Luke 17:5-6
Narrative Lectionary
5 The apostlesA said to the Lord,B “IncreaseC our faith!”D
A “apostles” = apostolos. From apostello (to send, send away, send forth as a messenger, to commission); {from apo (from, away from) + stello (to set, arrange, prepare, provide for); {probably from histemi (to stand, place, set up, establish, stand firm)}}. This is a messenger – someone sent out on a mission as an envoy or delegate. It can also refer to someone set at liberty. Generally, this is a messenger who is meant to be a representative of the one who sent them. They are thus, set apart on a mission literally or figuratively.
B “Lord” = Kurios. From kuros (authority, supremacy). This is a respectful address meaning master or sir. It refers to one who has control or power greater than one’s own. So, it was also applied to God and Jesus as Master or Lord.
C “increase” = prostithemi. 18x in NT. From pros (at, to, toward, with) + tithemi (to put, place, set, fix, establish in a literal or figurative sense; properly, this is placing something in a passive or horizontal position). This is to add, place to, bring together for a reason, or add up.
D “faith” = pistis. From peitho (to have confidence, urge, be persuaded, agree, assure, believe, have confidence, trust). This is less about knowing, believing, and repeating a list of doctrines then it is about trusting God. Faith means listening to God and seeking to live a holy life even (and especially) when we don’t understand how everything works or fits together. Faith is about being faithful (trusting and doing) rather than being all knowing.
6 The Lord replied, “If you hadE faith the size of a mustardF seed,G you could say to this mulberry tree,H
E “had” = echo. This is to have, hold, possess.
F “mustard” = sinapi. 5x in NT. Perhaps from sinomai (to hurt or sting). This is a mustard plant.
G “seed” = kokkos. 7x in NT. This is grain, kernel, or seed.
H “mulberry tree” = sukaminos. 1x in NT. From Hebrew shiqmah (a sycamore tree or its fruit; perhaps the root of the word sycamore) OR related to sukomorea (sycamore, fig mulberry); {from sukon (fig) + moron (black mulberry)}. This is a black mulberry or sycamine tree. It has black berries and has some medical applications.
‘Be uprootedI and plantedJ in the sea,’K and it would obeyL you.
I “be uprooted” = ekrizoo. 4x in NT. From ek (from, from out of) + rhizoo (to plant, take root, establish, become stable); {from rhiza (a root literally or figuratively; the root of what comes from it – shoot, source, descendant)}. This is to pull out by something’s roots or to root out.
J “planted” = phuteuo. 11x in NT. From phuton (a plant) OR from the base of phuo (to grow, produce, spring up; perhaps from the sense of puff or blow – to swell up; hence, to germinate; to grow literally or figuratively). This is plant or implant. Figuratively, this word is used for Christian teaching.
K “sea” = thalassa. Perhaps from hals (sea, salt, a boy of saltwater) or halas (salt; can be figurative for prudence). This is the sea, a lake, or seashore.
L “obey” = hupakouo. From hupo (by, under, about, subordinate to) + akouo (listen, hear, understand through hearing). This is to listen, to attend to, or obey. It is acting subordinate to one who speaks – heeding a command or authority.
Image credit: “Lone Tree of Lake Wanaka, New Zealand” by johnlsl, 2019.
