Luke 13:1 ¶ There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
Luke 13:2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?
Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
This chapter opens continuing in context from the previous chapter which ended talking about accountability and judgment. Some who were present brought up an incident in which Pilate had executed some men from Galilee who were offering sacrifices in the Temple. Although research produced no historical account of this particular incident, I did find several sources referencing a historical account in which Pilate had his soldiers kill a group of Jews who were demonstrating against his use of Temple funds to build an aqueduct. So, the incident related here would be in line with Pilate’s treatment of the Jewish people.
Jesus understood that those relating the incident were connecting the fate of the people who were killed with accountability to God and His judgment. He basically said that there was no connection between their sin and what befell them and that those listening to Him would just as surely perish if they did not repent of their sins. In other words, all are sinners and all will perish in their sin if they don’t repent.
Luke 13:4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
Luke 13:5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Jesus then brought up another incident in which 18 people were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them. He declared that those listening to him were just as vulnerable to suffer a similar fate if they did not repent.
I think the point Jesus is making is that bad things happen to people that are just the result of the actions of sinful men or from events that are out of their control and are a result of living in a fallen world. Those in His audience are just as likely to become victims of such a fate as those who were killed in these two instances. Not everything bad that happens can rightly be determined to be a judgment from God. However, all are sinners and will perish in their sin if they don’t repent.
Luke 13:6 ¶ He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.
Luke 13:7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?
Luke 13:8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
Luke 13:9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
At this point Jesus tells another parable. It tells of a man who had a fig tree planted in his vineyard that would not produce fruit. After three years he finally tells the keeper of the vineyard to cut it down so the ground can be used for something fruitful. The keeper of the vineyard intercedes for the tree and asks the owner to give him one more year to give it some special treatment and see if he can get it to produce. If it still doesn’t bear fruit, then cut it down.
I can’t help but wonder what the people understood about this parable. I believe they probably knew the Old Testament scriptures better than most in the church today. Surely they recognized a comparison between the fig tree and the Jewish people. In light of the previous verses, did they recognize that Jesus was warning that a lack of national repentance would end up bringing down God’s hand of judgment upon them? If they were familiar with the writings of the prophet Isaiah, they should have.
Isaiah 5:1–7 “Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill: And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes. And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard. What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes? And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down: And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.”
Did they recognize a comparison between Him and the keeper of the vineyard and God the Father as the owner of the vineyard? I think His disciples certainly should have. It’s interesting to note that Jesus ministered for 3-3.5 years before the nation as a whole rejected Him and sent Him to the cross.
Luke 13:10 ¶ And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.
Luke 13:11 And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.
Luke 13:12 And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.
Luke 13:13 And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
“And” – Maybe the connection between this account and the previous is the fact that everyone, including this woman, is vulnerable to having “bad” things happen to them. In this situation, however, Jesus is going to intervene on behalf of the woman and heal her.
Luke tells us that Jesus was teaching in a synagogue on the Sabbath and notices a woman who is crippled. It became known (presumably after her healing) that she had been crippled for 18 years. When Jesus saw her, He spoke to her and told her that she would no longer be crippled. He then placed His hands on her and immediately she was able to stand up straight. Her first reaction—to praise God.
Luke describes the woman’s condition as “a spirit of infirmity.” I do not think the reference is to demon possession because in other instances of demonic deliverance it is identified as such. Verse 16 does indicate that Satan had bound her, and I think her condition would be comparable to Job’s when he suffered from the boils. Satan was allowed to cause the boils, but Job was not demon possessed. It could be that any disease could be rightly referenced as having Satan at its source since he was the one who tempted man to rebel against God and sin. Disease is just one of the consequences of sin’s impact on creation.
I don’t think Jesus had to touch her to heal her, but I think He was doing everything He could to encourage the people to recognize Him as the Messiah. It was His words, His touch that was able to make her whole.
Luke 13:14 And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.
Luke 13:15 The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?
Luke 13:16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
Luke 13:17 And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.
