16 But He said to him, " A man was giving a big dinner , and he invited many ; 17 and at the dinner hour he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited , 'Come ; for everything is ready now .' 18 "But they all alike e began to make excuses . The first one said to him, 'I have bought a piece of land and I need to go out and look at it; please consider me excused .' 19 "Another one said , 'I have bought five yoke of oxen , and I am going to try them out; please consider me excused .' 20 "Another one said , ' I have married a wife , and for that reason I cannot e come .' 21 "And the slave came back and reported this to his master . Then the head of the household became angry and said to his slave , 'Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the city and bring in here the poor and crippled and blind and lame .' 22 "And the slave said , 'Master , what you commanded has been done , and still there is room .' 23 "And the master said to the slave , 'Go out into the highways and along the hedges , and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled . 24 'For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste of my dinner .' "
25 Now large crowds were going along with Him; and He turned and said to them, 26 " If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters , yes , and even his own life , he cannot e be My disciple . 27 "Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot e be My disciple .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 14:16-27
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.
Commentary on Luke 14:25-35
(Read Luke 14:25-35)
Though the disciples of Christ are not all crucified, yet they all bear their cross, and must bear it in the way of duty. Jesus bids them count upon it, and then consider of it. Our Saviour explains this by two similitudes; the former showing that we must consider the expenses of our religion; the latter, that we must consider the perils of it. Sit down and count the cost; consider it will cost the mortifying of sin, even the most beloved lusts. The proudest and most daring sinner cannot stand against God, for who knows the power of his anger? It is our interest to seek peace with him, and we need not send to ask conditions of peace, they are offered to us, and are highly to our advantage. In some way a disciple of Christ will be put to the trial. May we seek to be disciples indeed, and be careful not to grow slack in our profession, or afraid of the cross; that we may be the good salt of the earth, to season those around us with the savour of Christ.