ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Luke 14

Luke 14:2 dropsy. Probably excess bodily fluid.

Luke 14:3 Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not? Compare 6:9; 13:16. See note on Matt. 12:9–10.

Luke 14:6 could not reply. Jesus has answered the Pharisees’ objections, and yet they will not believe in him.

Luke 14:7–11 will be humbled . . . will be exalted (compare 18:14). Sometimes this happens in this life, but it will take place most fully at the final judgment (James 4:10; 1 Pet. 5:5–6).

Luke 14:12–14 invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind. Followers of Jesus should be generous toward those who are physically impaired or poor.

Luke 14:15 In the kingdom of God points to the future messianic banquet, which Jesus’ hearers would have seen as being for godly Jews only. Jesus, however, uses the parable to teach that the guests invited originally will miss the banquet and will be replaced by outsiders (v. 24).

Luke 14:16–20 A great banquet refers to the arrival of the kingdom in Jesus’ ministry. invited many. Two invitations would have been involved. The first one, reservations for the banquet, would have been given well in advance. The second invitation would have been sent on the day of the banquet, announcing that the time for the banquet had come and everything was ready. Although the guests had been invited well in advance, they began to make excuses. The people failed to see that the kingdom is now here, and that God is inviting people to participate in its great blessings. bought a field . . . bought five yoke of oxen . . . have married a wife. These people have put the business of everyday life ahead of the claims of God and his kingdom (see 9:59–62; 12:22–31).

Luke 14:21–24 Streets and lanes within the city were where the outcasts would be found (the poor, crippled, blind, and lame; v. 13). The highways and hedges, outside the city, represent Gentiles being invited into the kingdom.

Luke 14:26–27 If anyone comes to me. Those who would be Christ’s disciples must (1) love their family less than they love Christ (hate; compare Matt. 10:37); (2) bear his own cross and follow Christ (Luke 14:27); and (3) “renounce all” (v. 33).

Luke 14:28–32 Two illustrations warn against making a hasty decision to follow Jesus (compare 8:15; 21:19).

Luke 14:33 See note on vv. 26–27. Compare 5:11; 28; 12:33; 18:22.

Luke 14:34 if salt has lost its taste. Most salt came from the Dead Sea and contained impurities. If not processed properly, it would have a poor taste and be unusable for food. If the conditions of discipleship (vv. 26–27, 33) are not kept, the disciples likewise will become worthless (compare Rev. 3:15–17).