Luke 14:16 kjv
Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:
Luke 14:16 nkjv
Then He said to him, "A certain man gave a great supper and invited many,
Luke 14:16 niv
Jesus replied: "A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests.
Luke 14:16 esv
But he said to him, "A man once gave a great banquet and invited many.
Luke 14:16 nlt
Jesus replied with this story: "A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations.
Luke 14 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 25:6 | And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things... | Prophecy of God's Kingdom as a bountiful feast for all. |
| Prov 9:1-5 | Wisdom has built her house... She has furnished her table. She has sent out her young women to call... "Come, eat of my food..." | Wisdom's open invitation to her feast, parallel to God's call. |
| Mt 22:1-14 | The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son... and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding... | Parallel parable of the Wedding Feast, very similar in theme and structure. |
| Lk 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. | The diverse origin of those who will participate in the Kingdom feast. |
| Rev 19:9 | Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. | The ultimate fulfillment of the great supper as the consummation with Christ. |
| Mt 8:11-12 | And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham... But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out... | Gentiles joining the feast, while original invitees are cast out. |
| Lk 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. | The direct preceding remark that prompts Jesus' parable. |
| Jn 6:44 | No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him... | The divine initiative in inviting and enabling participation. |
| Acts 13:46 | ...It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. | A historical reflection of the initial invitation to Israel and subsequent turning to Gentiles. |
| Rom 11:11 | I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. | The shift in invitation extending to Gentiles due to Israel's rejection. |
| Heb 12:25 | See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth... | Warning against rejecting God's invitation and voice. |
| 1 Pet 2:9-10 | But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people... Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God... | Those who accept the invitation become God's people. |
| Zech 8:20-23 | Thus saith the LORD of hosts; It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities... saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD... | Prophecy of many nations coming to seek the Lord, foreshadowing widespread invitation. |
| Lk 7:47-48 | Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. | Context of acceptance of grace despite social status. |
| Mk 16:15 | And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. | The Great Commission, expanding the "bade many" to a global call. |
| Jn 1:11-12 | He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God... | Initial rejection by Israel, and acceptance by "as many as received Him." |
| Rom 9:4-5 | Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came... | Initial privileges and invitations extended to Israel. |
| Isa 55:1-3 | Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters... hear, and your soul shall live... | An open invitation to those seeking spiritual satisfaction. |
| Rev 22:17 | And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. | The final, widespread invitation in the consummation of scripture. |
| Phil 3:7-8 | But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ... that I may win Christ... | Prioritizing the spiritual feast above worldly gains, a contrast to the parable's excused. |
Luke 14 verses
Luke 14 16 Meaning
This verse introduces the Parable of the Great Supper, spoken by Jesus in response to a remark about eating bread in the Kingdom of God. It sets the scene by presenting a wealthy host who prepares a lavish banquet, symbolizing the bountiful spiritual provisions and ultimate fellowship in the Kingdom of God. The "certain man" represents God, the generous Giver of these blessings, who extends an initial and wide invitation to "many." This initial invitation points to the universal scope of God's redemptive plan and, more specifically, to the offer of the covenant blessings first extended to the chosen people, Israel.
Luke 14 16 Context
Luke 14:16 is part of a series of teachings and parables delivered by Jesus while he was dining in the house of a prominent Pharisee on the Sabbath. The surrounding context involves lessons on humility (Lk 14:7-11), choosing guests (Lk 14:12-14), and the cost of discipleship (Lk 14:25-33). The parable of the Great Supper (Lk 14:15-24) is directly prompted by a fellow guest's seemingly pious remark about blessedness in the Kingdom of God (Lk 14:15). Jesus uses this remark as a springboard to illustrate that while many desire the Kingdom's blessings conceptually, many are also too preoccupied with worldly matters to accept the actual, costly invitation to participate in it. Historically and culturally, grand suppers were significant social events, involving a two-stage invitation process (initial call and final summons). Refusal of the second call was a grave insult to the host and a major social affront, highlighting the severity of the rejections depicted in the parable.
