American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
Luke 14
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.
Reference
Parallel theme
Mark 3:2
Psalm 41:6
Psalm 62:4
Luke 20:20
Psalm 37:32
Proverbs 23:7
Resurrection
Luke 11:37
Luke 6:7
2
And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy.
3
And Jesus answering spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?
Reference
4
And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go;
Reference
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?
Reference
Parallel theme
Luke 13:15
6
And they could not answer him again to these things.
Reference
Parallel theme
Luke 20:40
7
And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying to them.
Reference
8
When you are bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honorable man than you be bidden of him;
9
And he that bade you and him come and say to you, Give this man place; and you begin with shame to take the lowest room.
Reference
10
But when you are bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade you comes, he may say to you, Friend, go up higher: then shall you have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with you.
Reference
Parallel theme
Proverbs 15:33
11
For whoever exalts himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted.
Reference
12
Then said he also to him that bade him, When you make a dinner or a supper, call not your friends, nor your brothers, neither your kinsmen, nor your rich neighbors; lest they also bid you again, and a recompense be made you.
Reference
14
And you shall be blessed; for they cannot recompense you: for you shall be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
Reference
15
And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said to him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.
Reference
Blessing
Revelation 19:9
Luke 12:37
Kingdom
Luke 13:29
Luke 22:30
Matthew 8:11
Parallel theme
Matthew 25:10
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 to him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray you have me excused.
Reference
19
And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray you have me excused.
21
So that servant came, and showed his lord 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 here the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
Reference
Parallel theme
Luke 14:13
Matthew 11:5
James 2:5
Isaiah 35:6
John 9:39
Luke 14:24
References Lord
Hebrews 2:3
1 Samuel 2:8
22
And the servant said, Lord, it is done as you have commanded, and yet there is room.
Reference
Parallel theme
John 14:2
23
And the lord said to the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
Reference
Parallel theme
Colossians 1:28
2 Corinthians 5:20
2 Timothy 4:2
Acts 18:6
Acts 28:28
Colossians 1:23
Psalm 98:3
Romans 10:18
2 Corinthians 6:1
References Lord
2 Corinthians 5:11
25
And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said to them,
26
If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
Reference
Parallel theme
Matthew 10:37
John 12:25
Philippians 3:8
Acts 20:24
Revelation 12:11
Deuteronomy 33:9
27
And whoever does not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
Reference
Cross
Matthew 10:38
Mark 10:21
John 19:17
Parallel theme
Acts 14:22
2 Timothy 3:12
Matthew 13:21
2 Timothy 1:12
28
For which of you, intending to build a tower, sits not down first, and counts the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
Reference
29
Lest haply, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
31
Or what king, going to make war against another king, sits not down first, and consults whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that comes against him with twenty thousand?
Reference
32
Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends an ambassador, and desires conditions of peace.
Reference
Peace
Acts 12:20
33
So likewise, whoever he be of you that forsakes not all that he has, he cannot be my disciple.
Reference
35
It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that has ears to hear, let him hear.
Reference
Parallel theme
Matthew 11:15
Summary of Luke 14
Luke 14 focuses on compassion, humility, generosity, God's invitation, the cost of discipleship, and the danger of allowing ordinary priorities to become excuses for rejecting God's kingdom.
Jesus begins at a meal in the house of a prominent Pharisee, where He heals a man suffering from swelling on the Sabbath and challenges the religious leaders to recognize that mercy and restoration are consistent with God's purposes, even when rigid interpretations of religious rules might suggest otherwise.
He then observes guests competing for places of honor and uses the situation to teach that those who exalt themselves will be humbled, while those who humble themselves will be exalted, challenging the ancient culture of honor and social status and establishing humility as a fundamental value of God's kingdom.
Jesus also challenges the host's approach to hospitality, explaining that people should not invite only friends, relatives, and wealthy neighbors who can repay them, but should also welcome the poor, disabled, blind, and lame, because genuine generosity gives without expecting an immediate social or financial return.
The teaching leads into the parable of the great banquet, where many invited guests refuse to attend because of their land, agricultural business, and marriage, illustrating how even legitimate responsibilities can become excuses when they are allowed to take priority over God's invitation.
When the original guests refuse, the master sends his servant to invite the poor and marginalized, and eventually people from the roads and surrounding areas are brought in until the banquet is filled, emphasizing that God's invitation is generous and reaches people who may have been overlooked or excluded by society.
