Luke 14:30

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Luke 14:30 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

saying, ‘This man could not finish what he started to build.’

King James Version KJV

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

American Standard Version ASV

saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And saying, This man made a start at building and is not able to make it complete.

Free Bible Version FBV

‘Look at him: he started building but he couldn't finish.’

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Saying, This man began to builde, and was not able to make an end?

Young's Literal Translation YLT

saying — This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

World English Bible WEB

saying, ‘This man began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’

Noah Webster Bible WBS

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

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

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

Translation for Translators T4T

They would say, ‘This man started to build a tower, but he was not able to finish it!’

Plain English Version PEV

and say, ‘You stupid fool. You started to build that thing, but you couldn’t finish it. Now it is no good for anything, so you wasted your money.’”

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Berean Amplified Bible — Luke 14:30

BAB

Word Study

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Luke 14:30 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK λεγοντες οτι ουτος ο ανθρωπος ηρξατο οικοδομειν και ουκ ισχυσεν εκτελεσαι

λεγοντες legō G3004 to say Verb-PAP-NPM

οτι hoti G3754 that/since: that Conj

ουτος ohutos G3778 this/he/she/it Dem-NSM

ο ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NSM

ανθρωπος anthrōpos G444 a human Noun-NSM

ηρξατο archomai G756 to rule/begin Verb-AMI-3S

οικοδομειν oikodomeō G3618 to build Verb-PAN

και kai G2532 and Conj

ουκ ou G3756 no Particle-N

ισχυσεν ischuō G2480 be strong Verb-AAI-3S

εκτελεσαι ekteleō G1615 to finish up Verb-AAN

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — Luke 14:30

λεγοντες legō G3004 "to say" Verb-PAP-NPM

This word means to say or speak, and it is used by Jesus and others in the New Testament to share teachings and tell stories. It appears in Matthew 9:34 and John 1:29.

Definition: λέγω, [in LXX very freq., chiefly for אמר; λέγει for נְאֻם, Gen.22:16, al. ;] __1. in Hom., to pick out, gather, reckon, recount. __2. In Hdt. and Att., to say, speak, affirm, declare: absol., Act.13:15, 24:10; before orat. dir., Mat.9:34, Mrk.3:11, Jhn.1:29, al.; before ὅτι recit., Mrk.3:21, Luk.1:24, Jhn.6:14, al.; accusative and inf., Luk.11:18, Jhn.12:29, al.; after another verb of speaking, προσφωνεῖν κ. λέγειν, Mat.11:17, al.; ἀπεκρίθη (ἐλάλησεν) λέγων (καὶ λέγει; Dalman, Words, 24 ff.), Mat.25:9, Mrk.3:33, 7:28, Luk.24:6, 7, al.; of unspoken thought, λ. ἐν ἑαυτῷ, Mat.3:9, Luk.3:8, al.; of writing, 2Co.8:8, Php.4:11, al.; λέγει ἡ γραφή, Rom.4:3, Jas.2:23, al.; with accusative of thing(s), Luk.8:8, 9:33, Jhn.5:34, al.; σὺ λέγεις (a non-committal phrase; Swete, Mk., 359, 369f.), Mat.27:11, Mrk.15:2, Luk.23:3, Jhn.18:37; with dative of person(s), before orat. dir., Mat.8:20, Mrk.2:17, al. mult.; id. before ὅτι, Mat.3:9, al.; with prep., πρός, μετά, περί, etc., Mrk.4:41, Jhn.11:56, Heb.9:5, al.; to mean (cl.), Mrk.14:71, Jhn.6:71, 1Co.10:29, al.; to call, name, Mrk.10:18; pass., Mat.9:9, Mrk.15:7, al (cf. ἀντι-, δια- (-μαι), προ-, συλ-λέγω). SYN.: λαλέω, which refers to the utterance, as λέγω to the meaning of what is said, its correspondence with thought (Tr., Syn., Ixxvi; Thayer, see word λαλέω). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1988 NT verses. KJV: ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; Acts 6:2; Acts 19:3.

οτι hoti G3754 "that/since: that" Conj

This Greek word means 'that' or 'because', used to introduce a reason or explanation. It appears in the New Testament, such as in Matthew 3:9 and Romans 8:38. It helps to show cause and effect in sentences.

