Counting the Cost of Discipleship

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Luke 14 follows Jesus’ growing ministry of teaching and miracles, where opposition from religious leaders intensifies. Previously, Jesus healed and taught about the kingdom, confronting Pharisees and crowds alike. This chapter captures a moment in a Pharisee’s house, illustrating the tension between Jesus’ kingdom values and the religious establishment. Understanding the cultural importance of Sabbath laws and social customs helps reveal why Jesus’ actions and teachings here were both provocative and transformative.

What You'll Learn

• How Jesus redefines Sabbath observance by prioritizing mercy and healing over legalism.
• The importance of humility in social and spiritual settings as a reflection of kingdom values.
• God’s invitation extends especially to the marginalized, promising eternal reward beyond earthly repayment.
• The parable of the great supper illustrates the rejection of God’s offer by many and the inclusion of the humble and needy.
• True discipleship requires counting the cost, including forsaking earthly ties and bearing one’s cross.
• The metaphor of salt challenges believers to maintain their distinctiveness and effectiveness in the world.

Jesus calls His followers to humble, costly discipleship that embraces God’s kingdom values above worldly priorities.

Bible Translation Note: All Scripture on this page is quoted from the King James Version (KJV) and presented in full without alteration.

Luke 14:1 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.

Luke 14:2 And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy.

Luke 14:3 And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?

Luke 14:4 And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go;

Luke 14:5 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?

Luke 14:6 And they could not answer him again to these things.

Luke 14:7 And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them,

Luke 14:8 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;

Luke 14:9 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.

Luke 14:10 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.

Luke 14:11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Luke 14:12 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.

Luke 14:13 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:

Luke 14:14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.

Luke 14:15 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.

Luke 14:16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:

Luke 14:17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.

Luke 14:18 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.

Luke 14:19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.

Luke 14:20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.

Luke 14:21 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.

Luke 14:22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.

Luke 14:23 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.

Luke 14:24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.

Luke 14:25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,

Luke 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

Luke 14:27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

Luke 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

Luke 14:29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,

Luke 14:30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

Luke 14:31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?

Luke 14:32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.

Luke 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

Luke 14:34 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?

Luke 14:35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Luke 14:1

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.

Study: Jesus entering the house of a chief Pharisee on the Sabbath sets the stage for a confrontation between His kingdom mission and Pharisaic legalism. The Pharisees' watchfulness reveals their suspicion and desire to trap Him, highlighting the tension between Jesus’ healing ministry and rigid Sabbath observance.

Luke 14:2

And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy.

Study: The man with dropsy, a condition causing severe swelling, represents those in need of healing and mercy. Placing him before Jesus in this setting challenges the Pharisees’ interpretation of Sabbath laws, underscoring Jesus’ focus on compassion over ritual purity.

Luke 14:3

And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?

Study: Jesus’ question about the lawfulness of healing on the Sabbath directly confronts the Pharisees’ legalistic mindset. By addressing the lawyers and Pharisees, He exposes their hardness of heart and invites them to reconsider the true purpose of the Sabbath as a day for restoration.

Luke 14:4

And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go;

Study: The silence of the Pharisees in response to Jesus’ question reveals their inability to justify legalism over mercy. Jesus’ immediate healing of the man demonstrates His authority and the priority of human need, illustrating God’s heart for restoration even on the Sabbath.

Luke 14:5

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?

Study: Jesus uses a practical example of rescuing an animal on the Sabbath to highlight the inconsistency in Pharisaic rules. This analogy exposes their hypocrisy and reminds them that mercy and necessity rightly override ceremonial restrictions.

Luke 14:6

And they could not answer him again to these things.

Study: The Pharisees’ inability to answer Jesus’ challenge shows their defeat in this debate and exposes the emptiness of their legalism. This moment underscores Jesus’ wisdom and authority in teaching God’s true intentions for the law.

Luke 14:7

And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them,

Study: Observing guests choosing places of honor, Jesus introduces a parable to teach humility. This setting reflects cultural norms where social status was publicly displayed, and Jesus uses this to reveal kingdom values that invert worldly honor.

Luke 14:8

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;

Study: Jesus advises against taking the highest seat to avoid public embarrassment, teaching prudence and humility. This instruction challenges pride and encourages a posture that welcomes God’s elevation rather than self-exaltation.

Luke 14:9

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.

Study: The scenario of being asked to move to a lower place illustrates the shame of misplaced pride. Jesus highlights the social risk of self-exaltation and the wisdom of humility to avoid disgrace.

Luke 14:10

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.

Study: Choosing the lowest seat invites the host to honor the guest publicly, teaching that humility leads to true exaltation. This principle reflects God’s kingdom where the last are made first, encouraging believers to trust God’s timing for honor.

Luke 14:11

For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Study: This proverb summarizes the parable’s teaching: self-exaltation leads to humiliation, while humility brings exaltation. It echoes Jesus’ broader message about the reversal of worldly values in God’s kingdom.

Luke 14:12

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.

Study: Jesus instructs hosts to invite those who cannot repay, challenging social reciprocity norms. This command promotes generosity rooted in grace rather than expectation, reflecting God’s unconditional love.

Luke 14:13

But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:

Study: Inviting the poor, maimed, lame, and blind emphasizes inclusion of society’s marginalized. This reflects God’s heart for the outcast and the radical nature of kingdom hospitality.

