Luke 14

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Chapter Overview

Luke 14 is a historical gospel chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of truth, salvation, redemption. Written during the late first century CE (c. 80-85 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Written when Christians needed to understand their place in the Roman world.

The chapter can be divided into several sections:

  1. Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
  2. Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
  3. Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
  4. Verses 21-35: Conclusion and application

This chapter is significant because it addresses timeless questions about faith, suffering, and divine purpose. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Luke and its broader place in the scriptural canon.

Jesus Heals a Man on the Sabbath

1 And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him. Resurrection: Luke 6:7, 11:37. Parallel theme: Luke 20:20, Psalms 37:32, 41:6, 62:4, Proverbs 23:7, Mark 3:2 +3

2 And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy.

3 And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day? Word: Luke 6:9, Matthew 12:10, Mark 3:4, John 7:23

4 And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go; Parallel theme: Matthew 22:46

5 And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day? Parallel theme: Luke 13:15

6 And they could not answer him again to these things. Parallel theme: Luke 20:40

The Parable of the Wedding Feast

7 And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them, Parallel theme: Luke 11:43, 20:46, Matthew 23:6, Philippians 2:3, 3 John 1:9

8 When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;

9 And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. Parallel theme: Proverbs 3:35, 11:2, 16:18

10 But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. Parallel theme: Proverbs 15:33

11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Parallel theme: Luke 18:14, Psalms 18:27, 138:6, Proverbs 18:12, 29:23, Isaiah 2:17, Matthew 23:12, James 4:6, 4:10, 1 Peter 5:5 +5

The Parable of the Great Banquet

12 Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. Parallel theme: Luke 1:53, Proverbs 14:20, 22:16, Matthew 5:46

13 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: Parallel theme: Luke 14:21, Deuteronomy 14:29, 16:14, Nehemiah 8:10, Proverbs 14:31, Isaiah 58:7, 58:10, Matthew 22:10, 1 Timothy 5:10, Hebrews 13:2 +5

14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrectionResurrection: ἀνάστασις (Anastasis). The Greek anastasis (ἀνάστασις) means resurrection—rising from death to life. Christ's resurrection is the 'firstfruits' (1 Corinthians 15:20), guaranteeing believers' future bodily resurrection and victory over death. of the just. Resurrection: John 5:29. Righteousness: Acts 24:15. Parallel theme: Proverbs 19:17, Matthew 6:4

15 And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdomKingdom: βασιλεία (Basileia). The Greek basileia (βασιλεία) means kingdom—both the realm ruled and the exercise of royal authority. The 'kingdom of God' is central to Jesus' teaching, representing God's saving rule breaking into history. of God. Kingdom: Luke 13:29, 22:30, Matthew 8:11. Blessing: Luke 12:37, Revelation 19:9. Parallel theme: Matthew 25:10

16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: Parallel theme: Revelation 3:20, 22:17

17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.

18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. Parallel theme: Luke 8:14, 18:24, Jeremiah 6:10, John 1:11, 5:40, 2 Timothy 4:4, 4:10, Hebrews 12:16 +3

19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.

20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. Parallel theme: Deuteronomy 24:5, 1 Corinthians 7:33

21 So that servant came, and shewed his lordLord: Κύριος (Kurios). The Greek Kurios (Κύριος) means 'lord' or 'master,' used both for human masters and divinely for God the Father and Jesus Christ. Its application to Jesus affirms His deity, as it translates YHWH in the Septuagint. these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. References Lord: 1 Samuel 2:8, Hebrews 2:3. Parallel theme: Luke 14:13, 14:24, Isaiah 35:6, Matthew 11:5, John 9:39, James 2:5 +3

22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. Parallel theme: John 14:2

23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. References Lord: 2 Corinthians 5:11. Parallel theme: Psalms 98:3, Acts 18:6, 28:28, Romans 10:18, 2 Corinthians 5:20, 6:1, Colossians 1:23, 1:28, 2 Timothy 4:2 +5

24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper. Parallel theme: Matthew 21:43, 22:8, John 3:19, 3:36, 8:24, Acts 13:46

The Cost of Discipleship

25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,

26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. Parallel theme: Deuteronomy 33:9, Matthew 10:37, John 12:25, Acts 20:24, Philippians 3:8, Revelation 12:11

27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. Cross: Matthew 10:38, Mark 10:21, John 19:17. Parallel theme: Matthew 13:21, Acts 14:22, 2 Timothy 1:12, 3:12 +2

28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Parallel theme: Luke 14:33, Proverbs 24:27, Matthew 8:20, 10:22, Acts 21:13

29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,

30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Parallel theme: Hebrews 6:11, 2 John 1:8

31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Kingdom: 1 Kings 20:11. Parallel theme: Proverbs 20:18, 25:8

32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. Peace: Acts 12:20

33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. Parallel theme: Luke 5:11, 5:28, 14:26, 2 Timothy 4:10

Salt Without Taste Is Worthless

34 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? Good: Matthew 5:13. Parallel theme: Colossians 4:6

35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Parallel theme: Matthew 11:15