The Parables of Jesus

The Parable of the Invited Guests

Luke 14:7-14 ^NLT

Luke 14:7 

“When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice:....”

            We see from the first verse of chapter 14 that Jesus went to dine at the home of a leader of the Pharisees. He incorporated 3 different elements in his visit: a healing, a conversation, and a parable. The discussion leads to the cost of discipleship and how we should treat those less fortunate.

Jesus had noticed that all the invited guests took seats in places of honor near the head of the table and offered this advice: let yourself be placed in a seat of honor, rather than sitting there yourself. This is because if someone comes in after you that is deemed more important you may be asked to move, which would be humiliating for you who took it upon yourself to sit in the high place. 

The setting would have been a series of couches low to the floor that guests could recline on, two to a couch. It was typically formed in the shape of a ‘U’ with the host seated at the apex of the ‘U’. The most important guests sat nearest the host. His statement regarding choosing the seats closest to the host was to introduce the Kingdom principle “those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”(v.11)

Jesus then speaks directly to the host, saying that he shouldn’t invite people close to him who will pay him back with like kindness, but rather invite those who cannot repay him, such as the infirmed and the indigent*. This statement highlights his concern for those who are impoverished and ill as also shown in Luke 4:18 & 6:20-21... “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free....” and “Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said, ’God blesses you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours. God blesses you who are hungry now, for you will be satisfied. God blesses you who weep now, for in due time you will laugh.” Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In his name & for his glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: Expositor's Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition): New Testament, Copyright 2004.

* Indigent = poor