’s grace (1 Corinthians 15:10). Any commendation we receive comes from His generosity, not from our performance.
- “What he was told” highlights command-based living. Our agenda yields to the Master’s will (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
- The servant obeys without negotiation; likewise, disciples accept Christ’s lordship without conditions (Luke 6:46).
- Micah 6:8 pictures such obedience as the essence of a godly life—doing justly, loving mercy, walking humbly.
- This attitude keeps us from entitlement. After all we accomplish, we still confess, “We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty” (Luke 17:10).
Luke 17:9 presses home the truth that God owes us nothing for simply doing what He commands. Our obedience, while essential, never earns His favor; it is the rightful response of servants saved by grace. Gratitude flows one way—from us to God—because every good we perform is already empowered by Him and ordered by His Word.
(9) Doth he thank that servant . .?--The words are spoken, of course, from the standpoint of the old relations between the master and the slave, not from that of those who recognise that master and slave are alike children of the same Father and servants of the same Master. In order to understand their bearing, we must remember how the subtle poison of self-righteousness was creeping in, even into the souls of the disciples, leading them to ask, "What shall we have therefore?" (Matthew 19:19), and to ask for high places in His kingdom (Matthew 20:21).Verses 9, 10. - Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. And for the loyal, patient, unwearied worker there must be no saying, "What shall we have therefore?" (Matthew 19:27). No spirit of self-complacency and of self-satisfaction must be allowed to brood over the faithful servant's thoughts. In much of the Lord's teaching at this period of his life the position of man as regards God seems to have been dwelt on. God is all; man is nothing. In God's great love is man's real treasure; man is simply a steward of some of God's possessions for a time; man is a servant whose duty it is to work ceaselessly for his Master, God. There are hints of great rewards reserved for the faithful steward in heaven, promises that a time should come when the unwearied servant should sit down and eat and drink in his Master's house; but these high guerdons were not earned, but were simply free, gracious gifts from the Divine Sovereign to his creatures who should try to do his will. This patient, unwearied toil; this deep sense of indebtedness to God who loves man with so intense, so strange a love; this feeling that we can never do enough for him, that when we have taxed all our energies to the utmost in his service, we have done little or nothing, and yet that all the while he is smiling on with his smile of indescribable love; - this is what will increase the disciples' faith, and only this. And in this way did the Lord reply to the disciples' prayer, "Increase our faith."