Luke 14
BSB1 One Sabbath, Jesus went to eat in the home of a leading Pharisee, and those in attendance were watching Him closely. 2 Right there before Him was a man with dropsy. 3 So Jesus asked the experts in the law and the Pharisees, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?" 4 But they remained silent. Then Jesus took hold of the man, healed him, and sent him on his way. 5 And He asked them, “Which of you whose son or ox falls into a pit on the Sabbath day will not immediately pull him out?" 6 And they were unable to answer these questions. 7 When Jesus noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, He told them a parable: 8 “When you are invited to a wedding banquet, do not sit in the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited. 9 Then the host who invited both of you will come and tell you, ‘Give this man your seat.’ And in humiliation, you will have to take the last place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit in the last place, so that your host will come and tell you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in front of everyone at the table with you. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted." 12 Then Jesus said to the man who had invited Him, “When you host a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or brothers or relatives or rich neighbors. Otherwise, they may invite you in return, and you will be repaid. 13 But when you host a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Since they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." 15 When one of those reclining with Him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is everyone who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God." 16 But Jesus replied, “A certain man prepared a great banquet and invited many guests. 17 When it was time for the banquet, he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ 18 But one after another they all began to make excuses. The first one said, ‘I have bought a field, and I need to go see it. Please excuse me.’ 19 Another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out. Please excuse me.’ 20 Still another said, ‘I have married a wife, so I cannot come.’ 21 The servant returned and reported all this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the city, and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’ 22 ‘Sir,’ the servant replied, ‘what you ordered has been done, and there is still room.’ 23 So the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. 24 For I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will taste my banquet.’" 25 Large crowds were now traveling with Jesus, and He turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be My disciple. 27 And whoever does not carry his cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple. 28 Which of you, wishing to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost to see if he has the resources to complete it? 29 Otherwise, if he lays the foundation and is unable to finish the work, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, 30 saying, ‘This man could not finish what he started to build.’ 31 Or what king on his way to war with another king will not first sit down and consider whether he can engage with ten thousand men the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if he is unable, he will send a delegation while the other king is still far off, to ask for terms of peace. 33 In the same way, any one of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be My disciple. 34 Salt is good, but if the salt loses its savor, with what will it be seasoned? 35 It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile, and it is thrown out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
Study Notes — Luke 14
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from Luke 14
- Themes from Luke 14
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on Luke 14
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
Luke chapter 14 begins with Jesus healing a man with dropsy on the Sabbath, which sparks a debate with the Pharisees about the lawfulness of healing on the Sabbath. Jesus then teaches about the importance of humility, using the example of a wedding feast to illustrate the need to humble oneself and not seek the highest place. He also tells the parable of the great banquet, emphasizing the need to invite those who cannot repay us. Jesus then teaches about the cost of discipleship, stating that anyone who wants to follow him must be willing to give up everything. The chapter concludes with Jesus' statement that salt that has lost its flavor is useless, emphasizing the need for his followers to remain faithful and committed to their faith.
Context for the Chapter
Luke chapter 14 is part of the larger narrative of Jesus' ministry, which is recorded in the Gospel of Luke. The chapter is situated in the midst of Jesus' journey to Jerusalem, where he will ultimately be crucified and resurrected. The chapter is also part of the larger biblical narrative, which emphasizes the importance of humility, sacrifice, and faithfulness. The chapter is connected to other parts of the Bible, such as the teachings of the Old Testament prophets and the writings of the New Testament apostles.
Heart Application
This chapter calls us to examine our own hearts and lives, and to consider the cost of following Jesus. Are we willing to give up everything for the sake of the kingdom? Are we humble and selfless, or do we seek to exalt ourselves? The chapter challenges us to re-evaluate our priorities and to seek first the kingdom of God.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
This chapter is about the importance of humility and the cost of following Jesus. Jesus teaches that we must be willing to give up everything for the sake of the kingdom, and that we must humble ourselves and not seek the highest place. He also emphasizes the need to remain faithful and committed to our faith, like salt that retains its flavor. (Luke 14:7-11, 33)
Voices from the Church
“The kingdom of God is not a matter of outward show or ceremony, but of inward humility and obedience. It is a kingdom that is built on the foundation of faith, and it is a kingdom that requires us to surrender everything to God.”
— John Calvin
“The cost of discipleship is not a minor issue, but a major one. It requires us to give up everything for the sake of the kingdom, and to follow Jesus with abandon and devotion.”
— Charles Spurgeon
Outline for Preaching
- Jesus Heals a Man with Dropsy (Luke 14:1-6) — Jesus heals a man with dropsy on the Sabbath, sparking a debate with the Pharisees about the lawfulness of healing on the Sabbath.
- The Parable of the Wedding Feast (Luke 14:7-11) — Jesus teaches about the importance of humility, using the example of a wedding feast to illustrate the need to humble oneself and not seek the highest place.
- The Parable of the Great Banquet (Luke 14:12-24) — Jesus tells the parable of the great banquet, emphasizing the need to invite those who cannot repay us and to seek the kingdom of God above all else.
