17 And G2532 sent G649 his G846 servant G1401 at supper G1173 time G5610 to say G2036 to them that were bidden, G2564 Come; G2064 for G3754 all things G3956 are G2076 now G2235 ready. G2092
And G2532 when he had called G4341 unto him his G846 twelve G1427 disciples, G3101 he gave G1325 them G846 power G1849 against unclean G169 spirits, G4151 to G5620 cast G1544 them G846 out, G1544 and G2532 to heal G2323 all manner G3956 of sickness G3554 and G2532 all manner G3956 of disease. G3119 Now G1161 the names G3686 of the twelve G1427 apostles G652 are G2076 these; G5023 The first, G4413 Simon, G4613 who G3588 is called G3004 Peter, G4074 and G2532 Andrew G406 his G846 brother; G80 James G2385 the son of G3588 Zebedee, G2199 and G2532 John G2491 his G846 brother; G80 Philip, G5376 and G2532 Bartholomew; G918 Thomas, G2381 and G2532 Matthew G3156 the publican; G5057 James G2385 the son of G3588 Alphaeus, G256 and G2532 Lebbaeus, G3002 whose surname was G1941 Thaddaeus; G2280 Simon G4613 the Canaanite, G2581 and G2532 Judas G2455 Iscariot, G2469 who G3588 also G2532 betrayed G3860 him. G846
Wisdom H2454 hath builded H1129 her house, H1004 she hath hewn out H2672 her seven H7651 pillars: H5982 She hath killed H2873 her beasts; H2874 she hath mingled H4537 her wine; H3196 she hath also furnished H6186 her table. H7979 She hath sent forth H7971 her maidens: H5291 she crieth H7121 upon H1610 the highest places H4791 of the city, H7176 Whoso is simple, H6612 let him turn in H5493 hither: as for him that wanteth H2638 understanding, H3820 she saith H559 to him, Come, H3212 eat H3898 of my bread, H3899 and drink H8354 of the wine H3196 which I have mingled. H4537
G1161 In G1722 those G1565 days G2250 came G3854 John G2491 the Baptist, G910 preaching G2784 in G1722 the wilderness G2048 of Judaea, G2449 And G2532 saying, G3004 Repent ye: G3340 for G1063 the kingdom G932 of heaven G3772 is at hand. G1448 For G1063 this G3778 is he G2076 that was spoken G4483 of by G5259 the prophet G4396 Esaias, G2268 saying, G3004 The voice G5456 of one crying G994 in G1722 the wilderness, G2048 Prepare ye G2090 the way G3598 of the Lord, G2962 make G4160 his G846 paths G5147 straight. G2117 And G1161 the same G846 John G2491 had G2192 his G846 raiment G1742 of G575 camel's G2574 hair, G2359 and G2532 a leathern G1193 girdle G2223 about G4012 his G846 loins; G3751 and G1161 his G846 meat G5160 was G2258 locusts G200 and G2532 wild G66 honey. G3192 Then G5119 went out G1607 to G4314 him G846 Jerusalem, G2414 and G2532 all G3956 Judaea, G2449 and G2532 all G3956 the region round about G4066 Jordan, G2446 And G2532 were baptized G907 of G5259 him G846 in G1722 Jordan, G2446 confessing G1843 their G846 sins. G266 But G1161 when he saw G1492 many G4183 of the Pharisees G5330 and G2532 Sadducees G4523 come G2064 to G1909 his G846 baptism, G908 he said G2036 unto them, G846 O generation G1081 of vipers, G2191 who G5101 hath warned G5263 you G5213 to flee G5343 from G575 the wrath G3709 to come? G3195 Bring forth G4160 therefore G3767 fruits G2590 meet G514 for repentance: G3341 And G2532 think G1380 not G3361 to say G3004 within G1722 yourselves, G1438 We have G2192 Abraham G11 to our father: G3962 for G1063 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 that G3754 God G2316 is able G1410 of G1537 these G5130 stones G3037 to raise up G1453 children G5043 unto Abraham. G11 And G1161 now G2235 also G2532 the axe G513 is laid G2749 unto G4314 the root G4491 of the trees: G1186 therefore G3767 every G3956 tree G1186 which bringeth G4160 not G3361 forth G4160 good G2570 fruit G2590 is hewn down, G1581 and G2532 cast G906 into G1519 the fire. G4442 I G1473 indeed G3303 baptize G907 you G5209 with G1722 water G5204 unto G1519 repentance: G3341 but G1161 he that cometh G2064 after G3694 me G3450 is G2076 mightier than G2478 I, G3450 whose G3739 shoes G5266 I am G1510 not G3756 worthy G2425 to bear: G941 he G846 shall baptize G907 you G5209 with G1722 the Holy G40 Ghost, G4151 and G2532 with fire: G4442 Whose G3739 fan G4425 is in G1722 his G846 hand, G5495 and G2532 he will throughly purge G1245 his G846 floor, G257 and G2532 gather G4863 his G846 wheat G4621 into G1519 the garner; G596 but G1161 he will burn up G2618 the chaff G892 with unquenchable G762 fire. G4442