Definition: ὅτι, conjc. (prop. neut. of ὅστις). __I. As conjc, introducing an objective clause, that; __1. after verbs of seeing, knowing, thinking, saying, feeling: Mat.3:9 6:32 11:25, Mrk.3:28, Luk.2:49, Jhn.2:22, Act.4:13, Rom.1:13 8:38 10:9, Php.4:15, Jas.2:24, al.; elliptically, Jhn.6:46, Php.3:12, al. __2. After εἶναι (γίνεσθαι): defining a demonstr. or of person(s) pron., Jhn.3:19 16:19, Rom.9:6, 1Jn.3:16 al.; with pron. interrog., Mat.8:27, Mrk.4:41, Luk.4:36, Jhn.4:22 al.; id. elliptically, Luk.2:49, Act.5:4, 9, al.; __3. Untranslatable, before direct discourse (ὅτι recitantis): Mat.7:23, Mrk.2:16, Luk.1:61, Jhn.1:20, Act.15:1, Heb.11:18, al. (on the pleonastic ὡς ὅτι, see: ὡς). __II. As causal particle, for that, because: Mat.5:4-12, Luk.6:20, 21, J0 1:30 5:27, Act.1:5, 1Jn.4:18, Rev.3:10, al. mult.; διὰ τοῦτο ὅτι, Jhn.8:47 10:17, al.; answering a question (διὰ τί), Rom.9:32, al.; οὐκ ὅτι . . . ἀλλ᾽ ὅτι, Jhn.6:26 12:6. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1185 NT verses. KJV: as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why See also: 1 Corinthians 1:5; 1 John 5:2; 1 Peter 1:12.

ουτος ohutos G3778 "this/he/she/it" Dem-NSM

This refers to a specific person or thing, like when Jesus says 'this is my body' in Matthew 26:26 and Mark 14:22.

Definition: οὗτος, αὕτη, τοῦτο, genitive, τούτου, ταύτης, τούτου, [in LXX chiefly for זֹאת ,זֶה ;] demonstr. pron. (related to ἐκεῖνος as hic to ille), this; __1. as subst., this one, he; __(a) absol.: Mat.3:17, Mrk.9:7, Luk.7:44, 45, Jhn.1:15, Act.2:15, al.; expressing contempt (cl.), Mat.13:55, 56, Mrk.6:2, 3, Jhn.6:42, al.; εἰς τοῦτο, Mrk.1:38, Rom.14:9; μετὰ τοῦτο (ταῦτα; V. Westc. on Jhn.5:1), Jhn.2:12 11:7, al.; __(b) epanaleptic (referring to what precedes): Mat.5:19, Mrk.3:35, Luk.9:48, Jhn.6:46, Rom.7:10, al.; __(with) proleptic (referring to what follows): before ἵνα (Bl., §69, 6), Luk.1:43, Jhn.3:19 (and freq.) 15:8, Rom.14:9, al.; before ὅτι, Luk.10:11, Jhn.9:3o, Act.24:14, Rom.2:3, al.; ὅπως, Rom.9:17; ἐάν, Jhn.13:35; __(d) special idioms: τοῦτο μὲν . . . τ. δέ (cl), partly . . . partly. Heb.10:33; καὶ τοῦτο (τοῦτον, ταῦτα), and that (him) too, Rom.13:11, 1Co.2:2, Heb.11:12; τοῦτ᾽ ἐστιν, Mat.27:46. __2. As adj., with subst.; __(a) with art. __(α) before the art.: Mat.12:32, Mrk.9:29, Luk.7:44, Jhn.4:15, Rom.11:24, Rev.19:9, al.; __(β) after the noun: Mat.3:9, Mrk.12:16, Luk.11:31, Jhn.4:13, Act.6:13, Rom.15:28, 1Co.1:20, Rev.2:24, al.; __(b) with subst. anarth. (with predicative force; Bl., §49, 4): Luk.1:36 2:2 24:21, Jhn.2:11 4:54 21:14, 2Co.13:1. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1281 NT verses. KJV: he (it was that), hereof, it, she, such as, the same, these, they, this (man, same, woman), which, who See also: 1 Corinthians 1:12; 1 Peter 2:20; 1 Peter 1:11.

