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Luke 14

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.

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

And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?

And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go;

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?

And they could not answer him again to these things.

And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them,

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;

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.

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.

For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

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.

But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:

And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.

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 kingdom of God.

Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:

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

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.

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

And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.

So that servant came, and shewed 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 hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.

And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.

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.

For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.

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

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.

And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

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

Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

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?

Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.

So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?

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.

What does Luke 14:10 mean?

Explanation

Luke 14:10 is part of a parable that Jesus told at a dinner he was attending, hosted by a leader of the Pharisees.

In this particular verse, Jesus is advising the guests on the principle of humility.

The "lowest room" symbolizes a position of modesty, while being asked to "go up higher" by the host signifies recognition and honor bestowed not by self-assertion but by the invitation of others.

Essentially, Jesus is teaching that one's humility will be rewarded with exaltation, while seeking self-promotion will ultimately lead to humiliation.

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Historical Context

During the time of Jesus, dinners and banquets were common social events that were laden with cultural significance.

Social status and honor were highly regarded in 1st-century Judean society.

The seating arrangements at such gatherings often reflected the hierarchical social order.

Jesus uses this setting and the cultural norms associated with it to illustrate a kingdom principle that contrasts with the conventional social dynamics of his day.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, this verse reflects several key themes:

Humility: It underscores the Christian virtue of humility, suggesting that God will exalt the humble.
Kingdom Ethics: Jesus often spoke about the values of the Kingdom of God, which frequently inverted worldly values.

This teaching is consistent with that theme.

Divine Judgment: Implicit in this teaching is the understanding that God, not humans, is the ultimate judge of character and honor.

Different theological traditions may emphasize certain aspects of this verse. For instance, a liberation theology perspective might focus on the preferential option for the lowly, while a Calvinist interpretation might see this as an illustration of God's sovereign choice in exalting the humble.

Practical Applications

In contemporary terms, Luke 14:10 can be applied in various ways:

Social Conduct: In social situations, individuals are encouraged to seek modest positions rather than striving for the spotlight.
Leadership: Leaders might reflect on this principle by prioritizing service over status.
Personal Development: Individuals might take this as an invitation to cultivate humility, with a trust that their worth will be recognized without self-promotion.

Cross-References

Matthew 23:12: "And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted."
James 4:10: "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up."
Proverbs 25:6-7: "Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men: For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen."

Language Study

The key phrase "sit down in the lowest room" comes from the Greek "κάτω πίσω καθοὺ" which literally translates to 'sit down at the last place.' The word "κάτω" (kato) means "down" or "lower" indicating a position of lowliness.

The word "ἐπάρθητι" (epartethi) meaning "be lifted up" or "be exalted," signifies the rise in status referred to by the host.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In many ancient cultures, including Roman and Jewish societies, banquets and feasts were occasions where social status was displayed and reinforced.

This teaching of Jesus was counter-cultural, promoting the idea of self-abasement over self-exaltation.

In other religious traditions, such as Buddhism, there are also calls to forsake ego and pride, which resonate with the humility expressed in this teaching.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, this verse might intersect with psychological understandings of altruism, ego, and social dominance.

Psychological studies often demonstrate that humility can lead to better social relationships and greater well-being.

In evolutionary terms, the concept of not seeking dominance could be seen as a strategy to foster cooperative behavior within groups.

Commentaries

Commentators have long reflected on this verse as a key lesson in Christian ethics:

John Calvin saw this as an admonition that our advancement should depend on God's mercy.
Matthew Henry emphasized the virtue of humility in honoring God and our neighbors.
William Barclay pointed to the practical wisdom in Jesus' advice, how it would save one from the embarrassment of being asked to give up a place of honor.

Moreover, contemporary scholars highlight the relevance of this teaching to modern Christian discipleship, in warning against the dangers of pride and the blessings associated with humility.

Luke 14

Luke 14

What does Luke 14:10 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Luke 14:10 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?