All things G3956 are delivered G3860 unto me G3427 of G5259 my G3450 Father: G3962 and G2532 no man G3762 knoweth G1921 the Son, G5207 but G1508 the Father; G3962 neither G3761 knoweth G1921 any man G5100 the Father, G3962 save G1508 the Son, G5207 and he G2532 to G3739 whomsoever G1437 the Son G5207 will G1014 reveal G601 him. Come G1205 unto G4314 me, G3165 all G3956 ye that labour G2872 and G2532 are heavy laden, G5412 and I G2504 will give G373 you G5209 rest. G373 Take G142 my G3450 yoke G2218 upon G1909 you, G5209 and G2532 learn G3129 of G575 me; G1700 for G3754 I am G1510 meek G4235 and G2532 lowly G5011 in heart: G2588 and G2532 ye shall find G2147 rest G372 unto your G5216 souls. G5590
And G2532 sent forth G649 his G846 servants G1401 to call G2564 them that were bidden G2564 to G1519 the wedding: G1062 and G2532 they would G2309 not G3756 come. G2064 Again, G3825 he sent forth G649 other G243 servants, G1401 saying, G3004 Tell G2036 them which are bidden, G2564 Behold, G2400 I have prepared G2090 my G3450 dinner: G712 my G3450 oxen G5022 and G2532 my fatlings G4619 are killed, G2380 and G2532 all things G3956 are ready: G2092 come G1205 unto G1519 the marriage. G1062
As G5613 it is written G1125 in G1722 the book G976 of the words G3056 of Esaias G2268 the prophet, G4396 saying, G3004 The voice G5456 of one crying G994 in G1722 the wilderness, G2048 Prepare ye G2090 the way G3598 of the Lord, G2962 make G4160 his G846 paths G5147 straight. G2117 Every G3956 valley G5327 shall be G2071 filled, G4137 and G2532 every G3956 mountain G3735 and G2532 hill G1015 shall be brought low; G5013 and G2532 the crooked G4646 shall be made G1519 straight, G2117 and G2532 the rough G5138 ways G3598 shall be made G1519 smooth; G3006 And G2532 all G3956 flesh G4561 shall see G3700 the salvation G4992 of God. G2316
Then G1161 he called G4779 his G846 twelve G1427 disciples G3101 together, G4779 and G2532 gave G1325 them G846 power G1411 and authority G1849 over G1909 all G3956 devils, G1140 and G2532 to cure G2323 diseases. G3554 And G2532 he sent G649 them G846 to preach G2784 the kingdom G932 of God, G2316 and G2532 to heal G2390 the sick. G770 And G2532 he said G2036 unto G4314 them, G846 Take G142 nothing G3367 for G1519 your journey, G3598 neither G3383 staves, G4464 nor G3383 scrip, G4082 neither G3383 bread, G740 neither G3383 money; G694 neither G3383 have G2192 two G1417 coats G5509 apiece. G303 And G2532 whatsoever G3739 G302 house G3614 ye enter G1525 into, G1519 there G1563 abide, G3306 and G2532 thence G1564 depart. G1831 And G2532 whosoever G3745 G302 will G1209 not G3361 receive G1209 you, G5209 when ye go G1831 out of G575 that G1565 city, G4172 shake off G660 the very G2532 dust G2868 from G575 your G5216 feet G4228 for G1519 a testimony G3142 against G1909 them. G846