ο ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NSM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

ανθρωπος anthrōpos G444 "a human" Noun-NSM

This word means a human being, and is used in the Bible to describe people, like in John 16:21 and Romans 7:1.

Definition: ἄνθρωπος, -ου, ὁ, [in LXX chiefly for אִישׁ ,אָדָם, also for אֱנוֹשׁ, etc. ;] man: __1. generically, a human being, male or female (Lat. homo): Jhn.16:21; with art., Mat.4:4 12:35, Mrk.2:27, Jhn.2:25, Rom.7:1, al; disting. from God, Mat.19:6, Jhn.10:33, Col.3:23, al.; from animals, etc., Mat.4:19, Luk.5:10, Rev.9:4, al.; implying human frailty and imperfection, 1Co.3:4; σοφία ἀνθρώπων, 1Co.2:5; ἀνθρώπων ἐπιθυμίαι, 1Pe.4:2; κατὰ ἄνθρωπον περιπατεῖν, 1Co.3:3; κατὰ ἄ. λέγειν (λαλεῖν), Rom.3:5, 1Co.9:8; κατὰ ἄ- λέγειν, Gal.3:15 (cf. 1Co.15:32, Gal.1:11); by meton., of man's nature or condition, ὁ ἔσω (ἔξω) ἄ., Rom.7:22, Eph.3:16, 2Co.4:16 (cf. 1Pe.3:4); ὁ παλαιὸς, καινὸς, νέος ἄ., Rom.6:6, Eph.2:15 4:22, 24 Col.3:9, 10; joined with another subst., ἄ. ἔμπορος, a merchant, Mat.13:45 (WH, txt. om. ἄ.); οἰκοδεσπότης, Mat.13:52; βασιλεύς, 18:23; φάγος, 11:19; with name of nation, Κυρηναῖος, Mat.27:32; Ἰουδαῖος, Act.21:39; Ῥωμαῖος, Act.16:37; pl. οἱ ἄ., men, people: Mat.5:13, 16 Mrk.8:24, Jhn.4:28; οὐδεὶς ἀνθρώπων, Mrk.11:2, 1Ti.6:16. __2. Indef., ἄ. = τις, some one, a man: Mat.17:14, Mrk.12:1, al.; τις ἄ., Mat.18:12, Jhn.5:5, al.; indef. one (Fr. on), Rom.3:28, Gal.2:16, al.; opposite to women, servants, etc., Mat.10:36 19:10, Jhn.7:22, 23. __3. Definitely, with art., of some particular person; Mat.12:13, Mrk.3:5, al.; οὗτος ὁ ἄ., Luk.14:30; ὁ ἄ οὗτος, ἐκεῖνος, Mrk.14:71, Mat.12:45; ὁ ἄ. τ. ἀνομίας, 2Th.2:3; ἄ τ. θεοῦ (of Heb. אִישׁ אֱלֹהִים), 1Ti.6:11, 2Ti.3:17, 2Pe.1:21; ὁ υἰὸς τοῦ ἀ., see: υἱός. SYN.: ἀνήρ, which see (and cf. MM, VGT, 44; Cremer, 103, 635). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 503 NT verses. KJV: certain, man See also: 1 Corinthians 1:25; Acts 22:25; 1 Peter 1:24.

ηρξατο archomai G756 "to rule/begin" Verb-AMI-3S

To rule or begin means to commence something in order of time, like in Mark 10:42 and Romans 15:12. It can also mean to start something new.

Definition: ἄρχω [in LXX for חָלַל, מָשַׁל, etc. ;] __1. to begin. __2. to rule (see DCG, ii, 538b.): with genitive, Mrk.10:42, Rom.15:12. Mid., to begin: before ἀπό, Mat.16:21 20:8, Luk.14:18 23:5 24:27, 47, Jhn.8:9, Act.1:22 8:35 10:37, 1Pe.4:17; with inf., an Aramaic pleonasm, Mrk.1:45 2:23 5:17, Luk.3:8, al. (see M, Pro.14:1-35 f.; Dalman, Words, 27; MM, see word) (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 84 NT verses. KJV: (rehearse from the) begin(-ning) See also: 1 Peter 4:17; Luke 23:30; Matthew 26:74.

