Luke 14:30 - Printer Friendly

ESV: saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’

NIV: saying, 'This person began to build and wasn't able to finish.'

NASB: saying, ‘This person began to build, and was not able to finish!’

CSB: saying, 'This man started to build and wasn't able to finish.'

NLT: They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’

KJV: Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

NKJV: saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’?

Those who want to become disciples of Jesus need to understand what that commitment entails. Unlike most teaching schools of the ancient world, Jesus was actively persecuted by other religious leaders (Mark 3:6; Luke 6:11; 11:53–54; John 5:16). His teaching will cause parents, children, and spouses to disavow each other (Luke 12:51–53). Jesus' disciples need to be so content with Him they can separate from family members who reject His way, and even be willing to face a public, humiliating, and extremely painful death (Luke 14:26–27). This is not a life that can be agreed to without careful consideration.

As a little parable, Jesus talks about a man who starts to build a tower without considering if he has the money to complete it. In fact, he pours the foundation before he realizes he can't go further. The townspeople mock him for his foolishness (Luke 14:28–29). This is not about accepting forgiveness from sins and becoming a Christian. It's about continued dedication to Jesus, His worldview, and His lifestyle.

There are few things more tragic to the worldwide church than when Christian leaders are publicly shamed for willful, unrepentant sin. They may have started with a strong, Bible-based foundation in their spiritual walk and their ministry. But some do not consider the sacrifices required to keep their ministry and reputation strong. They didn't count the cost and take the necessary precautions, especially the need to focus on Jesus at the expense of wealth, fame, and even their own lives (Luke 14:33). When such leaders are exposed, the public naturally shames them. We may wonder if they realize that their reputations are nothing, but their actions bring dishonor to the Jesus they claimed to serve.

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.