- The Cost of Discipleship (Luke 14:25-35) — Jesus teaches about the cost of discipleship, stating that anyone who wants to follow him must be willing to give up everything for the sake of the kingdom.
- The Importance of Faithfulness (Luke 14:34-35) — Jesus concludes the chapter by emphasizing the need to remain faithful and committed to our faith, like salt that retains its flavor.
Core Doctrines
- The Doctrine of Humility
- This chapter teaches that humility is a fundamental aspect of the Christian life, and that we must be willing to humble ourselves and not seek the highest place.
- The Doctrine of Discipleship
- The chapter emphasizes the cost of discipleship, highlighting the need for followers of Jesus to be willing to give up everything for the sake of the kingdom.
- The Doctrine of the Kingdom of God
- The chapter emphasizes the importance of the kingdom of God, which is a central theme of Jesus' ministry.
- The Doctrine of Faithfulness
- The chapter concludes by emphasizing the need to remain faithful and committed to our faith, like salt that retains its flavor.
Lessons from Luke 14
- The Importance of Humility — This chapter teaches us that humility is essential for the Christian life, and that we must be willing to humble ourselves and not seek the highest place.
- The Cost of Discipleship — The chapter emphasizes the cost of discipleship, highlighting the need for followers of Jesus to be willing to give up everything for the sake of the kingdom.
- The Importance of Seeking the Kingdom — The parable of the great banquet illustrates the importance of seeking the kingdom of God above all else, and of inviting those who cannot repay us.
- The Need for Faithfulness — The chapter concludes by emphasizing the need to remain faithful and committed to our faith, like salt that retains its flavor.
- The Call to Follow Jesus — The chapter calls us to follow Jesus, to give up everything for the sake of the kingdom, and to seek first the kingdom of God.
Themes from Luke 14
- Humility — The chapter emphasizes the importance of humility, teaching us that we must be willing to humble ourselves and not seek the highest place.
- Discipleship — The chapter emphasizes the cost of discipleship, highlighting the need for followers of Jesus to be willing to give up everything for the sake of the kingdom.
- The Kingdom of God — The chapter emphasizes the importance of the kingdom of God, which is a central theme of Jesus' ministry.
- Faithfulness — The chapter concludes by emphasizing the need to remain faithful and committed to our faith, like salt that retains its flavor.
- Sacrifice — The chapter teaches us that following Jesus requires sacrifice, and that we must be willing to give up everything for the sake of the kingdom.
Questions for Meditation
- What does it mean to humble oneself and not seek the highest place, as Jesus teaches in the parable of the wedding feast?
- What is the cost of discipleship, and how does Jesus describe it in Luke 14:25-35?
- How does the parable of the great banquet illustrate the importance of seeking the kingdom of God above all else?
- What does Jesus mean by saying that salt that has lost its flavor is useless, and how does this relate to our faith?
- How can we apply the teachings of this chapter to our own lives, and what changes might we need to make in order to follow Jesus more faithfully?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. Jesus Heals a Man with Dropsy (Luke 14:1-6)
| 14:1 | Jesus is invited to the home of a prominent Pharisee, where he heals a man with dropsy on the Sabbath. |
| 14:2 | The Pharisees are critical of Jesus for healing on the Sabbath, but Jesus responds by asking if it is lawful to heal on the Sabbath. |
2. The Parable of the Wedding Feast (Luke 14:7-11)
| 14:7 | Jesus tells the parable of the wedding feast, teaching about the importance of humility and not seeking the highest place. |
| 14:8 | Jesus says that when we are invited to a feast, we should not seek the highest place, but rather the lowest place, so that we may be exalted by the host. |
3. The Parable of the Great Banquet (Luke 14:12-24)
| 14:12 | Jesus tells the parable of the great banquet, teaching about the importance of inviting those who cannot repay us and seeking the kingdom of God above all else. |
| 14:13 | Jesus says that when we give a banquet, we should invite the poor, the crippled, and the blind, rather than our friends and family. |
4. The Cost of Discipleship (Luke 14:25-35)
| 14:25 | Jesus teaches about the cost of discipleship, stating that anyone who wants to follow him must be willing to give up everything for the sake of the kingdom. |
| 14:26 | Jesus says that we must hate our families and our own lives in order to follow him, and that we must carry our own cross and follow him. |
5. The Importance of Faithfulness (Luke 14:34-35)
| 14:34 | Jesus concludes the chapter by emphasizing the need to remain faithful and committed to our faith, like salt that retains its flavor. |
| 14:35 | Jesus says that salt that has lost its flavor is useless, and that we must remain faithful in order to be effective in our witness for him. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of Jesus healing the man with dropsy on the Sabbath?
The significance of Jesus healing the man with dropsy on the Sabbath is that it highlights the controversy surrounding Jesus' ministry and the Pharisees' opposition to him. (Luke 14:1-6)
What is the meaning of the parable of the wedding feast?
The parable of the wedding feast teaches about the importance of humility and not seeking the highest place. It emphasizes the need to humble ourselves and not seek to exalt ourselves. (Luke 14:7-11)
What is the cost of discipleship, according to Jesus?