οικοδομειν oikodomeō G3618 "to build" Verb-PAN

To build or construct something, like a house, is the meaning of this word. In Luke 11:48 and 1 Peter 2:7, it refers to building or confirming something, whether physical or spiritual.

Definition: οἰκοδομέω, -ῶ (οἰκοδόμος), [in LXX chiefly for בָּנָה ;] to build a house, to build: absol., Luk.11:48 14:30 17:28; οἱ οἰκοδομοῦντες, the builders (as Psa.118:22, בָּנָה), Mat.21:42, Mrk.12:10, Luk.20:17, 1Pe.2:7" (LXX) ; ἐ π ̓ ἀλλότριον θεμέλιον οἰ., proverb., Rom.15:20; with accusative of thing(s), Gal.2:18; πύργον), Mat.21:33, Mrk.12:1, Luk.14:28; ἀποθήκας, Luk.12:18; ναόν, Mrk.14:58; pass., Jhn.2:20; οἰκία, Luk.6:48; with accusative of thing(s) before dative of person(s) (cf. Gen.8:20, Eze.16:24), Luk.7:5, Act.7:47, 49; accusative before ἐπί, Mat.7:24, 26 Luk.6:49; πόλιν ἐπ ̓ ὄρους, Luk.4:29; of rebuilding, or restoring, Mat.23:29 26:61 27:40, Mrk.15:29, Luk.11:47, Metaphorical, τ. ἐκκλησίαν, Mat.16:18; of the growth of Christian character (cf. בָּנָה, in Psa.28:5, Jer.24:6, al.), to build up (AV, edify): absol., Act.20:32, 1Co.8:1 10:23; with accusative of person(s), 1Co.14:4, 1Th.5:11; pass., Act.9:31, 1Co.14:17, 1Pe.2:5; of blameworthy action (AV, embolden), 1Co.8:10 (cf. ἀν-, ἐπ-, συν-οικοδομέω).† οἰκο-δόμος, -ου, ὁ (οἶκος + δέμω, to build), [in LXX for בָּנָה, etc. ;] a builder: Act.4:11.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 38 NT verses. KJV: (be in) build(-er, -ing, up), edify, embolden See also: 1 Corinthians 8:1; Luke 11:48; 1 Peter 2:5.

