Luke 14:24 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.’”

NIV: I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.''

NASB: For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my dinner.’?'

CSB: For I tell you, not one of those people who were invited will enjoy my banquet.' "

NLT: For none of those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet.’'

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

NKJV: For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.’ ”

It's the Sabbath, and Jesus is at a banquet held by a leader of the Pharisees. Things are not going well for the host or the other guests. Jesus started by controversially healing a man—on the Sabbath—possibly one of the many who line the walls of the room trying to hear the conversation. Then Jesus told a parable for the other guests, reminding them that assuming a place of honor would lead to a shameful walk to the foot of the table if someone more prominent arrived. To the host, Jesus pointed out that instead of inviting rich men who could repay him, he should have invited the poor and crippled so God would have rewarded him (Luke 14:1–14).

Finally, Jesus told a parable about a man who held a grand banquet and invited many men. Every guest, however, made excuses and refused to come. They were distracted by building their own earthly kingdoms. In response, the host invited first "the poor and crippled and blind and lame" and then the homeless, travelers, vagabonds, and thieves (Luke 14:15–23).

The meaning is clear. The guests around Jesus have come because attending a banquet hosted by such a prominent religious and social leader is an honor and will only serve to build their own reputation. But they mustn't allow concern for their reputation to keep them from God's kingdom. The kingdom has arrived with the birth of Jesus. He is inviting them to a deep relationship with God that will culminate in eternity in His presence. Like the man who sold everything to buy a single, immensely valuable pearl, they need to put their priority on what is more important (Matthew 13:45–46).

Collectively, they won't. Although some individual Jewish religious leaders will follow Jesus, as a group they reject Him. Israel rejects the birthright God intended. And Gentiles will be the ones to build the church.

Luke 14:15–24 is the last of three lessons Jesus gives about how humble and marginalized people can be more qualified to be honored in the kingdom of God than some religious leaders. A good life can distract anyone from their need for salvation. Those who suffer or have no homes are more likely to look forward to eternity in paradise with the Father. Luke will go on to present the cost of accepting an invitation to God's kingdom as well as its ultimate value (Luke 14:25–35). This parable resembles the parable of the wedding feast in Matthew 22:1–14.

A Pharisee invites Jesus to a formal dinner. There, Jesus teaches lessons using invitations and feasts as a theme. These emphasize humility and the importance of not making excuses. After the dinner, Jesus warns that those who seek to follow Him will experience hardship. Believers should "count the cost" and understand what aspects of this world they may have to give up.

Luke 14 continues Jesus' doctrinal march to Jerusalem and the cross. Luke 14 and 15 contain the second grouping of one miracle and a series of discussions about the kingdom of God and salvation; Luke 13:10–35 is the first. Next will be a collection of warnings about rejecting God's kingdom (Luke 16:1—17:10) and two more sets of lessons about the kingdom and salvation, each beginning with a single miracle (Luke 17:11—18:34; 18:35—19:27). After this comes Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.