What is the meaning of Luke 17:5?

The apostles

• Luke identifies those speaking as “the apostles.” This is the inner circle of twelve men Jesus personally chose (Luke 6:13).

• Their title reminds us they had already witnessed miracles (Luke 9:1–6) and received direct teaching, yet they still sensed a need for greater faith.

• Their humility echoes other servants of God who recognized their insufficiency—think of Moses (Exodus 3:11–12) and Isaiah (Isaiah 6:5–8).

• Even mature believers are called to continual growth (2 Peter 1:5–8), so the apostles’ request encourages us to keep pressing forward.

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said

• The verb shows deliberate action. They did not merely think or wish; they voiced their need.

• Scripture consistently invites God’s people to verbalize dependence (Psalm 62:8; Philippians 4:6).

• Speaking up is an act of faith in itself—acknowledging God hears and answers (1 John 5:14–15).

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to the Lord

• They directed their plea “to the Lord,” recognizing Jesus’ divine authority (Matthew 28:18).

• The title “Lord” underscores His sovereignty over both physical and spiritual realms (Luke 8:24–25).

• Faith grows by drawing near to Christ, not by self-effort alone (John 15:4–5; Hebrews 12:2).

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“Increase

• The Greek verb (though we’re not doing lexical work) conveys adding or multiplying. They wanted more than a slight improvement.

• Faith can indeed be enlarged (2 Corinthians 10:15). Jesus affirms this in the next verse with the mustard seed illustration (Luke 17:6).

• God delights to supply what He commands (Mark 9:24; James 1:5).

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our faith!”

• Their concern is collective—“our” faith. Growth is a community pursuit (Hebrews 10:24–25).

• They weren’t asking for material gain but for the spiritual capacity to obey. The immediate context is Jesus’ hard teaching on forgiveness (Luke 17:3–4).

• True faith trusts God for the impossible, including forgiving repeatedly (Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13).

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summary

Luke 17:5 shows the apostles recognizing that the radical life Jesus describes—marked by relentless forgiveness and humble service—demands more faith than they currently possess. They openly ask their Lord, the only true source of faith, to multiply it within them. Their plea models humble dependence, communal concern, and confidence that Christ both commands and supplies the faith needed for obedient living.