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Definition: καί, conj., and __I. Copulative. __1. Connecting single words; __(a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. __(b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; __(with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. __2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. __(a) where, after the simplicity of the popular language, sentences are paratactically joined (WM, §60, 3; M, Pr., 12; Deiss., LAE, 128ff.): Mat.1:21, 7:25, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.10:3, al.; __(b) joining affirmative to negative sentences: Luk.3:14, Jhn.4:11, IIIJhn.10; __(with) consecutive, and so: Mat.5:1, 23:32, Heb.3:19, al.; after imperatives, Mat.4:19, Luk.7:7, al.; __(d) = καίτοι, and yet: Mat.3:14, 6:26, Mrk.12:12, Luk.18:7 (Field, Notes, 72), 1Co.5:2, al.; __(e) beginning an apodosis (= Heb. וְ; so sometimes δέ in cl.), then: Luk.2:21, 7:12, Act.1:10; beginning a question (WM, §53, 3a): Mrk.10:26, Luk.10:29, Jhn.9:36. __3. Epexegetic, and, and indeed, namely (WM, §53, 3c): Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:16, Act.23:6, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:5, al. __4. In transition: Mat.4:23, Mrk.5:1, 21, Jhn.1:19, al.; so, Hebraistically, καὶ ἐγένετο (וַי:הִי; also ἐγένετο δέ), Mrk.1:9 (cf. Luk.5:1; V. Burton, §§357-60; M, Pr., 14, 16). __5. καὶ . . . καί, both . . . and (for τε . . . καί, see: τε); __(a) connecting single words: Mat.10:28, Mrk.4:41, Rom.11:33, al.; __(b) clauses and sentences: Mrk.9:13, Jhn.7:28, 1Co.1:22, al. __II. Adjunctive, also, even, still: Mat.5:39, 40; Mrk.2:28, al. mult.; esp. with pron., adv., etc., Mat.20:4, Jhn.7:47, al; ὡς κ., Act.11:17; καθὼς κ., Rom.15:7; οὑτω κ., Rom.6:11; διὸ κ., Luk.1:35; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 313ff.), Act.13:9; pleonastically, μετὰ κ.. (Bl., §77, 7; Deiss., BS, 265f,), Php.4:3; τί κ., 1 Co 15:29; ἀλλὰ κ., Luk.14:22, Jhn.5:18, al.; καίγε (M, Pr., 230; Burton, §437), Act.17:27; καίπερ, Heb.5:8; κ. ἐάν, see: ἐάν. ἐάν, contr. fr. εἰ ἄν, conditional particle, representing something as "under certain circumstances actual or liable to happen," but not so definitely expected as in the case of εἰ with ind. (Bl., §65, 4; cf. Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:36), if haply, if; __1. with subjc. (cl.); __(a) pres.: Mat.6:22, Luk.10:6, Jhn.7:17, Rom.2:25, 26 al.; { __(b) aor. (= Lat. fut. pf.): Mat.4:9 16:26 (cf. ptcp. in Luk.9:25; M, Pr., 230), Mrk.3:24, Luk.14:34, Jhn.5:43, Rom.7:2, al.; = cl. εἰ, with opt., Jhn.9:22 11:57, Act.9:2; as Heb. אִם = ὅταν, Jhn.12:32 14:3, I Jhn.2:28 3:2, Heb.3:7" (LXX) . __2. C. indic, (as in late writers, fr. Arist. on; see WH, App., 171; VD, MGr. 2, App., §77; Deiss., BS, 201f., LAE, 155, 254; M, Pr., 168, 187; Bl., §65, 4); __(a) fut.: Mat.18:19 T, Luk.19:40, Act.7:7; __(b) pres.: 1Th.3:8 (see Milligan, in l.). __3. With other particles: ἐ. καί (Bl., §65, 6), Gal.6:1; ἐ. μή (M, Pr., 185, 187; Bl., l.with), with subjc. pres., Mat.10:13, 1Co.8:8, Jas.2:17, 1Jn.3:21; aor., Mat.6:15, Mrk.3:27, Jhn.3:3, Rom.10:15, Gal.1:8 2:16 (see Lft., Ellic., in ll.); ἐ. τε . . . ἐ. τε, [in LXX for אִם . . . אִם, Est.19:13, al.,] Rom.14:8. __4. = cl. ἄν (which see) after relat. pronouns and adverbs (Tdf., Pr., 96; WH, App., 173; M, Pr., 42f.; Bl., §26, 4; Mayser, 152f.; Deiss., BS, 202ff.): ὃς ἐ., Mat.5:19, Mrk.6:22, 23 Luk.17:32, 1Co.6:18, al.; ὅπου ἐ., Mat.8:19; ὁσάκις ἐ., Rev.11:6; οὗ ἐ., 1Co.16:6; καθὸ ἐ., 2Co.8:12; ὅστις ἐ., Gal.5:10. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

ουκ ou G3756 "no" Particle-N

This is a strong 'no', used to deny something completely. It appears in the New Testament, such as in Matthew 13:29 and John 1:21. It is a negative answer to a question.

Definition: οὐ, before a vowel with smooth breathing οὐκ, before one with rough breathing οὐχ (but improperly οὐχ ἰδού, Act.2:7, WH, mg.; cf. WH, Intr., §409; M, Pr., 44, 244), [in LXX for אֵין ,אַיִן ,לֹא ;] neg. particle, not, no, used generally with indic, and for a denial of fact (cf . μή); __1. absol. (accented), οὔ, no: Mat.13:29 Jhn.1:21 21:5; οὒ οὕ, Mat.5:37 Jas.5:12. __2. Most frequently negativing a verb or other word, Mat.1:25 10:26, 38, Mrk.3:25 9:37, Jhn.8:29, Act.7:5, Rom.1:16, Php.3:3, al.; in litotes, οὐκ ὀλίγοι (i.e. very many), Act.17:4, al.; οὐκ ἄσημος, Act.21:39; πᾶς . . . οὐ, with verb, (like Heb. כֹּל . . . לֹא), no, none, Mat.24:22, Mrk.13:20, Luk.1:37, Eph.5:5, al.; in disjunctive statements, οὐκ . . . ἀλλά, Luk.8:52 Jhn.1:33 Rom.8:2o, al.; with 2 of person(s) fut. (like Heb. לֹא, with impf.), as emphatic prohibition, Mat.4:7, Luk.4:12, Rom.7:7, al. __3. With another negative, __(a) strengthening the negation: Mrk.5:37, Jhn.8:15 12:19, Act.8:39, al.; __(b) making an affirmative: Act.4:20, 1Co.12:15. __4. With other particles: οὐ μή (see: μή); οὐ μηκέτι, Mat.21:19; with μή interrog., Rom.10:18, 1Co.9:4, 5 11:22. __5. Interrogative, expecting an affirmative answer (Lat. nonne): Mat.6:26, Mrk.4:21, Luk.11:40, Jhn.4:35, Rom.9:21, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1410 NT verses. KJV: + long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but See also: 1 Corinthians 1:16; 1 Corinthians 15:32; 1 Peter 1:8.

