Bible Commentaries
Luke 14

Verse 1

it came to pass . A Hebraism. See on Luke 2:1 .

as He went = in (Greek. en App-104 .) His going. into. Greek. eis. App-104 .

chief Pharisees = rulers of the Pharisees ( App-120 ).

bread . Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Part) for any kind of food.

the sabbath day = a certain Sabbath.

watched = were engaged in watching.

Verse 2

behold . Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

man ( App-123 .1) . . . which had the dropsy = dropsical (a medical term). Occurs only here.

before Him. Not one of the guests.

Verse 3

Jesus . App-98 .

unto . Greek. pros. App-104 .

lawyers = doctors of the law.

Verse 4

took = took bold of. Compare Luke 20:20 . 1 Timothy 6:12 .

Verse 5

answered them = answering unto (Greek. pros; as in Luke 14:3 ) them.

an ass . All the texts read huios = a son, instead of onos = an ass, which latter has no MS. authority. In O.T. always ox and ass. Compare Exodus 23:12 .

not. Greek. ou. App-105 . Not the same word as in verses: Luke 8:12 , Luke 8:28 , Luke 8:29 ,

straightway = immediately.

pull . . . out = draw. . . up. The Greek word occurs only here and Acts 11:10 .

Verse 6

answer again = reply.

to = as

to . Greek pros. App-101 .

Verse 7

to. Greek. pros. App-104 . Not the same word as in Luke 14:8 .

bidden = invited or called. Greek. kaleo

chose out = were picking out. Going on before His eyes.

chief rooms = first couches. Greek protoklisia. Same as "highest room", Luke 14:8 . Compare Luke 20:46 . Matthew 23:6 .

Verse 8

of = by. Greek hupo. App-104 . Not the same word as in verses: Luke 14:28 , Luke 14:33 .

to. Greek. eis. App-104 .

a wedding = wedding feast.

sit = recline.

not. Greek me. App-105 . Not the same word as in verses: Luke 14:5 , Luke 14:6 , Luke 14:14 , Luke 5:20 , Luke 5:26 , Luke 5:27 , Luke 5:28 , Luke 5:30 .

in . Greek. eis. App-104 .

Verse 9

place. Greek. topes.

begin. Compare Proverbs 25:6 , Proverbs 25:7 .

with . Greek. meta. App-104 .

to take = to take (and keep in it).

lowest = last. Greek eschatos room = place, as above. Compare Luke 14:22 with Luke 2:7 .

Verse 10

Friend . Greek. philos, Noun of phileo. App-135 .

go up = go up, forward.

Occurs only here.

worship = honour. Greek. doxa = glory.

at meat = at table.

Verse 11

For, &c. This is repeatedon two other occasions. Compare Luke 18:14 and Matthew 23:12 .

abased = humbled.

Verse 12

also to him = to him also. The host.

dinner . . . supper. See note on Matthew 22:4 .

call. Greek. phoneo. Compare 19. 15.

nor. Figure of speech Paradiastole ( App-6 ), for emphasis.

neither . . . nor. Greek mede, compound of me. App-105 .

bid . . . again. Greek. antikaleo. Occurs only here.

be made thee = take place, when such an one asks for gifts, not friends.

Verse 13

feast, or reception . Occurs only here and in Luke 5:29 .

call. Same word as bid, Luke 14:7 .

the poor. Note the Figure of speech Asyndeton ( App-6 ), not emphasizing the particular classes, but hastening us on to the climax in Luke 14:14 . Note the opposite Figure in Luke 14:21 .

maimed = crippled. Only here, and Luke 14:21 .

Verse 14

And thou shalt be blessed . This is the climax.

blessed = happy, Figure of speech Beatitudo, not Benedictio.

cannot = have not [wherewith to]. App-105 .

at = in. Greek. en. App-104 .

resurrection. App-178 .

Verse 15

in. Greek. en. App-104 .

the kingdom of God . See App-114 .

Verse 16

made. T Tr. A Val and R read "was making". This parable is in Luke only. For the interpretation, see App-140 .:17 sent. According to custom.

Verse 17

servant = bondman.