G1161 After G3326 these things G5023 the Lord G2962 appointed G322 other G2087 seventy G1440 also, G2532 and G2532 sent G649 them G846 two G303 and two G1417 before G4253 his G846 face G4383 into G1519 every G3956 city G4172 and G2532 place, G5117 whither G3757 G3739 he himself G846 would G3195 come. G2064 Therefore G3767 said he G3004 unto G4314 them, G846 The harvest G2326 truly G3303 is great, G4183 but G1161 the labourers G2040 are few: G3641 pray ye G1189 therefore G3767 the Lord G2962 of the harvest, G2326 that G3704 he would send forth G1544 labourers G2040 into G1519 his G846 harvest. G2326 Go your ways: G5217 behold, G2400 I G1473 send G649 you G5209 forth G649 as G5613 lambs G704 among G1722 G3319 wolves. G3074 Carry G941 neither G3361 purse, G905 nor G3361 scrip, G4082 nor G3366 shoes: G5266 and G2532 salute G782 no man G3367 by G2596 the way. G3598 And G1161 into G1519 whatsoever G3739 G302 house G3614 ye enter, G1525 first G4412 say, G3004 Peace G1515 be to this G5129 house. G3624 And G2532 if G1437 G3303 the son G5207 of peace G1515 be G5600 there, G1563 your G5216 peace G1515 shall rest G1879 upon G1909 it: G846 if not, G1490 it shall turn G344 to G1909 you G5209 again. G344 And G1161 in G1722 the same G846 house G3614 remain, G3306 eating G2068 and G2532 drinking G4095 such things as G3844 they G846 give: G3844 for G1063 the labourer G2040 is G2076 worthy G514 of his G846 hire. G3408 Go G3327 not G3361 from G1537 house G3614 to G1519 house. G3614 And G2532 into G1519 whatsoever G1161 G3739 G302 city G4172 ye enter, G1525 and G2532 they receive G1209 you, G5209 eat such things G2068 as are set before G3908 you: G5213 And G2532 heal G2323 the sick G772 that are therein, G1722 G846 and G2532 say G3004 unto them, G846 The kingdom G932 of God G2316 is come nigh G1448 unto G1909 you. G5209 But G1161 into G1519 whatsoever G3739 G302 city G4172 ye enter, G1525 and G2532 they receive G1209 you G5209 not, G3361 go your ways out G1831 into G1519 the streets G4113 of the same, G846 and say, G2036 Even G2532 the very dust G2868 of G1537 your G5216 city, G4172 which G3588 cleaveth G2853 on us, G2254 we do wipe off G631 against you: G5213 notwithstanding G4133 be ye sure G1097 of this, G5124 that G3754 the kingdom G932 of God G2316 is come nigh G1448 unto G1909 you. G5209 But G1161 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 that G3754 it shall be G2071 more tolerable G414 in G1722 that G1565 day G2250 for Sodom, G4670 than G2228 for that G1565 city. G4172
Then G1161 Peter G4074 said G5346 unto G4314 them, G846 Repent, G3340 and G2532 be baptized G907 every one G1538 of you G5216 in G1909 the name G3686 of Jesus G2424 Christ G5547 for G1519 the remission G859 of sins, G266 and G2532 ye shall receive G2983 the gift G1431 of the Holy G40 Ghost. G4151 For G1063 the promise G1860 is G2076 unto you, G5213 and G2532 to your G5216 children, G5043 and G2532 to all G3956 that are afar off, G1519 G3112 even as many as G3745 the Lord G2962 our G2257 God G2316 shall call. G302 G4341
Yea, G2532 and G1161 all G3956 the prophets G4396 from G575 Samuel G4545 and G2532 those that follow after, G2517 as many as G3745 have spoken, G2980 have G4293 likewise G2532 foretold G4293 of these G5025 days. G2250 Ye G5210 are G2075 the children G5207 of the prophets, G4396 and G2532 of the covenant G1242 which G3739 God G2316 made G1303 with G4314 our G2257 fathers, G3962 saying G3004 unto G4314 Abraham, G11 And G2532 in thy G4675 seed G4690 shall G1757 all G3956 the kindreds G3965 of the earth G1093 be blessed. G1757 Unto you G5213 first G4412 God, G2316 having raised up G450 his G846 Son G3816 Jesus, G2424 sent G649 him G846 to bless G2127 you, G5209 in G1722 turning away G654 every one G1538 of you G5216 from G575 his iniquities. G4189
Be it G2077 known G1110 unto you G5213 therefore, G3767 men G435 and brethren, G80 that G3754 through G1223 this man G5127 is preached G2605 unto you G5213 the forgiveness G859 of sins: G266 And G2532 by G1722 him G5129 all G3956 that believe G4100 are justified G1344 from G575 all things, G3956 from which G3739 ye could G1410 not G3756 be justified G1344 by G1722 the law G3551 of Moses. G3475
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Luke 14
Commentary on Luke 14 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 14
Lu 14:1-24. Healing of a Dropsical Man, and Manifold Teachings at a Sabbath Feast.