According to Jesus, the cost of discipleship is that we must be willing to give up everything for the sake of the kingdom. We must hate our families and our own lives, and carry our own cross and follow him. (Luke 14:25-35)
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luke 14:1 → Matthew 12:9-14 | This event is also recorded in Matthew 12:9-14, where Jesus heals a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath. |
| 2 | Luke 14:7-11 → Proverbs 25:6-7 | The parable of the wedding feast is similar to the teaching in Proverbs 25:6-7, which emphasizes the importance of humility and not seeking to exalt oneself. |
| 3 | Luke 14:12-24 → Isaiah 58:6-12 | The parable of the great banquet is similar to the teaching in Isaiah 58:6-12, which emphasizes the importance of seeking justice and righteousness, and of caring for the poor and needy. |
| 4 | Luke 14:25-35 → Matthew 10:37-39 | The teaching on the cost of discipleship is similar to the teaching in Matthew 10:37-39, where Jesus says that we must love him more than our families and our own lives. |
| 5 | Luke 14:34-35 → Matthew 5:13-16 | The teaching on the importance of faithfulness is similar to the teaching in Matthew 5:13-16, where Jesus says that we are the salt and light of the world, and that we must remain faithful in order to be effective in our witness for him. |
| 6 | Luke 14:1 → Mark 3:1-6 | This event is also recorded in Mark 3:1-6, where Jesus heals a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath. |
| 7 | Luke 14:7-11 → 1 Peter 5:5-6 | The parable of the wedding feast is similar to the teaching in 1 Peter 5:5-6, which emphasizes the importance of humility and not seeking to exalt oneself. |
| 8 | Luke 14:12-24 → Acts 2:44-47 | The parable of the great banquet is similar to the teaching in Acts 2:44-47, where the early church is described as sharing everything in common and caring for the poor and needy. |
| 9 | Luke 14:25-35 → John 12:25 | The teaching on the cost of discipleship is similar to the teaching in John 12:25, where Jesus says that we must hate our lives in this world in order to keep them for eternal life. |
| 10 | Luke 14:34-35 → Colossians 4:5-6 | The teaching on the importance of faithfulness is similar to the teaching in Colossians 4:5-6, where Paul says that we must make the most of every opportunity and be wise in the way we act towards outsiders. |
Sermons on Luke 14
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Dying to Self (Part 1 of 2) by Keith Green | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of committing everything to God. He references Luke 12:35-36, where Jesus instructs his followers to be ready and alert for t |
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The Call of God - Part 2 by Derek Prince | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of doing the will of God and renouncing the desires and ambitions of the world. He highlights that the world and its temporary |
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Radical Risk, Radical Reward by David Platt | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the vast spiritual and physical needs in the world, including the death of thousands of children due to preventable causes. He argues that th |
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Please Sir Save Me! by William Booth | In this sermon, the preacher tells a story about a gold miner on a ship that gets caught in a storm and starts sinking. A little girl asks the miner if he can swim, and he realizes |
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Eyes to See (1 of 2) by Jackie Pullinger | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of seeing and having a clear vision from the beginning. They share personal experiences of witnessing the plight of the unborn |
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(Heavenly Life) Heavenly Attitudes by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of being the salt of the earth by bringing a taste of heaven to wherever we are, whether at home, work, or church. It highlights the need to h |
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Francis Chan's Wife Shares About Surrendering All by Francis Chan | This sermon focuses on the journey of surrender and obedience to God's calling, particularly in the context of marriage and family life. It delves into the struggle of denying ones |
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The Demands of Discipleship by Stephen Olford | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of discipleship and challenges the listeners to examine their own commitment to following Jesus. He uses the story of a young |
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Do We Really Believe in Hell? by K.P. Yohannan | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of reaching out to the billions of people who have never heard the name of Jesus and are on their way to hell. He encourages l |
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Be Ye Perfect by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker shares his experience of preaching the word of God during a series of gospel meetings. He talks about feeling inadequate and helpless in his role as a s |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Luke 14
In this chapter, Jesus teaches about the importance of humility and the cost of discipleship. He emphasizes the need to seek first the kingdom of God, and to be willing to give up everything for the sake of the kingdom. The chapter also highlights Jesus' compassion and wisdom, as he heals a man with dropsy and teaches about the importance of faithfulness. As Matthew Henry notes, 'The kingdom of God is not a matter of outward show or ceremony, but of inward humility and obedience.' The chapter calls us to re-evaluate our priorities and to seek first the kingdom of God, and to remain faithful and committed to our faith, like salt that retains its flavor. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
Jesus' teaching style
Jesus often uses parables and real-life examples to teach about the kingdom of God and the nature of discipleship. This style of teaching is engaging and memorable, and it allows Jesus to convey complex ideas in a simple and accessible way.
The Pharisees' reaction
The Pharisees are often portrayed as being opposed to Jesus and his teachings. In this chapter, they are critical of Jesus for healing on the Sabbath, and they are unwilling to listen to his teachings about humility and discipleship.
The emphasis on the kingdom
The chapter emphasizes the importance of the kingdom of God, which is a central theme of Jesus' ministry. Jesus teaches about the kingdom and calls people to follow him, emphasizing the need to seek first the kingdom of God.