ισχυσεν ischuō G2480 "be strong" Verb-AAI-3S

To be strong means having physical or inner power, as Jesus showed in Matthew 9:12 and the apostles did in Acts 19:20, where faith made them prevail.

Definition: ἰσχύω (ἰσχύς), [in LXX for חָזַק, גִּבּוֹר, עָצַם, etc. ;] __1. to be strong in body: Mat.9:12, Mrk.2:17. __2. to be powerful, have power, prevail: Act.19:20, Rev.12:8; before κατά, with genitive of person(s), Act.19:16; with inf., to be able (MM, Exp., xv): Mat.8:28 26:40, Mrk.5:4 9:18 (inf. understood) Mrk.14:37, Luk.6:48 8:43 13:24 14:6, 29-30 16:3 20:26, Jhn.21:6, Act.6:10 15:10 25:7 27:16; with accusative, Php.4:13, Jas.5:16; of things, to avail, be serviceable (MM, Exp., l.with): Mat.5:13, Gal.5:6, Heb.9:17 (cf. ἐν-, ἐξ-, ἐπ-, κατ-ισχύω).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 29 NT verses. KJV: be able, avail, can do(-not), could, be good, might, prevail, be of strength, be whole, + much work See also: Acts 6:10; Luke 14:6; Hebrews 9:17.

εκτελεσαι ekteleō G1615 "to finish up" Verb-AAN

To finish something completely, as seen in Luke 14:29-30 where Jesus teaches about completing a tower. This means to bring a task to an end. It involves fully doing what you started.

Definition: ἐκ-τελέω, -ῶ [in LXX: Deu.32:45 (כָּלָה), 2Ch.4:5, (Da TH Dan.3:40), 2Ma.15:9 * ;] to bring to an end, finish, complete: Luk.14:29-30.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2 NT verses. KJV: finish See also: Luke 14:29; Luke 14:30.

Study Notes — Luke 14:30

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Luke 14:30 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Luke 14:30
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Luke 14:30
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Luke 14:30
Ellicott's Commentary on Luke 14:30
Sermons on Luke 14:30

Context — The Cost of Discipleship

28Which 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? 29Otherwise, if he lays the foundation and is unable to finish the work, everyone who sees it will ridicule him,

30saying, ‘This man could not finish what he started to build.’

31Or 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? 32And if he is unable, he will send a delegation while the other king is still far off, to ask for terms of peace.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Hebrews 6:11	We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure.
2	2 John 1:8	Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be fully rewarded.
3	1 Corinthians 3:11–14	For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward.
4	Hebrews 6:4–8	It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age— and then have fallen away—to be restored to repentance, because they themselves are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting Him to open shame. For land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is tended receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless, and its curse is imminent. In the end it will be burned.
5	2 Peter 2:19–22	They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves to depravity. For a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. If indeed they have escaped the corruption of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, only to be entangled and overcome by it again, their final condition is worse than it was at first. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than to have known it and then to turn away from the holy commandment passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.”
6	Hebrews 10:38	But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he shrinks back, I will take no pleasure in him.”
7	Acts 1:18–19	(Now with the reward for his wickedness Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong and burst open in the middle, and all his intestines spilled out. This became known to all who lived in Jerusalem, so they called that field in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)
8	Matthew 27:3–8	When Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was filled with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said. “What is that to us?” they replied. “You bear the responsibility.” So Judas threw the silver into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. The chief priests picked up the pieces of silver and said, “It is unlawful to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.” After conferring together, they used the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day.
9	Matthew 7:27	The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its collapse!”

