PrevLuke 14:15Next

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 14:15 mean?

Explanation

Luke 14:15 is a verse that captures a moment during a meal Jesus is attending at the home of a Pharisee.

One of the guests hears Jesus speaking about the kingdom of God and exclaims, "Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God." The statement reflects a common Jewish expectation that in the messianic age, there would be a great feast for God’s people.

The verse hints at a deeper spiritual meaning, suggesting that those who partake of the spiritual nourishment offered by God are indeed blessed. It can also be interpreted that the blessing extends to those who receive the teachings of Jesus and who will participate in the eternal life he offers.

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

During the time of Jesus, meals were significant social occasions which often included discussions on religious and theological topics. The Pharisees, a Jewish religious group, had expectations of a messianic banquet based on Old Testament prophecies.

This verse occurs in a larger section where Jesus is teaching on humility and the nature of the kingdom of God. Jesus uses the occasion to turn common expectations on their head, challenging social norms and religious assumptions.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, different Christian traditions have interpreted this verse in various ways.

Many see it as a foretaste of the "Marriage Supper of the Lamb" mentioned in Revelation, symbolizing eternal fellowship with God.

The Roman Catholic Church may interpret the "bread" as the Eucharist, a sacrament representing the body of Christ.

In Protestant theology, the emphasis might be on the spiritual nourishment provided by faith in Jesus Christ.

Liberation theology might highlight the inclusivity of the kingdom of God for the marginalized, as Jesus goes on to tell a parable about inviting the poor and outcast to the feast.

Practical Applications

In everyday life, this verse can be seen as an invitation to spiritual reflection and a call to live in anticipation of the kingdom of God.

It encourages believers to prioritize spiritual fulfillment over temporal satisfaction and to seek inclusivity, as God’s kingdom is open to all.

Christians might use this verse to examine their own readiness for God’s kingdom and reflect on how they can better embody Jesus’ teachings of love and humility.

Cross-References

Matthew 22:2-14 – The parable of the wedding banquet, which also touches on the theme of the kingdom of heaven being like a feast.
Revelation 19:9 – "Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb."
Isaiah 25:6 – The prophecy of a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine.

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the word for "eat" is φάγων (phagōn), which is a primary verb meaning to eat or consume.

The word for "bread" is ἄρτον (arton), which means bread but also food in a broader sense.

The phrase "kingdom of God" uses the term βασιλεία τοῦ Θεοῦ (basileia tou Theou), with a meaning that encompasses both the reign and realm of God.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The concept of a divine feast can be found in various cultures.

In ancient Greek mythology, the gods were often depicted feasting on ambrosia and nectar. In Norse mythology, Valhalla offered a nightly feast for fallen warriors. The Jewish expectation of a great messianic banquet has its roots in the Old Testament.

In a broader religious context, communal meals are often symbolic of fellowship and divine nourishment, as seen in various traditions, including Christianity’s Last Supper and the Eucharist.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific standpoint, the verse does not directly reflect scientific concepts but can be appreciated for its psychological implications.

The idea of a communal feast taps into the human need for social connection, and anticipation of future events (like the kingdom of God) can have a positive effect on psychological well-being.

Moreover, sharing meals has been fundamental to human society and culture since ancient times.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians have noted that this guest’s exclamation is both a proclamation of a blessed future hope and an indication of a common Jewish belief of the time.

Commentators often discuss the subsequent parable of the great banquet that Jesus tells (Luke 14:16-24) to elucidate the meaning of this verse.

They generally point to the fact that the verse serves as a segue into a teaching that stretches conventional expectations of who will participate in God’s kingdom, as Jesus shifts the focus from the assumed Jewish elite to a broader, more inclusive group.

Luke 14

Luke 14

What does Luke 14:15 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 14:15 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?