25 And there were going on with him great multitudes, and having turned, he said unto them, 26 'If any one doth come unto me, and doth not hate his own father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers, and sisters, and yet even his own life, he is not able to be my disciple; 27 and whoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, is not able to be my disciple. 28 'For who of you, willing to build a tower, doth not first, having sat down, count the expense, whether he have the things for completing? 29 lest that he having laid a foundation, and not being able to finish, all who are beholding may begin to mock him, 30 saying—This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31 'Or what king going on to engage with another king in war, doth not, having sat down, first consult if he be able with ten thousand to meet him who with twenty thousand is coming against him? 32 and if not so—he being yet a long way off—having sent an embassy, he doth ask the things for peace. 33 'So, then, every one of you who doth not take leave of all that he himself hath, is not able to be my disciple.
34 'The salt 'is' good, but if the salt doth become tasteless, with what shall it be seasoned? 35 neither for land nor for manure is it fit—they cast it without. He who is having ears to hear—let him hear.'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 14:25-35
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.