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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 14:26 mean?

Explanation

Luke 14:26 contains one of the hard sayings of Jesus Christ, which can be perplexing when taken at face value.

The term "hate" in this context is not intended to be understood as an emotional aversion or malicious feeling towards one's family members. Rather, it is an idiomatic expression that suggests a preference of one value or commitment over another.

Therefore, the deeper meaning is about the cost of discipleship, emphasizing the degree to which a disciple must be devoted to Jesus above all else, even above one’s own family and life.

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Historical Context

This verse is a part of Jesus' teachings on the cost of discipleship, which Luke places in the travel narrative as Jesus is journeying to Jerusalem.

In the 1st century Jewish culture, family ties were extremely important; to prioritize anything above family would be shocking.

Through this teaching, Jesus confronts the cultural norms and presents the radical demand of total allegiance to Himself, superseding all other relationships.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, this verse confronts issues of idolatry, suggesting that nothing should take precedence over one’s relationship with Christ.

In contrast to other religious systems that might accommodate a variety of loyalties, Christianity, as represented here by Jesus, demands an undivided commitment.

The verse also speaks to the concept of 'agape' love, which is a selfless, sacrificial love that seeks the well-being of others. In this light, hating one's family is not about ill will but about a hierarchy of love that places God at the very top.

Practical Applications

In contemporary application, this verse challenges individuals to examine their priorities and encourages them to place their spiritual commitments above societal or familial expectations.

It can lead to serious introspection about where one's ultimate loyalty lies and whether it aligns with the values of their faith.

Cross-References

Matthew 10:37 - "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me."
Matthew 16:24 - "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."
Philippians 3:8 - "Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ."

Language Study

The Greek word translated as "hate" (miseo) in this verse can mean to love less, or to renounce one relationship in favor of another.

It is a comparative term rather than the absolute emotional hatred suggested by the English word.

Therefore, understanding the original language nuances helps to comprehend the figurative, rather than literal, sense of the passage.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In many ancient cultures, including the Jewish culture of Jesus' time, loyalty to family and tribe was a defining value.

By comparison, other religious systems may not have required such a strict prioritization of religious identity over family bonds.

Buddha, for instance, left his family to find enlightenment.

His actions could be seen as a parallel yet distinct approach to prioritizing spiritual enlightenment over familial ties.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientifically, one might explore the psychological and sociological factors involved in prioritizing beliefs or values over close familial relationships. Research on belief systems and personal identity can provide insight into the social and psychological ramifications of such decisions.

Commentaries

Various biblical commentators have offered explanations for this verse that align with the interpretive keys given above.

Many emphasize that this "hate" is hyperbolic, used to illustrate the radical demand of prioritizing Christ above all else.

Others point out that the teaching is designed to provoke self-examination and a reordering of one's life around the teachings of Jesus.

This statement is often cited as an example of the challenging and countercultural nature of Jesus' teachings.

Luke 14

Luke 14

What does Luke 14:26 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 14:26 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?