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In this lesson:
Healing on the Sabbath. A lesson on humility. An important word in this segment is "bidden." Remember this word as you study this passage. Study Tip: The most crucial step in Bible study is applying what you learn to your life. It is not enough to believe in Jesus, you must change your way of thinking and your behavior. |
By an unknown artist
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The Gospel According to St. Luke
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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Luke 14:1-24
Healing, teaching, and a parable 1 And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him. 2 And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy. 3 And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day? 4 And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go; 5 And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day? 6 And they could not answer him again to these things. 7 And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them. 8 When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; 9 And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. 10 But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. 11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. 12 Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. 13 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: 14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. 15 And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. 16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: 17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. 19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. 20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. 21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. 22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. 23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper. |
Margin notes:
"He went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread." (14:1) - Pharisees' frequently invited Jesus to dinner (Luke 7:36; 11:37). "Dropsy." (14:2) - A painful swelling caused by a buildup of fluid in the body, also called edema. "Lawyers." (4:3) - "Scribes." Scribes were experts on Jewish law and the Old Testament prophecies. "Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath?" (14:3) - This was not the only time Jesus healed on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:13). On at least six other occasions, Jesus upset the Pharisees by healing on the Sabbath (Mark 1:21-27; 1:29-31; Luke 13:10-17; 14:1-6; John 5:1-18; 9:1-16). "Ass or an ox fallen into a pit." (14:5) - According to Deuteronomy 22:4, Jews were expected to help get an animal out of a pit. "Straightway." (14:5) - "Immediately." "A parable to those which were bidden." (14:7) - "A parable to those who were invited." "He marked how they chose out the chief rooms." (14:7) - "He noticed how they sought out the choice seats." "Then shalt thou have worship." (14:10) - "Then, you will be honored." "Friend, go up higher." (14:10) - This lesson in humility is similar to the one found in Proverbs 25:6-7. Remember, the meek "shall inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5). "At meat." (14:10) - "At the table." "Whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased." (14:11) - "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled." Jesus' vital teaching on humility is also found in the Old Testament (Proverbs 29:23; Ezekiel 21:26). Jesus reinforces it in Matthew 23:12, Luke 13:30, 18:14 and again in 1 Peter 5:5-6. "Recompense." (14:12) - 'Repayment." "There is no virtue in entertaining those whom you expect to return the favor. Rather spend the effort on those who can do nothing for you." (Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; page 512) "Eat bread in the kingdom of God." (14:15) - This verse is reminiscent of Isaiah 25:6 and Revelation 19:7-9,where God's kingdom is described as a feast. "With one consent." (14:18) - "All alike." "I go to prove them." (14:19) - "I'm going to try them out." "I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot." (14:20) - A newlywed man was excused from business and social obligations for one year Deuteronomy 24:5). "Shewed his lord." (14:21) - "Told his master." "Compel them to come." (14:23) - "Encourage them to come." |
There is a similar parable in Matthew 22:2-14 (lesson 44).
New Living Translation
Luke 14:1-24
Jesus Heals on the Sabbath
1 One Sabbath day Jesus went to eat dinner in the home of a leader of the Pharisees, and the people were watching him closely.
2 There was a man there whose arms and legs were swollen.
3 Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in religious law, "Is it permitted in the law to heal people on the Sabbath day, or not?"
4 When they refused to answer, Jesus touched the sick man and healed him and sent him away.
5 Then he turned to them and said, "Which of you doesn't work on the Sabbath? If your son or your cow falls into a pit, don't you rush to get him out?"
6 Again they could not answer.
Jesus Teaches about Humility
7 When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice:
8 "When you are invited to a wedding feast, don't sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited?
9 The host will come and say, 'Give this person your seat.' Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table!
10 "Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, 'Friend, we have a better place for you!' Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests.
11 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."
12 Then he turned to his host. "When you put on a luncheon or a banquet," he said, "don't invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward.
13 Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.
14 Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you."
Parable of the Great Feast
15 Hearing this, a man sitting at the table with Jesus exclaimed, "What a blessing it will be to attend a banquet in the Kingdom of God!"
16 Jesus replied with this story: "A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations.
17 When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests, 'Come, the banquet is ready.'
18 But they all began making excuses. One said, 'I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.'
19 Another said, 'I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.'
20 Another said, 'I now have a wife, so I can't come.'
21 "The servant returned and told his master what they had said. His master was furious and said, 'Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.'
22 After the servant had done this, he reported, 'There is still room for more.'
23 So his master said, 'Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full.
24 For none of those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet."
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Jesus Heals on the Sabbath
1 One Sabbath day Jesus went to eat dinner in the home of a leader of the Pharisees, and the people were watching him closely.
2 There was a man there whose arms and legs were swollen.
3 Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in religious law, "Is it permitted in the law to heal people on the Sabbath day, or not?"
4 When they refused to answer, Jesus touched the sick man and healed him and sent him away.
5 Then he turned to them and said, "Which of you doesn't work on the Sabbath? If your son or your cow falls into a pit, don't you rush to get him out?"
6 Again they could not answer.
Jesus Teaches about Humility
7 When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice:
8 "When you are invited to a wedding feast, don't sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited?
9 The host will come and say, 'Give this person your seat.' Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table!
10 "Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, 'Friend, we have a better place for you!' Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests.
11 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."
12 Then he turned to his host. "When you put on a luncheon or a banquet," he said, "don't invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward.
13 Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.
14 Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you."
Parable of the Great Feast
15 Hearing this, a man sitting at the table with Jesus exclaimed, "What a blessing it will be to attend a banquet in the Kingdom of God!"
16 Jesus replied with this story: "A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations.
17 When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests, 'Come, the banquet is ready.'
18 But they all began making excuses. One said, 'I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.'
19 Another said, 'I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.'
20 Another said, 'I now have a wife, so I can't come.'
21 "The servant returned and told his master what they had said. His master was furious and said, 'Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.'
22 After the servant had done this, he reported, 'There is still room for more.'
23 So his master said, 'Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full.
24 For none of those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet."
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy. And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day? And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go." (14:2-4)
"But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just." (14:13-14)
"But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just." (14:13-14)
Today's Question:
1. What does the parable of the Great Feast mean? (14:15-24)
Feel free to forward these lessons to others.
1. What does the parable of the Great Feast mean? (14:15-24)
Feel free to forward these lessons to others.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. In this parable, the banquet represents the kingdom of God. In biblical times it was common practice to pre-invite guests to a feast long before the actual celebration. A second invitation was sent on the day of the banquet to announce that everything was ready. Jesus used this well-known custom to make a point. Just as the guests in the parable of the Great Feast, Israel was pre-invited to God's heavenly banquet via the Old Testament. Israel accepted Gods invitation and followed the Mosaic Law. But when everything was prepared and the Messiah arrived, Israel declined the second invite. So God sent another invitation. This one to "the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind" (14:21). Even then, there was still room at the feast, so God sent a third invitation to "the highways and hedges" (those outside Judaism, i.e., Gentiles). The parable of the Great Feast teaches us that God loves and wants to save all of us, Jew and Gentile.
Although there is still room at God's banquet in heaven (14:22) and time to accept His invitation, the day will come when it is too late.
Application thought for the day:
You've been invited by God. Have you accepted His invitation?
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; "The Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies"; "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course, the "King James Bible". All were critical in putting these lessons together.
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© 2026 evolke