Bible Commentaries

To eat bread; to dine or to sup. This seems to have been an entertainment where there were many invited guests; as appears from allusions in Luke 14:3,7,12,15, &c. The whole conversation takes its turn from the circumstances of the occasion; the images and illustrations being drawn from entertainments and invitations to guests.

To a wedding; a wedding feast.--Room; place.

Then shalt thou have worship, &c. This shows that it was not our Savior's design, in these instructions, to teach men to be indifferent to the respect and honorable regard of their fellow-men, but to show them the true way to attain it,--namely, by modest and unassuming deportment, and by treating others with respect.

Luke 14:12-14. That is, the kindness and hospitality, which the wealthy have it in their power to bestow, are not to be regarded as Christian virtues, except when they are rendered to those who cannot make any return.

A great supper. This supper represents the kingdom of God, to which the guest had alluded, in the Luke 14:15; so that the parable is a rejoinder to his remark; and is intended to show that the Jews, who were first invited, would reject the blessedness, which this guest had spoken of, and that then the invitation would be extended to other nations.--Bade; invited.

Hate not his father, &c.; be not willing to give up his dearest earthly friends.

Build a tower; commence any great undertaking.

Mock him; ridicule him.

And, therefore, whoever will become the disciple of Christ, must consider how much is involved in the change.

Salt, without its savor, denotes the form and semblance of piety without its spirit.