Parable of the Master and Servant (Luke 17:7–10): Meaning and Lessons

Some of Jesus' parables are long and dramatic. This one is four verses and almost blunt. It describes an ordinary scene from farm life to correct one of the most common spiritual dangers: thinking that our good works make God owe us something. Bible readers know it by several names — the parable of the master and servant, the unprofitable servants, or the servant's duty.

Many parables include a master and his servants. This article covers Luke 17:7–10. For the others, see our complete list of the parables of Jesus.

The parable of the master and servant: Luke 17:7–10

But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? 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? 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.Luke 17:7–10 (KJV)

The parable appears only in Luke's Gospel.

The setting: “Increase our faith”

Jesus was on His final journey to Jerusalem, teaching His disciples. In Luke 17:1–4 He told them to avoid causing others to stumble and to forgive a brother who repents — even seven times in one day. Overwhelmed, the apostles said, “Increase our faith” (17:5).

Jesus replied that even faith as small as a mustard seed could uproot a sycamine tree (17:6). Then, right away, He told this parable. Having just spoken about the power of faith, He guarded them against the pride that can come with spiritual success. Faith, forgiveness and obedience are not trophies; they're simply what servants of God do.

Understanding the picture

In Jesus' day, a household servant on a small farm did everything: plowed in the morning, tended animals in the afternoon and served the evening meal. When he came in from the field, no one expected the master to say, “Sit down, I'll serve you.” The servant prepared dinner first, then ate. The master didn't throw him a thank-you party for doing his normal work.

Jesus' listeners would have nodded along: “Of course not.” That's the point of the question, “Doth he thank that servant…? I trow not” (“I think not”). Then Jesus applies it: “So likewise ye.”

What the parable means

We belong to God

The relationship is master and servant. God isn't our employee or business partner. He is Lord, and we belong to Him (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). Obedience isn't an optional extra we offer Him; it's what we owe.

Obedience doesn't earn special credit

Even if we did “all those things which are commanded,” we would only have done our duty. And of course, none of us does everything God commands. If perfect obedience wouldn't put God in our debt, our imperfect obedience certainly can't. This cuts against any idea that we can earn our way into God's favor (Romans 4:4–5; Ephesians 2:8–9).

“We are unprofitable servants”

The Greek word translated “unprofitable” (achreioi) here carries the sense of “unworthy” or “deserving no special merit,” and many modern translations render it that way. It isn't saying that God's servants are useless or that their work doesn't matter. It's an attitude of humility: “We've only done what we were supposed to do.”

Isn't this picture of God a little cold?

It's important to read this parable alongside the rest of Jesus' teaching. Jesus uses the everyday master-servant relationship to make one specific point about our attitude — not to describe everything about how God treats us. In fact, in Luke 12:37 Jesus describes a master who does exactly what this master doesn't:

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.Luke 12:37 (KJV)

And Jesus Himself took a towel and washed His disciples' feet (John 13:4–5). He said, “I am among you as he that serveth” (Luke 22:27).

So the two pictures fit together. From our side, we serve without demanding reward or thanks. From God's side, He freely blesses and rewards His servants far beyond anything they deserve (Matthew 25:21). The parable humbles our pride; it doesn't limit God's generosity.

Other parables about masters and servants

Find each of these explained in our guide to the parables of Jesus.

Lessons from the parable of the master and servant

1. Serve God without seeking credit. Whether anyone notices or not, faithful service is simply our calling.
2. Guard against spiritual pride. Growing faith, answered prayers and fruitful ministry are gifts, not achievements.
3. Don't keep score with God. “I've done all this, so God owes me…” is the attitude this parable corrects.
4. Grace makes service joyful. We don't serve to be accepted; we serve because we've been accepted.
5. Keep going when no one says thank you. Much of life's service — at home, at work, at church — goes unseen. God sees (Matthew 6:4).

Questions for reflection

• Do you ever feel God owes you something for your obedience? Why?
• How does this parable change the way you think about serving at church or at home?
• How do Luke 17:7–10 and Luke 12:37 work together in your understanding of God?

See also the parable of the sheep and the goats, where the righteous are surprised to learn their humble service was done for Christ.

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