Luke 14:14

And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.

Study: The promise of blessing and resurrection reward for inviting those who cannot repay points to eternal rather than earthly recompense. This shifts motivation from human approval to divine blessing.

Luke 14:15

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.

Study: A guest’s remark about eating bread in God’s kingdom expresses longing for ultimate fellowship with God. Jesus uses this to introduce a parable about God’s invitation and human response.

Luke 14:16

Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:

Study: The parable of the great supper symbolizes God’s generous invitation to salvation. The host represents God, and the supper readiness signals the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan.

Luke 14:17

And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.

Study: Sending the servant at supper time shows the urgency and readiness of God’s kingdom invitation. It highlights God’s initiative in calling people to Himself.

Luke 14:18

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.

Study: The invited guests’ excuses reveal human priorities that reject God’s call. Their reasons reflect common distractions that hinder wholehearted commitment to God.

Luke 14:19

And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.

Study: The excuse of testing oxen shows how economic concerns can become idols, displacing God’s kingdom. It illustrates the challenge of trusting God over material security.

Luke 14:20

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

Study: Marriage as an excuse reflects how even good things can compete with God’s call when they become ultimate priorities. This warns against divided loyalties.

Luke 14:21

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.

Study: The master’s anger and command to invite the poor and disabled show God’s judgment on rejection and His grace toward the marginalized. It underscores God’s inclusive kingdom.

Luke 14:22

And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.

Study: The servant’s report that there is still room emphasizes God’s abundant grace and desire for all to come. It encourages persistence in evangelism.

Luke 14:23

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.

Study: The command to compel those on highways and hedges illustrates the urgency and expansiveness of God’s invitation. It reflects the mission to reach beyond the initial circle.

Luke 14:24

For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.

Study: The pronouncement that the original invitees will not taste the supper warns of the consequences of rejecting God’s call. It highlights the seriousness of responding to God’s invitation.

Luke 14:25

And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,

Study: The great multitudes following Jesus show His growing influence and the diverse crowd drawn to His teaching. His turning to them signals a shift to direct teaching on discipleship.

Luke 14:26

If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

Study: Jesus’ call to ‘hate’ family and even life expresses the radical priority of allegiance to Him over all else. This hyperbolic language stresses the cost of discipleship and the need for undivided loyalty.

Luke 14:27

And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

Study: Bearing one’s cross symbolizes accepting suffering and death for Christ’s sake. Jesus makes clear that discipleship involves sacrifice and perseverance, not mere profession.

Luke 14:28

For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

Study: The example of counting the cost before building a tower teaches the necessity of careful commitment in following Jesus. It encourages thoughtful, intentional discipleship.

Luke 14:29

Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,

Study: The warning about shame from unfinished work highlights the consequences of incomplete commitment. It calls believers to faithful endurance.

Luke 14:30

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

Study: The mockery of an unfinished builder illustrates how public failure can discredit a cause. This underscores the importance of steadfastness in the Christian life.

Luke 14:31

Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?

Study: The king’s war counsel shows strategic planning and prudence, paralleling the need for wisdom in spiritual commitment. It teaches that discipleship requires forethought and resolve.

Luke 14:32

Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.

Study: Seeking conditions of peace before battle reflects wise negotiation, symbolizing the need to understand the cost and challenges of following Christ. It encourages realistic preparation.

Luke 14:33

So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

Study: Forsaking all possessions to be Jesus’ disciple reveals the total surrender required. This radical call emphasizes that nothing should rival devotion to Christ.

Luke 14:34

Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?

Study: Salt’s goodness symbolizes the believer’s preserving and flavoring role in the world. Losing saltiness warns against spiritual compromise and ineffectiveness.

Luke 14:35

It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Study: Being cast out as useless salt illustrates the fate of those who fail to live distinctively for God. Jesus’ call to hear challenges believers to maintain their witness and faithfulness.

Luke 14 presents Jesus teaching on the true nature of the kingdom of God through healing, parables, and direct challenges to His followers. He confronts legalism by healing on the Sabbath, teaches humility in social settings, and reveals God’s inclusive invitation to salvation. The chapter culminates in a call to costly discipleship, emphasizing the need to prioritize Christ above all and to count the cost of following Him. The imagery of salt reminds believers to remain faithful and effective in their witness.

Lord Jesus, help me to embrace the humility and wholehearted commitment You require. Teach me to value Your kingdom above earthly honors and possessions. Strengthen me to bear my cross daily and to live as salt and light in this world. May I respond to Your invitation with faith and obedience, trusting in Your promise of eternal reward. Amen.

• Pray daily for a humble heart that seeks God’s honor above personal recognition.
• Memorize Luke 14:27 and meditate on what it means to bear your cross.
• Invite someone marginalized or in need to share a meal or fellowship with you.
• Reflect in a journal on areas where worldly attachments hinder your discipleship.
• Read Luke 14 aloud and identify how Jesus’ teachings challenge your current lifestyle.
• Confess any pride or divided loyalties and ask God for a renewed commitment.
• Worship God for His grace in calling you to His kingdom and sustaining you.

Luke 14 reveals the heart of Jesus’ call to discipleship marked by humility, mercy, and total commitment. Through healing, parables, and direct teaching, Jesus challenges believers to reorder their priorities, embrace the cost of following Him, and live as faithful representatives of God’s kingdom in the world.

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