Luke 14 16 Word analysis
- Then said he unto him (ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῷ - apokritheis de eipen autō): This phrase in Greek often means "he answered" or "he replied," implying a direct response. Here, Jesus directly addresses the person who spoke in Luke 14:15, indicating that the parable is a targeted instruction, clarifying the true nature of entering the Kingdom of God beyond a simple wish.
- A certain man (Ἄνθρωπός τις - Anthrōpos tis): Literally "a certain person" or "a man." In parables, "a certain man" frequently refers to God, indicating divine initiative. This highlights that the feast, representing the Kingdom's blessings, is prepared and offered by God Himself, underscoring His sovereignty and generosity.
- made (ἐποίησεν - epoiesen): Simply "made" or "prepared." This verb denotes an active and deliberate act. It emphasizes that the supper is a carefully planned and extensive provision by the host, symbolizing God's purposeful and complete provision for those in His Kingdom.
- a great supper (δει̑πνον μέγα - deipnon mega): "Deipnon" was the main, often evening, meal of the day, a social occasion. "Mega" means "great" or "large." This signifies a grand banquet, implying opulence, honor, and generous hospitality. Spiritually, it symbolizes the vast and overflowing blessings, joy, and fellowship that await those who enter God's Kingdom. It signifies the immeasurable value of what is being offered.
- and bade (καὶ ἐκάλεσεν - kai ekalesen): "And called" or "invited." This denotes a formal invitation. In the context of ancient feasts, this was typically the initial, forward-looking invitation, signaling a forthcoming grand event. It implies a widespread and gracious outreach, inviting people to share in the prepared blessings.
- many (πολλούς - pollous): "Many" or "numerous ones." This emphasizes the broad scope of the initial invitation. It suggests that God's grace and the offer of salvation are not for a select few but extended widely. Historically, this first invitation can be understood as directed particularly towards the Jewish people, the first recipients of God's covenant and promises.
- "A certain man made a great supper": This phrase sets the scene of profound generosity and abundant provision. The host, representing God, spares no expense in preparing a magnificent feast, underscoring the richness and magnitude of the blessings of the Kingdom. This challenges the common assumption that one can easily enter this great feast without truly valuing the invitation.
- "and bade many": This highlights the initial universal or widespread nature of God's invitation. God does not discriminate in extending the opportunity to participate in His Kingdom, making it available to a broad spectrum of people. In its primary historical context, this means God had extensively called Israel, offering them the Kingdom's blessings.
Luke 14 16 Bonus section
The "great supper" imagery carries eschatological weight, pointing towards the ultimate banquet in the Kingdom of Heaven where believers will fellowship with God. This banquet represents eternal joy, divine provision, and fulfilled salvation, far surpassing any earthly feast. The act of "bidding many" underscores God's persistent and comprehensive call, revealing His desire that all might come to partake in these blessings. The subsequent verses in the parable demonstrate the profound offense and consequence of rejecting such a divine invitation, which is tantamount to rejecting God's generous love and provision. This parable, therefore, acts as a profound teaching on valuing the Kingdom of God above temporal pursuits.
Luke 14 16 Commentary
Luke 14:16 initiates Jesus' parable of the Great Supper, illustrating divine generosity and human response. The "certain man" (God) meticulously prepares a "great supper" (the blessings and communion of His Kingdom), underscoring the immeasurable value and joyful nature of what is offered. The initial act of inviting "many" reveals God's widespread, gracious overture to humanity, particularly to those initially privileged with His covenant. This verse sets the stage for the dramatic irony of the parable, where the magnificent divine invitation is met with surprising and flimsy rejections, shifting the focus from the glory of the feast to the choices of the invited guests. It establishes that participation in the Kingdom is not just a vague hope but a concrete, presented invitation demanding a definite response.