Luke 14:30 Summary

[This verse is saying that if someone starts a project but can't finish it, people will make fun of them. Jesus is teaching us to think carefully before we start something new, to make sure we have what it takes to see it through, as He also teaches in Luke 14:28. This is an important lesson for all of us, to consider our abilities and resources before starting something, and to be mindful of the potential consequences of not following through, as warned in Matthew 25:14-30.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main point of Luke 14:30?

The main point of Luke 14:30 is to illustrate the importance of considering one's abilities and resources before starting a project, as seen in the context of Luke 14:28-29, where Jesus teaches about counting the cost before building a tower.

Why is it significant that people would ridicule the man who could not finish what he started to build?

The ridicule mentioned in Luke 14:30 serves as a warning to carefully consider one's actions, as also seen in Proverbs 10:5, where it is written that a wise son makes his father glad, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother, highlighting the importance of wise decision-making.

How does this verse relate to my own life and decisions?

This verse encourages you to reflect on your own goals and ambitions, considering whether you have the necessary resources and abilities to see them through, as taught in Luke 14:28, and to be mindful of the potential consequences of not following through on your commitments, as warned in Matthew 25:14-30.

What can I learn from the example of the man who started to build but could not finish?

The example in Luke 14:30 teaches the importance of humility and self-awareness, recognizing one's limitations and being willing to adjust plans accordingly, as seen in the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30, where the servants who were faithful with what they were given were rewarded.

Reflection Questions

What are some areas in my life where I may be attempting to build something without considering the cost or my own limitations?
How can I apply the principle of counting the cost to my own decision-making processes, as taught in Luke 14:28-30?
What are some potential consequences of not finishing what I start, and how can I avoid these outcomes?
In what ways can I demonstrate wisdom and responsibility in my own pursuits, as encouraged in Proverbs 10:5 and Luke 14:28-30?

Gill's Exposition on Luke 14:30

Saying, this man began to build,.... He set out well, he promised great things, and made a considerable bluster and stir, as if he would carry things at once to a very high pitch: and was not able to

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Luke 14:30

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

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Luke 14:30

See Poole on ""

Ellicott's Commentary on Luke 14:30

(28-30) Which of you, intending to build a tower . .?—The words do not depend for their meaning on any local or personal allusion, but it is quite possible that their force may have been heightened for those who heard them by the memory of recent facts. Pilate had begun to build—certainly an aqueduct, probably a tower—and had not been able to finish. (See Notes on Luke 13:4; Matthew 27:16.) He had not “counted the cost,” and when he was hindered from laying hands on the Corban, or treasure of the Temple, his resources failed.

Sermons on Luke 14:30

	Sermon	Description
	The Path to Hope by David Wilkerson	This sermon focuses on the path to hope as outlined in Romans 5, emphasizing the importance of being justified by faith and having peace with God. It highlights the role of tribula
	Abounding Hope by Alan Martin	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of holding fast to hope in order to strengthen one's soul. He compares the value of a diamond to the value of a mature, consis
	Persevering to Inheriting the Promise by Alan Martin	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of crying out to God when facing temptation and suffering. He highlights that God is ever-present and ready to come to our ai
	Hopeful or Hopless by Tim Conway	This sermon emphasizes the importance of rejoicing in hope, focusing on the future glory that awaits believers in heaven. It highlights the distinction between worldly hopes and th
	Hebrews Chapter 5 by Chip Brogden	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the danger of getting caught up in different religious systems that distract from a true relationship with Jesus Christ. The speaker shares an
	The Cross of Christ by Rolfe Barnard	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of having true assurance of salvation. He uses the example of Judas, one of Jesus' disciples, who betrayed him despite being
	(Where Is the Church Going) 1. Where Is the Church Going? by Miki Hardy	In this sermon, the preacher expresses his concern about the direction of the church today. He believes that the church is not shining a light in the world as it should. He critici