Luke 14:28 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?

NIV: Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won't you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?

NASB: For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it?

CSB: "For which of you, wanting to build a tower, doesn't first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it?

NLT: But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it?

KJV: For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

NKJV: For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—

To become a true disciple of Jesus involves inherent dangers. Jesus is speaking to a crowd about these. A "disciple" is someone who bases their worldview and way of living around the teaching and lifestyle of a teacher. There are plenty of teachers the people can choose from, and they require different levels of commitment. Jesus is explaining that His disciples need to be all-in, to the point of abandoning family and suffering crucifixion, if need be (Luke 14:25–27).

To press the importance of considering a lifetime of sacrifice, Jesus gives two examples. In the first, a man wants to build a tower, so he sensibly begins by determining if he has sufficient funds. If he builds the foundation but runs out of money before it's complete, he will not only have wasted his money, but will also be subject to ridicule (Luke 14:29–30).

This isn't about salvation but about continuing to live a Christlike life. Many people have a solid foundation built on biblical truths expressed in a clear presentation of the gospel. That doesn't mean they have considered what sacrifices they'll need to make to continue living for Christ. Some are kicked out of their homes. Some hear family members threaten harm—or harm on themselves—if they don't deny Jesus. Others aren't prepared for their friends' ostracism.

To stop building on that foundation, however, is worse. It is shameful to ask Jesus to apply His crucifixion and resurrection to cover sins only to live a half-hearted life while attempting to maintain peace with the world. Even if following Jesus results in physical death, it's still a better life.

Luke 14:25–33 continues Jesus' lessons on who will experience the kingdom of God. Humble, generous, and responsive people will receive God's blessings (Luke 14:1–24). Those who would be Jesus' disciples must count the cost of dedicating their lives to Him and make sure they're willing to pay it. Entering God's kingdom is free, but being a useful citizen takes sacrifice. This section on the cost of discipleship resembles Matthew 10:37–38.

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.