Luke 14:23 kjv

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 14:23 nkjv

Then the master said to the servant, 'Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

Luke 14:23 niv

"Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.

Luke 14:23 esv

And the master said to the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.

Luke 14:23 nlt

So his master said, 'Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full.

Luke 14 verses

Luke 14 23 Meaning

Luke 14:23 describes the master of a great banquet, after his initial invited guests declined, commanding his servant to extend the invitation urgently to those found in the less visible, marginalized places. It signifies God's persistent desire to fill His kingdom with those who recognize their need for Him, even if it means reaching beyond the conventionally privileged or righteous, compelling them not by force, but by urgent and persistent persuasion, to partake in the blessings of His heavenly feast.

Luke 14 23 Context

Luke 14:23 is part of the parable of the Great Banquet, recounted by Jesus during a meal with a prominent Pharisee. The broader context of Luke 14 shows Jesus teaching about humility (vv. 7-11) and challenging societal norms by advocating for inviting the poor, crippled, lame, and blind to one's feasts rather than the wealthy, who could reciprocate (vv. 12-14). When one guest exclaims, "Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!" (v. 15), Jesus tells this parable to illustrate who will truly partake in God's kingdom.

The parable itself (vv. 16-24) depicts a master who prepares a magnificent feast, but his initially invited guests make various excuses for not attending, revealing their preoccupation with worldly affairs. In response to their rejection, the master becomes angry and commands his servant to first go into the "streets and alleys of the city" (vv. 21) to invite the poor, crippled, blind, and lame, filling up his house with society's outcasts. Upon learning there is still room, he issues the command in verse 23, extending the invitation even further to those outside the city limits, emphasizing a radical and universal inclusion for his banquet, symbolizing God's kingdom. This parable serves as a strong indictment against those who were religiously privileged but rejected God's invitation, and a radical affirmation of God's welcoming grace for the marginalized and despised.

Luke 14 23 Word analysis

• And the Lord said: The "Lord" (kurios, Greek: κύριος) here refers to the master of the house in the parable, a representation of God the Father or Jesus. It signifies authority and the divine initiative in extending the invitation.
• unto the servant: The "servant" (doulos, Greek: δοῦλος) is obedient and acts on the master's behalf. This servant represents the disciples of Christ, ministers, and all believers who are commissioned to spread the Gospel message. They are bondservants dedicated to fulfilling the master's will.
• Go out: This is an imperative command, conveying urgency and demanding action. It highlights the proactive nature of evangelism, not passively waiting for people to come, but actively going to them.
• into the highways and hedges: The Greek phrase is eis tas diódous kai phragmoús (εἰς τὰς διόδους καὶ φραγμοὺς).
  • diodos (διόδους): "highways" or "roads." These are main roads outside the city, implying those beyond the immediate, common paths, or even metaphorically, those of distant lands.
  • phragmous (φραγμοὺς): "hedges," "fences," or "enclosures." These marked boundaries, often where fields met roads. People living or loitering near hedges would be very poor, nomadic, or without stable dwellings, often outcasts of society, indicating those extremely marginalized, isolated, or Gentile populations. This implies reaching every remote corner, all strata of society.
• and compel them to come in: The word "compel" is anankázō (ἀναγκάζω), which means to urge strongly, necessitate, press, or overcome resistance by persuasion or pressure. It does not mean physical coercion or forcing against one's will, which is contrary to the voluntary nature of faith. Instead, it signifies powerful, earnest, and persistent invitation that overcomes hesitations, excuses, or social barriers. It's the spiritual urgency that makes refusal difficult without offense. For instance, Acts 26:11 where Paul "compelled" Christians to blaspheme implies strong pressure, or Galatians 2:14 where Paul "compelled" Gentiles to live like Jews implies social pressure. Here, it is the compelling power of the Gospel message and the urgency of the invitation.
• that my house may be filled: This expresses the ultimate purpose and desire of the master: a full house. Spiritually, it signifies God's earnest desire that all peoples from every nation, tribe, and tongue would be gathered into His kingdom (Rev 7:9-10). It highlights the inclusive nature of God's salvation and His persistent pursuit of humanity. It also emphasizes the finality of the offer and the need to fully exhaust the opportunity before it closes.

Luke 14 23 Bonus section

The parable illustrates a reversal of fortunes: those who were socially prominent and supposedly "blessed" (the initially invited guests) reject the kingdom invitation due to their attachment to worldly things, while those from the margins and fringes (the poor, crippled, blind, lame, and those in the highways and hedges) gladly accept. This aligns with a recurring theme in Luke's Gospel, where Jesus elevates the humble and casts down the proud. The anger of the master highlights God's righteous displeasure towards those who spurn His grace and invitation, ultimately leading to their exclusion from the banquet (Lk 14:24). This provides a stark warning against indifference or intentional rejection of divine calling.

Luke 14 23 Commentary

Luke 14:23 reveals the heart of God in His salvific plan: an open invitation, profound generosity, and persistent love towards all humanity. The initial rejection by the self-righteous and preoccupied did not deter the master; instead, it broadened the scope of his invitation to include those whom society had overlooked or deemed unworthy. This is a profound statement against exclusivity and privilege, pointing to God's desire to fill His kingdom not just with those "expected" to be there, but with all who humble themselves and accept His grace.

The command to "go out" signifies active, missionary zeal. Disciples are not to merely open the door, but to go to the very places where the unreached and outcast reside. "Highways and hedges" powerfully symbolizes the uttermost parts of the earth and the deepest societal margins, those spiritually impoverished or culturally separated.

The controversial word "compel" clarifies that the message of the Gospel carries inherent weight and urgency. It's not about physical force, but a persuasive urgency born of compassion and a divine imperative. Believers are called to passionately and persistently share the life-saving message, dismantling excuses, and overcoming resistance with love, reason, and the power of the Holy Spirit, making the invitation so appealing and compelling that rejecting it would feel deeply unwise or neglectful. The goal is the fulfillment of God's house, ensuring that the eternal feast is abundantly filled with those who responded to His boundless love. This verse undergirds the urgency of global evangelism and compassion for the lost.