Luke Chapter 14 · Verse 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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐλθὼν
him come
G2064
ἐλθὼν
him come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
2 of 21
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτὸν
G846
αὐτὸν
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 21
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καλέσας
he that bade
G2564
καλέσας
he that bade
Strong's:
G2564
Word #:
7 of 21
to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)
ἐρεῖ
and say
G2046
ἐρεῖ
and say
Strong's:
G2046
Word #:
8 of 21
an alternate for g2036 in certain tenses; to utter, i.e., speak or say
Δὸς
Give
G1325
Δὸς
Give
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
10 of 21
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
τόπον
place
G5117
τόπον
place
Strong's:
G5117
Word #:
12 of 21
a spot (general in space, but limited by occupancy; whereas g5561 is a large but participle locality), i.e., location (as a position, home, tract, etc
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τότε
G5119
τότε
Strong's:
G5119
Word #:
14 of 21
the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)
μετ'
with
G3326
μετ'
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
16 of 21
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
Public shame was devastatingly powerful in honor-shame cultures. Being demoted at a feast would damage one's reputation and social standing permanently. Jesus uses this fear to motivate humility, but His deeper concern is spiritual—those who presume standing before God based on religious achievement, ethnic privilege, or moral performance will face ultimate shame at final judgment. The Pharisees epitomized this presumption, confident in their righteousness (Luke 18:9-14). Jesus consistently taught that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the fear of public shame motivate humility, and how does this relate to standing before God?
- What contemporary forms of presuming status before God exist (theological knowledge, ministry position, moral achievement)?
- How does this parable prepare the way for understanding justification by faith rather than works?
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus describes the consequence: '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.' The host arrives and publicly redirects you: 'Give this man place' (δὸς τούτῳ τόπον, dos toutō topon). The result is shame—'thou begin with shame' (τότε ἄρξῃ μετὰ αἰσχύνης, tote arxē meta aischynēs) 'to take the lowest room' (τὸν ἔσχατον τόπον κατέχειν, ton eschaton topon katechein). Public demotion multiplies humiliation. What began as self-promotion ends in disgrace. This illustrates the principle: 'whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased' (v. 11). The parable warns against presumption while pointing to deeper spiritual truth—those who claim righteousness based on merit will be rejected.