As usual, the ruler of the synagogue gets angry because Jesus broke one of their traditions that had twisted/corrupted God’s command to honor the Sabbath day. Jesus immediately points out the hypocrisy of his anger. He relates how they allow for an owner to provide for the needs of their cattle, but don’t allow for the same consideration to be shown to this woman, a daughter of Abraham—a being of far more value than cattle. At least in this instance, those who had aligned themselves against Him had the sense to show shame in light of the comparison. The people of the congregation were all excited for the woman and rejoiced in all the good that Jesus did.
Luke 13:18 ¶ Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?
Luke 13:19 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.
In light of the response of the ruler of the synagogue and the people, Jesus makes a comparison to a description of the kingdom of God. He compares it to a small mustard seed that when planted grows so large that the birds come to make nests in it.
This description is of a mustard plant of abnormal growth; it is a lot bigger than normal. Though its beginning is normal, something happens as it is growing that causes it to become abnormal in size. In the scripture birds are often used to represent evil and/or the work of the enemy, Satan; e.g., the parable of the sower in chapter 4. So what is the kingdom of God? It is descriptive of those who profess to accept God’s authority and live accordingly. Problem is—like the Pharisees, many who profess to believe and obey Him are living according to the traditions of men and their own twisted/corrupted versions of His word. They are like the birds; they come to make a home among true believers and cause an evil mutation in the perceived growth of the kingdom.
Luke 13:20 And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?
Luke 13:21 It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
Jesus, as He often does, gives another illustration of the same truth. He compares the kingdom of God to how yeast permeates a loaf of bread. Special note is made that the woman hid the fact that she put yeast into the bread. Again, I think the Lord is comparing the actions of the Pharisees to the action of the yeast. They claim to be yielding to God as Lord; they hide their actions under the guise of obedience to God. In reality, they are feeding their own pride and seeking to increase their influence by their “righteous” actions—actions that are based on a corrupted teaching of God’s word.
It really is true that “there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). The same tactics are being used today by those who profess to be Christians, but are really out to promote self and their own agendas by promoting a corrupted teaching of God’s word.
Luke 13:22 And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.
Luke 13:23 ¶ Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
Luke 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
Luke 13:25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:
Luke 13:26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.
Luke 13:27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.
Luke 13:28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.
At this point Luke points out that Jesus is on a mission; He is traveling throughout the cities and villages of Israel, but His destination is Jerusalem.
One of those travelling with Jesus voices his personal observation that few are being saved in the form of a question. He is wondering if his personal observation is accurate. Jesus responds with words of warning and encouragement. He warns that it will take work and struggle to enter the true kingdom of God because the gate is narrow, and many who are seeking entry will not be able to gain entrance.
He illustrates what He is saying by describing a master standing up to close the door to his house then finding that there are people outside begging Him to open the door and let them in. Even though they are addressing him as “Lord,” he declares that he doesn’t know them. As He is telling the story, Jesus changes the reference from a generic crowd to “you” and the reference to the master to Himself. He is basically declaring Himself to be the One controlling access to the kingdom. He wants them to make a personal application. He declares that “you” will say, we have fellowshipped with You and listened to Your teaching. Jesus is saying, that it takes more than just mingling with my disciples and giving token acknowledgment to my teaching (pointed reference to the Pharisees). When the door has been shut, it will be too late to change your destiny. You will have been identified as workers of sin.
Jesus goes on to point out that they (those in the crowd who are rejecting Him) will respond with tears and anger when they realize that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and all the prophets are part of the kingdom of God, but “you” are not. This is a pointed reference to their prideful boasts that they are following in the steps of their founding fathers and the prophets, when in reality they are living in pride and rejection of the true teaching of God’s word.
I think the main point of this story is that the time for attaining true salvation as part of God’s kingdom is limited. The fact that it is described as a struggle is in reference to the lure and temptations of the world and the enemy that cause one to reject Jesus as Lord. The reference to many desiring to gain entrance but not able to get in speaks to man’s teaching that there are many ways to attain salvation and gain entrance to the kingdom. Jesus is declaring that He is the only way as declared by His words recorded by John.
John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
Luke 13:29 And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.