Verse 18

with one consent = from (Greek. apo. App-104 . iv) one [mind],

make excuse . beg off.

a piece of ground = a field.

must needs = have need to.

go = go out (i.e. from the city). Greek. exerchomai, as in verses: Luke 14:21 , Luke 14:23 .

and see = to see. App-133 .

I pray. App-134 .

have = consider me.

Verse 19

another . App-124 .

go = go forth.

prove = try.

have = hold.

Verse 20

therefore = on account of (Greek. dia) this.

cannot = am not (Greek. ou. App-105 ) able to.

Verse 21

shewed = reported to.

lord . App-98 .

the master of the house . App-98 . Note these different titles, appropriate to each case, and see App-140 .

the city. Jerusalem. See App-140 .

the poor . Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton ( App-6 ) in this verse, emphasizing each class (with no climax at the end). The opposite of the Figure of speech in verses: Luke 14:13 , Luke 14:14 .

and. This is the Figure.

halt = lame. The same word as "lame" in Luke 14:13 .

Verse 22

Lord. App-98 . B. Note the various titles throughout.

hast commanded = didst command,

yet = still.

Verse 23

compel = constrain. See all the nine occur here: Matthew 14:22 .Mark 6:45 .Acts 26:11 ; Act 28:19 . 2 Corinthians 12:11 .Galatians 1:2 , Galatians 1:3 , Galatians 1:14 ; Galatians 6:12 . Compulsion necessary, because the "will" is a fallen "will", and therefore no stronger than that of our first parents when unfallen. See Psalms 14:2 , Psalms 14:3 ; Psalms 53:2 , 3 John 1:5; 3 John 1:5 :40 . Romans 3:10-18 . Man's fallen will has never been used for God, without the compulsion of Philippians 2:13 .

may be filled . Used of loading a ship.

Verse 24

none = not (Greek. ou. App-105 ) one.

men . App-123 . Not the same word as in verses: Luke 14:2 , Luke 14:16 , Luke 14:30 .

Verse 26

If any . The case being assumed. App-118 .

hate not. See Matthew 10:37 .

life = soul. See App-110 .

Verse 27

his = his own.

Verse 28

of = out of. Greek. ek. App-104 . Not the same word as in Luke 14:8 .

intending = desiring. See App-102 .

not. App-105 .

counteth = reckoneth, or calculateth. Greek psephizo. Occurs only here and in Revelation 13:18 in N.T. It is from psephos = a pebble, with which calculations were made, or votes given. Occurs only in Acts 26:10 . Revelation 2:17

cost . Greek. dapane. Occurs only here.

whether. Same as "if" in Luke 14:26 .

sufficient to finish it = the [means] for (Greek. pros. App-104 ., but the texts read eis) [its] completion. Greek. apartismos. Occurs only here.

Verse 29

the foundation = its foundation.

able = strong enough.

finish it finish it off . Greek. ekteleo. Only here and Luke 14:30 .

behold . Greek. theoreo. App-133 .

begin . As they see him nearing the end of his resources.

Verse 30

Saying, &c. = Saying that this man, &c. See note on Luke 4:21 ; Luke 19:9 . Mark 14:30 , &c.

Verse 31

to make war = to encounter for (Greek. eis. App-104 .) war.

with = in [the midst of]. Greek en. App-104 .

to meet . Greek. apantao, as in Matthew 28:9 .

against. Greek. epi. App-104 .

Verse 32

Greek.else = If not.

ambassage = embassy. Only here and Luke 19:14 .

desireth = asketh, or seeketh. App-134 .

conditions = the [terms].

of = for. Greek. pros. App-104 .

Verse 33

forsaketh = taketh leave of.

he hath = himself possesses.

Verse 34

Salt , &c. See note on Matthew 5:13 .

if , &c. A contingent assumption. App-118 .

lost his savour = become tasteless. Compare Matthew 5:13 .

wherewith = with (Greek. en App-104 .) what.

seasoned . Only here, Mark 9:50 . Colossians 4:6 .

Verse 35

for. Greek. eis. App-104 . land. App-129 .

the dunghill = manure.

out = without

He that hath, &c. See App-142 .