Luke 14 17

Luke 14:17 kjv

And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.

Luke 14:17 nkjv

and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, 'Come, for all things are now ready.'

Luke 14:17 niv

At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.'

Luke 14:17 esv

And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.'

Luke 14:17 nlt

When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests, 'Come, the banquet is ready.'

Luke 14 17 Cross References

Verse Text Reference
Isa 25:6-7 On this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all peoples a feast… Prophecy of God's universal feast for all nations.
Prov 9:2-5 She has slaughtered her beasts... she cries aloud... "Come, eat of my bread..." Wisdom's invitation to a spiritual feast.
Matt 22:3-4 And sent out his servants to call those who were invited... again he sent other servants... Parable of wedding feast; initial invitation rejected, further invitations sent.
Matt 22:8-10 "The wedding feast is ready... Go therefore to the highways and invite to the wedding feast..." Turning from original guests to others for the banquet.
Luke 14:18 But they all alike began to make excuses. Immediate context; the guests' rejection of the invitation.
Luke 14:21-23 Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city... Go out to the highways and hedges... The master sends servants to invite the marginalized.
Rev 19:7-9 Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. The eschatological consummation and divine banquet.
Heb 1:1-2 Long ago, at many times... God spoke to our fathers... but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son... God's communication and revelation, climaxing in Christ.
Luke 14:24 For I tell you, none of those who were invited shall taste my supper. The consequence of rejecting the prepared feast.
Joel 2:28-29 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh... Prophecy of the Spirit's outpouring, signifying readiness.
Acts 2:16-17 This is what was uttered through the prophet Joel... 'In the last days... I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh...' Peter's declaration that "now ready" includes the Spirit's advent.
Luke 7:22-23 The blind receive their sight... the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me. Evidence of the Kingdom's arrival, fulfilling prophecy.
Col 1:19-20 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell... through him to reconcile to himself all things... The divine completeness in Christ makes redemption "ready."
John 7:37-38 On the last day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me..." Open invitation to those who recognize their need.
Rev 22:17 The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." The continuous and final invitation to Christ.
Mark 1:14-15 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee... saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand..." Declaration of the Kingdom's imminence and readiness.
Luke 10:9 Heal the sick in it and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.' Christ's disciples announcing the Kingdom's presence.
Acts 3:19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. Call to respond to God's ready offer of salvation.
Isa 55:1 Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Free invitation to spiritual nourishment from God.
2 Cor 5:18-19 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation... God's work of reconciliation being ready for acceptance.

Luke 14 verses

Luke 14 17 Meaning

Luke 14:17 states, "and send his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’" This verse describes the moment the host of a great banquet, having prepared all things, dispatches his servant to summon the invited guests. It signifies the imminence of the Kingdom of God, prepared by God, and the final call extended to those initially intended to receive it, highlighting a time of fulfillment and readiness for acceptance.

Luke 14 17 Context

Luke 14 details Jesus teaching on a Sabbath at the home of a prominent Pharisee. The chapter begins with Jesus healing a man with dropsy, stirring controversy over Sabbath observance. This segues into a parable about humility, where Jesus advises against taking the place of honor at a feast, promoting the humble seeking of the lowest seat. He then instructs his host to invite the poor, crippled, lame, and blind to future banquets, emphasizing reward in the resurrection. Luke 14:17 is a pivotal verse within the subsequent "Parable of the Great Banquet" (or "Great Supper"), where Jesus uses a host's lavish feast and rejected invitations to illustrate the Kingdom of God and Israel's spiritual unreadiness. The parable highlights the open invitation of salvation, the excuses made by those initially invited (representing Jewish leadership or complacent Israel), and the subsequent extending of the invitation to the marginalized and Gentiles.