Luke 13:30 And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.
Now to add insult to injury—Jesus declares that there will be people from all over the world, Gentiles, who will gain entrance to the kingdom of God, even though many Jews won’t get in. In fact, some of those considered by men to be of least importance before God will be proven to be men and women of honor before Him, and those considered by men to be more honorable before God will be proven without honor.
Man’s opinion of man is given great consideration in the times in which we live. However, it is God’s opinion of man that truly matters. Those who gain the admiration of man today will find that it has no eternal benefit whatsoever. Those who choose to deny themselves and seek God’s good opinion through faith and obedience will find that they will benefit from His reward and blessing for eternity.
Luke 13:31 ¶ The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee.
Luke 13:32 And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.
Luke 13:33 Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.
For some reason Luke points out that the very same day He gave the previous teaching, Jesus was approached by a “certain” Pharisee warning Him to flee because Herod is going to kill Him. (I can’t help but wonder if it was Nicodemus.) Jesus basically tells the man to go and tell the conniving Herod that He doesn’t fear him. My paraphrase: Today I am busy casting out devils; tomorrow I will be performing miracles of healing; and the next day, the third, I will be perfected—I will complete My work.
At the same time, Jesus is acknowledging that He will die—but not before His work is completed. He is determined to get to Jerusalem because as a true prophet of God, He will die in Jerusalem. Jerusalem was the recognized spiritual center of the nation. Most of the true prophets of God faced their greatest enmity and danger from the spiritual leaders, those who should have been quickest to respond in repentance and obedience. Instead, their response was often to get rid of those who would threaten their positions of power and influence.
Luke 13:34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!
Luke 13:35 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
As the Lord Jesus declares His future and thinks about the prophets who so faithfully declared His truth, many of whom were killed for their obedience, He is sorrowful. It’s like He is lost in His own thoughts and has lost the awareness of those around Him; He is speaking from His heart. I think it is important to note that He is speaking of how “I” would have gathered you—under “My” protection and deliverance is the inference. He is identifying Himself with God the Father.
In light of the response of the people, however, Israel will be left desolate, the nation and the temple laid waste. Once He completes His work, Jesus will not return to establish His earthly kingdom and deliver His people until they call for Him to return in faith and repentance.
I believe that Zechariah prophesied of that time.
Zechariah 12:10 “And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.”
Luke 14:1 ¶ And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him.
Luke 14:2 And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy.
Luke 14:3 And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?
Luke 14:4 And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go;
Luke 14:5 And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day?
Luke 14:6 And they could not answer him again to these things.
This chapter opens with Luke relating an incident that is similar to one from the previous chapter in which Jesus heals someone on the Sabbath. This time He sees a man suffering from dropsy, an unnatural buildup of fluid in some part of the body causing swelling, as He is headed into the house of a Pharisee that has invited Him to eat. Evidently, other lawyers and Pharisees were also invited. Aware of the expectation of those around Him, Jesus “answered,” He began to speak in light of their expectation. He poses the question of whether or not it is lawful to heal on the Sabbath. They, of course, could not answer Him without indicting themselves, so they stayed silent. Jesus goes on to heal the man and once again draws attention to the truth that they would without hesitation rescue an ass or an ox that had fallen into a pit. The implication—so surely you would help a fellow man. They were left speechless.
Once again, as with the crippled woman from the previous chapter, Jesus is making the point that humans are more important than animals and that the Sabbath was never intended to bring harm to man. It was established for his benefit.
The Sabbath was originally established as a day of rest to benefit man.
Exodus 23:12 “Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed.”
The prophet Isaiah reveals a little more of God’s heart concerning the Sabbath.
Isaiah 56:4 “For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant….”
Isaiah 58:13–14 “If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.”
The Sabbath day was set apart as one in which to honor God. It is a day during which one was to deny self and delight to do the things that please God. We know that it pleases God for us to “love our neighbor as ourselves.”
Leviticus 19:18 “…thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.”
