Luke 14:31 kjv

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 14:31 nkjv

Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?

Luke 14:31 niv

"Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won't he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand?

Luke 14:31 esv

Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?

Luke 14:31 nlt

"Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him?

Luke 14 verses

Luke 14 31 Meaning

This verse is part of Jesus' teaching on the demands of discipleship, presenting a second illustrative parable following the one about the tower builder. It questions the practicality of a king embarking on a war against a numerically superior foe without first calculating his own strength and resources. The core meaning emphasizes the absolute necessity of foresight, careful deliberation, and a sober assessment of personal resources before committing to the journey of following Christ. It implies that true discipleship requires a total, non-negotiable commitment and an awareness of the significant challenges (the "war") that lie ahead, demanding reliance on God rather than self-sufficiency.

Luke 14 31 Context

Luke chapter 14 describes Jesus dining with a prominent Pharisee. His teaching shifts from lessons on humility at a banquet (Lk 14:7-14) to the cost of discipleship (Lk 14:25-33). The specific context for verse 31 begins in Lk 14:25, where large crowds were following Jesus. Jesus then turns to address them directly, stating the challenging requirements for being His disciple: prioritizing Him above family and even one's own life, and carrying one's cross. Verses 28-30 introduce the parable of the man building a tower without finishing, symbolizing insufficient forethought. Verse 31 immediately follows this, offering another, similar parable – that of a king preparing for war – to reinforce the same principle of prudent calculation before commitment. These parables serve to filter those who would casually follow Him, underscoring that true discipleship is a grave and demanding commitment requiring total dedication.

Luke 14 31 Word analysis

• Or (ē - ἢ): Connects this parable directly to the previous one (the tower builder), signifying another illustrative example of the same principle.

• what king (tis basileus - τίς βασιλεύς): A rhetorical question implying an obvious answer. No wise king would do such a thing. "Basileus" refers to a ruler or sovereign, highlighting a figure with great responsibility and authority.

• going out to encounter (poreuomenos eis synbolēn - πορευόμενος εἰς συμβολὴν): "Poreuomenos" means "proceeding" or "journeying." "Synbolēn" denotes a "clash" or "encounter," specifically a military engagement. It speaks of entering into direct confrontation.

• another king in war (allō basilei polemon - ἄλλῳ βασιλεῖ πόλεμον): Clearly defines the hostile context as a full-scale "war" (polemos).

• will not sit down first (ouchi kathisas prōton - οὐχὶ καθίσας πρῶτον): "Ouchi" is a strong negation expecting a positive answer, like "Surely he will sit down first." "Kathisas" (having sat down) suggests a deliberate pause and taking counsel. "Prōton" emphasizes priority—this step must precede any action.

• and deliberate (bouleusetai - βουλεύσεται): "Bouleuō" means to counsel, deliberate, weigh, plan, or decide. It highlights the intellectual and strategic process involved. This isn't impulsive action but careful planning.

• whether he is able (ei dynatos estin - εἰ δυνατός ἐστιν): "Ei" introduces a condition ("if" or "whether"). "Dynatos" means "able," "capable," or "powerful enough." This refers to an assessment of one's own capability relative to the challenge.

• with ten thousand (en deka chiliasin - ἐν δέκα χιλιάσιν): The king's army strength, stated as numerically weaker than the opponent, highlighting a disadvantage that needs careful consideration.

• to meet him (hypantēsai - ὑπαντῆσαι): "Hypantaō" means to go to meet, often in a hostile or confronting sense.

• who comes against him with twenty thousand (ton meta eikosi chiliadōn erchomenon - τὸν μετὰ εἴκοσι χιλιάδων ἐρχόμενον): The opposing king's army, double the strength, presenting a significant and potentially overwhelming force.

• "What king... will not sit down first and deliberate": This phrase underlines the essential, logical step of assessing resources and strength before embarking on a dangerous and costly endeavor. It implies a high degree of prudence and realism.

• "Ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand": This numerical disparity is crucial. It represents a seemingly impossible odds from a purely human perspective. In the context of discipleship, it symbolizes the insufficiency of human strength and resources against the overwhelming "spiritual warfare" that one commits to by following Christ. The deliberation isn't just about strategy, but recognizing one's inherent limitations against a superior force.

Luke 14 31 Bonus section

This parable, along with the tower builder, emphasizes what it means to be a "disciple," distinct from a mere "follower" or curious crowd member. Jesus often had large crowds following Him, but His true "disciples" were those who fully understood and embraced the rigorous demands. The king's deliberation highlights foresight not only as wisdom but as a non-negotiable prerequisite. For Jesus, "discipleship" is a full-scale commitment, a spiritual "warfare" that cannot be waged on human terms or with half-hearted measures. The consequence of not deliberating the "cost" is not just failure but also potentially shame, as seen in the uncompleted tower or a devastating military defeat. In essence, Jesus asks for total commitment borne of clear-eyed spiritual realism, rather than fleeting enthusiasm.

Luke 14 31 Commentary

Luke 14:31, as one of two parables illustrating "counting the cost," underscores that committing to follow Jesus is not a casual or impulsive decision. Like a king facing an overwhelmingly superior foe, a potential disciple must first "sit down and deliberate" the demands of Christ. The "war" in the analogy represents the significant spiritual challenges and adversaries—the world's values, one's own sinful nature, and the spiritual forces of evil—that one will face as a true follower of Christ. The king's "ten thousand" symbolizes the disciple's limited human strength and resources, which are utterly insufficient to overcome the "twenty thousand," representing the formidable nature of the spiritual battle.

The parable is not meant to discourage discipleship, but to call for a sober, unreserved, and intentional commitment. It implicitly teaches that human strength alone is futile in this spiritual "war." The king's assessment of his disadvantage should lead not to retreat from the "war" of faith (as discipleship is not optional for true believers), but to a deeper realization of the need for supernatural strength and strategic reliance on the Lord, who provides the ultimate victory. Therefore, the deliberate "sitting down" is an act of acknowledging personal weakness and the immense scope of the kingdom mission, leading to absolute surrender and dependence on Christ's power to "meet" these challenges.

Example: A person contemplating dedicating their life to ministry must seriously weigh the sacrifices, hardships, and spiritual opposition, ensuring their commitment stems from a full understanding and reliance on God, not their own idealized abilities or temporary zeal.