Luke 14

Christ cureth one that had dropsy on the Sabbath and justifies the same 7 reproves the ambition of the Pharisees seeking the foremost seats in the feasts and exhorteth the humility liberality towards the poor 15 by the similitude of the great supper whereunto the invited excuse themselves from coming he upbraids the Jews with their gratitude and foretells their rejection and the calling of the Gentiles in their room 25 teacheth that he that be his disciples must deny himself and all that he is dear to him 28 by the example of one that would build a tower and a king that would go to battle against another king and exhorts his disciples to cast up their accounts well before hand 34 and teacheth that unfavoury salt is profitable for nothing

1. And it came to pass when he was come into the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees [that is a ruler of the Jews of the sect of the Pharisees as also Nicodemus was John 3:1] on the Sabbath to eat bread that they observed him [namely whether he would say or do anything that they might reprehend him]

2. And behold there was a certain man that had dropsy before him

3. And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyer [or the lawyer see Matthew2.4 and Luke 11:45] and Pharisees and said it is also lawful to heal on the Sabbath?

4. They held their peace and he took him and healed him and let him go

5. And he answering and said whose ass or ox shall fall into a pit and which shall not straightway draw him out of the Sabbath day ?

6. And they could not answer him again thereunto?

7. And he spake to the invited [Gr called namely to the feast so also in the following] a similitude [namely thereby to exhort them to true humility before God and man as may be seen verse 11]observing how they chose the chief seat saying unto them .

8. When thou shall be hidden of any man to a wedding set not thy self in the first place least perhaps a worthier then thou [that is worthy of more honor or more respect]be forbidden of him

9. And he coming who invited thee and he say unto thee give this man place and then thou shouldst begin with shame to keep the last place

10. But when thou shall be invited go thy way and set thee in the last place that when he cometh that inviteth thee he say unto thee friend go up higher [Gr ascend higher]then shall it be honor to the before those that sit down with thee

11. For everyone that exalteth himself shall be brought low and that he humbled himself shall be exalted

12. And he said also to him that had hidden him thou shalt make a dinner or a supper call not thy friends nor thy brethren nor thy kinsmen nor thy rich neighbour [namely forgetting the poor and if thou wilt expect recompence from God as Christ expresseth verse 14 otherwise it is not unlawful to shew this curesy to our friends also see Genesis 21:8 and chapter 43 .25&c Job 1:4] left at any time the same also invite thee again and recompense be made thee

13. But when thou shalt make a feast invite the poor maimed [or defective of members] cripples blind

14. And thou shalt be blessed because they have not recompense thee for it shall be recompensed unto thee [namely by God of grace of this recompense see Matthew 25:26] in the resurrection of the just [namely to eternal life for otherwise the unjust also shall be raised up but to everlasting condemnation Daniel 12:2 Job 5.29 Acts 24:15]

15. And when one of them that sate at meat with, heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that eateth the bread [Or shall eat] in the Kingdome of God.

16. But he said unto him, A certain man prepared [Gr. made. By this similitude Christ sheweth that although these men seemed greatly to esteem the kingdom of God; yet notwithstanding, they and many others had these temporal things so rooted in their hearts , they despised or neglected the same] a great Supper, and he invited many.

17. And he sent forth his servant at the house of the supper, to say to the invited, come for all things are now readie.

18. And they all began unanimously, [Gr. out of one, i.e. out of one heart or mouth; for although they pretend severrall causes of refusal, yet they all excecute themselves from their temporal things] to excecute (themselves) The first said unto him, Ihave brought a field, and it is needful that I go forth and view it: I pray thee hold me for excused.

19. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, [That is, pair or couple] and Igo to prove them; I pray thee hold me excused.

20. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore Cannot come.

21. And that servant being come (again) told his Lord these things. Then the Lord of the house was wroth. [Hereby is not given to understand that to buy a field, oxen, or such like goods , or to marry a wifeshould be unlawfull. 1. Cor. 7.29. But the Lord is therefore worth, that the Jews by these temporall things suffered themselves to be hindred from embracing the doctrine of the gospel. Wherefore he also rejected them and called the Gentiles in their room] and said to his servants. Goout speedily unto the streets and houses of the Citie, and bring in hither the poor and maimed, and cripples. And blind.

22. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded; and yet there is place:

23. And the Lord said to the servant , Go out into the wayes and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be full. [Namely,with earnest and continual urging, 2.Tim. 4.2. See the like, Genesis 33:11. Luke 24:29.]

24. For I say unto you, that none of those men thet were hidden, [Namely, and refused to come] shall taste of my supper.

25. And many multitudes went with him, and turning him about said unto them,

26. If any man come unto me, and hate not his father and his mother, and wife and children, and brethren and sisters, [That is, he loves the same more then me, as it is expounded: Matth. 10.37.] yea, and his own life also, [Gr. soule, as Matth. 16.25.] he cannot be my disciple.

27. And he that beareth his thy cross,[That is, he that is not minded and ready, after mine example ,and for my sake, to suffer persecution and affliction.] and followeth after me, [Gr. cometh after me] he cannot be my disciple.

28. For which of you intending to build a Tower , sitteth not down first, and counteth the costs, [Or considereth, casteth up, as used to be done with counters] whether or not he hath that which is (needful) to the perfecting of it.

29. Lest perhaps when he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that see it begin to mock him.

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

31. Or what King going to war, to fight against another King, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand men to meet him, which cometh against him with twenty thousand?

32. Otherwise, he sendeth forth Ambassandours while he yet afarre off, and desireth with that which (tends) to peace.

33. So therefore everyone of you, that forsaketh not all that he hath, [Gr. bids farewell to all. i.e. is not ready it need be forsake all and follow me. See Luke 9:61. and here verse 27.] he cannot be my disciple.

34. Salt is good, but if the salt be become unsavory, [Or is become foolish. See Matth. 5.13.] wherewith shall it be made savorie?

35. It [Namely, salt being spoyled. See M ark 9.50.] is fit neither for the land, nor for the dung hill: men cast it away. [Gr. without] He that hath ears to hear let him hear