In no uncertain terms God declares that His purpose for the Sabbath is for men to honor Him as they get physically and spiritually refreshed. He is pleased when we show our love to others by helping those in need spiritually, emotionally and/or physically. Jesus is definitely acting in accordance with God’s wishes through His miracles of healing.
It’s interesting to me that most of the times Jesus healed on the Sabbath, He did no more than speak and/or touch someone to accomplish their healing. How did that break even their corrupted version of God’s law?
Luke 14:7 ¶ And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them,
Luke 14:8 When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;
Luke 14:9 And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.
Luke 14:10 But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.
Luke 14:11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Luke now transitions to Jesus telling a parable that appears to connect to the previous incident on the subject of comparative importance. Jesus had observed how the guests at the dinner sought to take the seats regarded as most honored. (Remember, He is talking to a group of Pharisees.) He uses the example of a wedding feast, and advises that one bidden to such a feast should not choose a seat in the area reserved for those considered most honored. If you do, you might find yourself asked to move to a less honored position to make room for someone the host deems more deserving of the seat. Instead, take a seat in one of the lower areas and allow the host to determine whether you should be seated in the section reserved for guests of honor. If he so chooses, it will actually accord you more honor than having chosen the seat on your own.
Principle: The arrogant will be humbled and the humble will be honored. The reference is to those who are truly humble—not false humility with an ulterior motive. The parables of Jesus were always directed toward using real life situations to teach spiritual truths. Though this truth seems to be in contradiction to the way that the world in which we live operates, the application to our eternal future is sure.
JFB pointed out that Jesus’ teaching mirrored the teaching of Solomon in Proverbs.
Proverbs 25:6–7 “Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men: For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.”
David Guzik pointed out that Jesus provided the ultimate example of the truth of His teaching.
Philippians 2:5–11 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Luke 14:12 Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.
Luke 14:13 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:
Luke 14:14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
In part two of His teaching, Jesus turns His attention from the guests to the host. He encourages the host to sometimes invite those at the lower levels of society—the poor, the handicapped, the lame and the blind. If you always invite friends, relatives and the influential, your reward will come from reciprocal invitations. If you invite those who cannot reciprocate your invitation, you will receive a greater reward from the Lord—spiritual treasure that will benefit you for eternity.
Again, I think in context the encouragement is to do the right thing from a right heart attitude—not with an ulterior motive.
I think it is important to note that Jesus makes reference to being rewarded at “the resurrection of the just,” those who are in right standing with God. Only those in right standing with God can qualify for such reward.
Luke 14:15 ¶ And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.
At least one of those present was making a spiritual connection with what Jesus was teaching. After hearing the parable, he voices how blessed will be those that get to fellowship in the kingdom of God.
The prophet Isaiah gave the clearest Old Testament prophecy concerning the coming kingdom of the Messiah.
Isaiah 9:6–7 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”
Luke 14:16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:
Luke 14:17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.
Luke 14:18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.
Luke 14:19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
Luke 14:20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
Luke 14:21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
Luke 14:22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.
Luke 14:23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
Luke 14:24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.
Instead of giving a hearty “Amen!” to the man’s statement, Jesus poses another parable that was meant to make them examine their hearts in light of their expectations.
Jesus tells the story of “a certain man” who invited many to come to a great supper. When the time came and the meal prepared, he sent his servant out to declare that it was time to come; supper was ready. All of a sudden the people who were invited began making excuses as to why they could not come—excuses related to business and family responsibilities. When the servant reported to his master, it made him very angry. He then sent his servant to go throughout the city and bring in the poor, handicapped, lame and blind. The servant obeyed and reported that there were still plenty of available seats. So, the master sent him out again and told him to go further abroad and implore as many as he could to come fill the house. He was determined that none of those who were originally bidden would ever get to taste his supper.
My application: In context, the people to whom Jesus was speaking should have understood that He was making an application to the Messianic Kingdom. God had issued a personal invitation to the Jewish people to follow Him in obedience and enjoy the blessings of submitting to Him as Lord. The Jewish people, especially their leaders, proved themselves to be far more concerned with the things of this world rather than the things of God. So what does God do? He sends out His servant (the Holy Spirit) to invite the poor and needy, those who were willing to admit their need and respond to His invitation. Still there was room. Finally, the Lord sends the Spirit out to the world, the Gentiles, to urge them to respond to His invitation. The sad conclusion: Those who were originally invited and rejected the invitation would not be permitted in the kingdom.