Luke 14 17 Word analysis

  • and send (καὶ ἀπέστειλεν – kai apesteilen): "Apostello" means to send forth with a commission or purpose. Here, the servant is not just casually sent but dispatched on an official mission from the master. This parallels God's sending of His prophets and ultimately His Son and apostles with a divine message.
  • his servant (τὸν δοῦλον αὐτοῦ – ton doulon autou): A "doulos" is a bond-servant or slave, utterly devoted to the master's will. In the parable, this servant represents those commissioned by God to announce the arrival of the Kingdom, preeminently John the Baptist, Jesus Himself, and His disciples (cf. prophets and later, apostles and missionaries).
  • at supper time (τῇ ὥρᾳ τοῦ δείπνου – tē hōra tou deipnou): The "deipnon" (supper/dinner) was the main meal, a significant event in Jewish culture, usually eaten in the evening. The "hour" here denotes the precise time for the feast's commencement, when everything is finalized. This implies a specific, decisive moment for the Kingdom's revelation and availability, marking the end of preparations and the call to action.
  • to say to those who were invited (εἰπεῖν τοῖς κεκλημένοις – eipein tois keklēmenois): "Keklēmenois" comes from "kaleō," meaning "to call" or "to invite." The perfect passive participle indicates a prior, completed action – these guests had already been invited. The original custom involved two invitations: one to gauge availability, another for the ready feast. This speaks to God's long-standing relationship and invitations to Israel through the covenant and prophets.
  • ‘Come,’ (Δεῦτε – Deute): This is an imperative, an urgent command or entreaty. It is a direct and forceful call to participate, highlighting the immediacy and importance of the summons. It implies a departure from one's current activities to enter into the prepared joy.
  • for everything is now ready. (ὅτι ἤδη ἕτοιμά ἐστιν πάντα – hoti ēdē hetoima estin panta): This is the central message.
    • ἤδη (ēdē): "Already" or "now." It emphasizes the present, accomplished reality. There is no more waiting. This refers to the decisive point in redemptive history, specifically the advent of Jesus Christ and His ministry, where the Kingdom of God is manifested and salvation offered.
    • ἕτοιμα (hetoima): "Ready," "prepared," "complete." It signifies a state of absolute preparedness. The "banquet" of the Kingdom, with all its provisions (forgiveness, reconciliation, spiritual nourishment, eternal life), is fully arrayed and waiting. God has done all that is necessary for humanity to enter His presence and partake in His blessings.
    • πάντα (panta): "All things," "everything." This universality emphasizes the comprehensiveness of God's provision. No stone has been left unturned; every requirement for the feast, and by extension, for salvation, has been perfectly fulfilled. This completeness is intrinsically linked to the work of Christ.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • and send his servant... to say: This phrase describes the divine commissioning of messengers (prophets, John, Jesus, apostles) throughout history, culminating in the declaration that the promised salvation (Kingdom) has arrived.
  • at supper time... to those who were invited: This points to the climactic moment of God's redemptive plan (the "last days" or "fullness of time" with Christ's first advent) and specifically addresses Israel, who were under covenant and long awaiting the Messiah's coming.
  • ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’: This is the heart of the Gospel message: an urgent invitation based on the completed work of God in Christ. The atonement, resurrection, and the Holy Spirit's outpouring signify that all necessary preparations for spiritual entry into God's Kingdom have been made. There are no more prerequisites to be fulfilled on God's part; the obstacle has been removed, and the feast is spread.

Luke 14 17 Bonus section

This verse reflects a common practice of ancient banquets, where a preliminary invitation was sent, followed by a final summons once the preparations were complete. The timing "at supper time" emphasizes the fullness of time (Gal 4:4) when God sent His Son. The "readiness" signifies that no works, sacrifices, or preparations are required on the part of the invited, only acceptance of the lavish grace freely provided by the Host. This parabolic call points to the Kingdom not merely as a future hope but as a present reality offered in Christ's ministry, making a claim on the immediate allegiance of those who hear the summons. The "supper" also hints at the intimate fellowship and sustenance available in communion with God.

Luke 14 17 Commentary

Luke 14:17 marks a crucial juncture in Jesus's parable of the Great Banquet, illustrating the unfolding of God's Kingdom. It portrays a magnificent feast fully prepared, symbolizing the comprehensive provisions of God's grace and salvation made ready through Christ. The sending of the servant "at supper time" signifies the precise moment of fulfillment in redemptive history—the incarnation and ministry of Jesus. God, having long prepared the way through covenant and prophecy, issues His ultimate and final invitation through His Son. The message, "Come, for everything is now ready," conveys urgency and highlights the completeness of divine provision. There are no further steps God needs to take; the work of reconciliation, forgiveness, and eternal life is accomplished and immediately accessible. The tragic irony, unpacked in subsequent verses, is the refusal of the "originally invited" guests, who had received the prior invitation and were most expected, but now make trivial excuses, failing to grasp the gravity and immediacy of God's finished work.