2. man before him—not one of the company, since this was apparently before the guests sat down, and probably the man came in hope of a cure, though not expressly soliciting it [De Wette].
3-6. (See on Mt 12:11, 12).
7-11. a parable—showing that His design was not so much to inculcate mere politeness or good manners, as underneath this to teach something deeper (Lu 14:11).
chief rooms—principal seats, in the middle part of the couch on which they reclined at meals, esteemed the most honorable.
8. wedding—and seating thyself at the wedding feast. Our Lord avoids the appearance of personality by this delicate allusion to a different kind of entertainment than this of his host [Bengel].
9. the lowest—not a lower merely [Bengel].
with shame—"To be lowest is only ignominious to him who affects the highest" [Bengel].
10. Friend—said to the modest guest only, not the proud one (Lu 14:9) [Bengel].
worship—honor. The whole of this is but a reproduction of Pr 25:6, 7. But it was reserved for the matchless Teacher to utter articulately, and apply to the regulation of the minutest features of social life, such great laws of the Kingdom of God, as that of Lu 14:11.
11. whosoever, &c.—couching them in a chaste simplicity and proverbial terseness of style which makes them "apples of gold in a setting of silver." (See on Lu 18:14).
12-14. call not thy friends—Jesus certainly did not mean us to dispense with the duties of ordinary fellowship, but, remitting these to their proper place, inculcates what is better [Bengel].
lest … a recompense be given thee—a fear the world is not afflicted with [Bengel]. The meaning, however, is that no exercise of principle is involved in it, as selfishness itself will suffice to prompt to it (Mt 5:46, 47).
13. call the poor—"Such God Himself calls" (Lu 14:21) [Bengel].
14. blessed—acting from disinterested, god-like compassion for the wretched.
15-24. when one … heard … he said, Blessed, &c.—As our Lord's words seemed to hold forth the future "recompense" under the idea of a great Feast, the thought passes through this man's mind, how blessed they would be who should be honored to sit down to it. Our Lord's reply is in substance this: "The great Feast is prepared already; the invitations are issued, but declined; the feast, notwithstanding, shall not want abundance of guests; but not one of its present contemners—who shall yet come to sue for admission—shall be allowed to taste of it." This shows what was lacking in the seemingly pious exclamation of this man. It was Balaam's, "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his" (Nu 23:10), without any anxiety about living his life; fondly wishing that all were right with him at last, while all heedless of the precious present.
16. a great supper—(Compare Isa 25:6).
bade many—historically, the Jews (see on Mt 22:3); generally, those within the pale of professed discipleship.
17. supper-time … all now ready—pointing undoubtedly to the now ripening preparations for the great Gospel call. (See on Mt 22:4.)