Yet the parable also contains a serious warning because those who reject the invitation do not participate in the banquet, demonstrating that God's generosity does not remove human responsibility and that receiving an invitation is not the same as accepting it.
As large crowds follow Jesus, He makes the demands of discipleship unmistakably clear, explaining that loyalty to Him must be greater than loyalty to even the closest family relationships and that anyone who follows Him must be prepared to carry his cross, meaning to accept sacrifice, suffering, rejection, and whatever cost genuine discipleship requires.
Jesus then gives the illustrations of the unfinished tower and the king preparing for war, both teaching the same basic principle: people should carefully consider the cost before committing themselves, because following Jesus is not simply an emotional decision made during a moment of enthusiasm but a lifelong commitment requiring perseverance and surrender.
The chapter ends with the image of salt losing its usefulness, warning that disciples must retain the distinctive character of their calling rather than becoming spiritually ineffective.
Historically, the events belong to the 1st century AD, during Jesus' ministry around AD 28–30, as He was traveling toward Jerusalem. The Sabbath controversies reflect first-century Jewish religious practice, while the banquet imagery reflects the importance of social status, hospitality, honor, and reciprocal relationships in ancient Mediterranean culture.
The reference to carrying a cross has particular historical significance because crucifixion was a Roman execution method used during this period, making Jesus' metaphor far more shocking to His original audience than it may initially sound to modern readers.
Luke 14 ultimately teaches that God's kingdom welcomes the humble and marginalized, but entering it requires a genuine response, while following Jesus requires putting Him above status, possessions, relationships, comfort, and personal ambition, and remaining faithful even when discipleship becomes costly.
Jesus begins at a meal in the house of a prominent Pharisee, where He heals a man suffering from swelling on the Sabbath and challenges the religious leaders to recognize that mercy and restoration are consistent with God's purposes, even when rigid interpretations of religious rules might suggest otherwise.
He then observes guests competing for places of honor and uses the situation to teach that those who exalt themselves will be humbled, while those who humble themselves will be exalted, challenging the ancient culture of honor and social status and establishing humility as a fundamental value of God's kingdom.
Jesus also challenges the host's approach to hospitality, explaining that people should not invite only friends, relatives, and wealthy neighbors who can repay them, but should also welcome the poor, disabled, blind, and lame, because genuine generosity gives without expecting an immediate social or financial return.
The teaching leads into the parable of the great banquet, where many invited guests refuse to attend because of their land, agricultural business, and marriage, illustrating how even legitimate responsibilities can become excuses when they are allowed to take priority over God's invitation.
When the original guests refuse, the master sends his servant to invite the poor and marginalized, and eventually people from the roads and surrounding areas are brought in until the banquet is filled, emphasizing that God's invitation is generous and reaches people who may have been overlooked or excluded by society.
Yet the parable also contains a serious warning because those who reject the invitation do not participate in the banquet, demonstrating that God's generosity does not remove human responsibility and that receiving an invitation is not the same as accepting it.
As large crowds follow Jesus, He makes the demands of discipleship unmistakably clear, explaining that loyalty to Him must be greater than loyalty to even the closest family relationships and that anyone who follows Him must be prepared to carry his cross, meaning to accept sacrifice, suffering, rejection, and whatever cost genuine discipleship requires.
Jesus then gives the illustrations of the unfinished tower and the king preparing for war, both teaching the same basic principle: people should carefully consider the cost before committing themselves, because following Jesus is not simply an emotional decision made during a moment of enthusiasm but a lifelong commitment requiring perseverance and surrender.
The chapter ends with the image of salt losing its usefulness, warning that disciples must retain the distinctive character of their calling rather than becoming spiritually ineffective.
Historically, the events belong to the 1st century AD, during Jesus' ministry around AD 28–30, as He was traveling toward Jerusalem. The Sabbath controversies reflect first-century Jewish religious practice, while the banquet imagery reflects the importance of social status, hospitality, honor, and reciprocal relationships in ancient Mediterranean culture.
The reference to carrying a cross has particular historical significance because crucifixion was a Roman execution method used during this period, making Jesus' metaphor far more shocking to His original audience than it may initially sound to modern readers.
Luke 14 ultimately teaches that God's kingdom welcomes the humble and marginalized, but entering it requires a genuine response, while following Jesus requires putting Him above status, possessions, relationships, comfort, and personal ambition, and remaining faithful even when discipleship becomes costly.