16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:
16 Jesus replied: "A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests.
16 But he said to him, "A man once gave a great banquet and invited many.
16 Jesus followed up. "Yes. For there was once a man who threw a great dinner party and invited many.
16 Then He said to him, "A certain man gave a great supper and invited many,
16 Jesus replied with this story: "A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 14:16
Commentary on Luke 14:15-24
(Read Luke 14:15-24)
In this parable observe the free grace and mercy of God shining in the gospel of Christ, which will be food and a feast for the soul of a man that knows its own wants and miseries. All found some pretence to put off their attendance. This reproves the Jewish nation for their neglect of the offers of Christ's grace. It shows also the backwardness there is to close with the gospel call. The want of gratitude in those who slight gospel offers, and the contempt put upon the God of heaven thereby, justly provoke him. The apostles were to turn to the Gentiles, when the Jews refused the offer; and with them the church was filled. The provision made for precious souls in the gospel of Christ, has not been made in vain; for if some reject, others will thankfully accept the offer. The very poor and low in the world, shall be as welcome to Christ as the rich and great; and many times the gospel has the greatest success among those that labour under worldly disadvantages and bodily infirmities. Christ's house shall at last be filled; it will be so when the number of the elect is completed.