18. all began to make excuse—(Compare Mt 22:5). Three excuses, given as specimens of the rest, answer to "the care of this world" (Lu 14:18), "the deceitfulness of riches" (Lu 14:19), and "the pleasures of this life" (Lu 14:20), which "choke the word" (Mt 13:22 and Lu 8:14). Each differs from the other, and each has its own plausibility, but all come to the same result: "We have other things to attend to, more pressing just now." Nobody is represented as saying, I will not come; nay, all the answers imply that but for certain things they would come, and when these are out of the way they will come. So it certainly is in the case intended, for the last words clearly imply that the refusers will one day become petitioners.
21. came, and showed, &c.—saying as in Isa 53:1. "It is the part of ministers to report to the Lord in their prayers the compliance or refusal of their hearers" [Bengel].
angry—in one sense a gracious word, showing how sincere he was in issuing his invitations (Eze 33:11). But it is the slight put upon him, the sense of which is intended to be marked by this word.
streets and lanes—historically, those within the same pale of "the city" of God as the former class, but the despised and outcasts of the nation, the "publicans and sinners" [Trench]; generally, all similar classes, usually overlooked in the first provision for supplying the means of grace to a community, half heathen in the midst of revealed light, and in every sense miserable.
22. yet there is room—implying that these classes had embraced the invitation (Mt 21:32; Mr 12:37, last clause; Joh 7:48, 49); and beautifully expressing the longing that should fill the hearts of ministers to see their Master's table filled.
23. highways and hedges—outside the city altogether; historically, the heathen, sunk in the lowest depths of spiritual wretchedness, as being beyond the pale of all that is revealed and saving, "without Christ, strangers from the covenant of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world" (Eph 2:12); generally, all such still. Thus, this parable prophetically contemplates the extension of the kingdom of God to the whole world; and spiritually, directs the Gospel invitations to be carried to the lowest strata, and be brought in contact with the outermost circles, of human society.
compel them to come in—not as if they would make the "excuses" of the first class, but because it would be hard to get them over two difficulties: (1) "We are not fit company for such a feast." (2) "We have no proper dress, and are ill in order for such a presence." How fitly does this represent the difficulties and fears of the sincere! How is this met? "Take no excuse—make them come as they are—bring them along with you." What a directory for ministers of Christ!
that my house may be filled—"Grace no more than nature will endure a vacuum" [Bengel].
24. I say unto you, That none—Our Lord here appears to throw off the veil of the parable, and proclaim the Supper His own, intimating that when transferred and transformed into its final glorious form, and the refusers themselves would give all for another opportunity, He will not allow one of them to taste it. (Note. This parable must not be confounded with that of Pr 1:24-33; The Marriage Supper, Mt 22:2-14).
Lu 14:25-35. Address to Great Multitudes Travelling with Him.
25. great multitudes with him—on His final journey to Jerusalem. The "great multitudes" were doubtless people going to the passover, who moved along in clusters (Lu 2:44), and who on this occasion falling in with our Lord had formed themselves into one mass about Him.
26, 27. If any man, &c.—(See on Mt 10:34-36, and Mr 8:34, 35).
28-33. which of you, &c.—Common sense teaches men not to begin any costly work without first seeing that they have wherewithal to finish. And he who does otherwise exposes himself to general ridicule. Nor will any wise potentate enter on a war with any hostile power without first seeing to it that, despite formidable odds (two to one), he be able to stand his ground; and if he has no hope of this, he will feel that nothing remains for him but to make the best terms he can. Even so, says our Lord, "in the warfare you will each have to wage as My disciples, despise not your enemy's strength, for the odds are all against you; and you had better see to it that, despite every disadvantage, you still have wherewithal to hold out and win the day, or else not begin at all, and make the best you can in such awful circumstances." In this simple sense of the parable (Stier, Alford, &c., go wide of the mark here in making the enemy to be God, because of the "conditions of peace," Lu 14:32), two things are taught: (1) Better not begin (Re 3:15), than begin and not finish. (2) Though the contest for salvation be on our part an awfully unequal one, the human will, in the exercise of that "faith which overcometh the world" (1Jo 5:4), and nerved by power from above, which "out of weakness makes it strong" (Heb 11:34; 1Pe 1:5), becomes heroical and will come off "more than conqueror." But without absolute surrender of self the contest is hopeless (Lu 14:33).
34, 35. Salt, &c.—(See on Mt 5:13-16; and Mr 9:50).