Obviously, Jesus was not teaching that all Jews would be excluded from the kingdom. He was, however, declaring that there were many who would be expecting to get in the kingdom that would not. Only those who humbled themselves before Him as Lord would get to enter.
This teaching ties in perfectly with Jesus’ teaching in the previous chapter.
Luke 13:28–29 “There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.”
Luke 14:25 ¶ And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,
Luke 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
Luke 14:27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
Luke tells us that at this point in time there were “great multitudes” following Jesus. His actions show that He is not just seeking popularity. He wants the people to know that to follow Him necessitates complete submission to Him as Lord. They must consider serving Him more important than any other earthly relationship or responsibility. Only those who commit to Him completely as Lord can be His disciples.
This is a very hard but important teaching. We know that scripture teaches that to follow Jesus as Lord includes being responsible and taking care of our family…
Exodus 20:12 “Honour thy father and thy mother….”
Isaiah 58:5–7 “Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD? Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?”
Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
Ephesians 6:4 “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
1 Timothy 5:8 “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”
…but as a wife and Mom, I can sadly relate to loving my family so much that it is easy to use them as an excuse for not serving and/or growing in my relationship to the Lord. He does not want us to neglect our family responsibilities, but He wants us to act in submission to Him in meeting those responsibilities. Too often we are tempted to act in accordance with the world’s expectations rather than according to the expectations of God as declared in His word. Again, I have made many such mistakes—and you can’t ever do it over. You can only choose to do better going forward. I have had to apologize to my kids countless times when I reflect in retrospect for many wrong choices made on their behalf. Graciously, they are often quick to point out what we have all learned through the process and how that is helping them to do better.
The truth of verse 27 is one that we don’t like to think about. Jesus declares that to follow Him will require one to “bear his cross” in service and obedience to Him. Immediately, this brings to mind suffering. When I looked at the Greek, it stood out to me that much of this suffering would come in the form of self-denial. I have found that to be one of the hardest traits to cultivate in my own life. We are surrounded by a culture that promotes a focus on self. We are encouraged to focus on the rights and desires of self regardless of how the resultant actions impact others. Only through complete submission to the Lord and the empowerment of His Spirit can we hope to deny self and follow Him in faith and obedience.
Luke 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
Luke 14:29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
Luke 14:30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
Luke 14:31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
Luke 14:32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
Luke 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
Jesus now uses two examples to illustrate the truth He is teaching.
If you intend to construct a tower, you will first sit down and determine the total cost—materials, labor, etc.—and whether or not you have the means to carry out your plan. If you begin before making such preparation, you might find out after laying the foundation that you won’t be able to finish it. This will invite the ridicule of others because it will be obvious that you weren’t properly prepared.
When a king is faced with the prospect of war, he always assesses his resources to determine the best plan of action. If it is determined that he does not have enough resources to go to war, he will opt to send an ambassador to negotiate the conditions for peace.
Jesus is saying that following Him requires the same type of consideration. He is saying that to follow Him you must forsake all and submit to Him as Lord of your life. In light of that consideration—Are you still willing?
Luke 14:34 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?
Luke 14:35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
We know that salt is widely used as a preservative and to enhance the flavor of food. Salt that no longer tastes salty is no longer useful except to be thrown out.
The context seems to call for a comparison of the salt to the person who wants to follow Jesus. Salt is expected to be salty; those who follow Jesus are expected to follow Him as Lord in denial of self. I think the thought here is similar to the message given to the church at Laodicea in Revelation.
Revelation 3:15 “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.”
Jesus wants our all!
He urges all with ears to hear and understand. Obviously, all have ears—but not all will hear with understanding. It is the attitude of the heart that affects our hearing, our actions.
Acts 28:27 “For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.”
2 Chronicles 12:14 “And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.”
Matthew 12:35 “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.”