Luke 14:32 kjv
Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
Luke 14:32 nkjv
Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace.
Luke 14:32 niv
If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace.
Luke 14:32 esv
And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace.
Luke 14:32 nlt
And if he can't, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace while the enemy is still far away.
Luke 14 32 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lk 14:26-27 | "If anyone comes to me and does not hate father...cannot be my disciple...Whoever does not bear his own cross..." | Discipleship's ultimate cost. |
| Lk 14:28-30 | "For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost..." | Parable of counting the cost (tower builder). |
| Lk 14:33 | "So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple." | Summary statement of radical discipleship. |
| Mt 16:24-26 | "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." | Call to self-denial and cross-bearing. |
| Mk 8:34-37 | "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?" | Prioritizing the soul over worldly gain. |
| Phl 3:7-8 | "But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ." | Paul's example of renouncing all for Christ. |
| Prov 20:18 | "Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war." | Emphasizes seeking wise counsel before action. |
| Prov 21:5 | "The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty." | Foresight and planning avoid failure. |
| Dt 20:10-12 | "When you draw near to a city to fight against it, offer terms of peace to it..." | Lawful precedent for offering peace terms. |
| Jas 4:7 | "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." | Engaging spiritual adversaries. |
| Eph 6:10-12 | "Finally, be strong in the Lord...For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the cosmic powers..." | Nature of spiritual warfare. |
| Mt 7:24-27 | "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man..." | Wise builder; action upon hearing words. |
| Rom 5:1 | "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." | True peace with God through Christ's work. |
| 2 Cor 5:20 | "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us." | Believers as ambassadors for Christ. |
| Josh 9:3-15 | "When the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done...they acted with cunning...and they made a treaty..." | Example of seeking peace due to perceived threat. |
| Prov 24:6 | "For by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory." | Value of counsel in strategic planning. |
| Psa 33:10-11 | "The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples..." | God's plans stand, human plans may fail. |
| Mt 22:3-5 | "The king sent his servants to call those who were invited...but they paid no attention and went their way..." | Refusal to respond to invitation; different context. |
| Lk 9:62 | "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God." | Warning against indecision/half-heartedness. |
| Rev 3:15-16 | "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot...So because you are lukewarm—and neither hot nor cold—I will spit you out..." | Warning against spiritual lukewarmness. |
| Acts 24:25 | "And as he was discussing righteousness...Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for now. When I have a convenient time I will send for you.”" | An example of deferring decision (not counting the cost fully). |
Luke 14 verses
Luke 14 32 Meaning
Luke 14:32 concludes the parable of the warring king, a continuation of Jesus' teaching on the demanding cost of discipleship. It illustrates the prudent wisdom of a king who, recognizing his inferiority in strength to an approaching enemy, chooses not to engage in a battle he cannot win. Instead, while the enemy is still at a distance, he sends an embassy to propose "conditions of peace" or terms of surrender. Spiritually, this verse emphasizes that genuine commitment to Christ requires a thorough prior evaluation of the sacrifice involved. It counsels prospective followers to realistically assess their willingness and ability to endure the full demands of discipleship, rather than impulsively embarking on a path they cannot sustain. The "conditions of peace" here signify not choosing discipleship if one is unwilling to pay the supreme cost, thereby avoiding spiritual defeat or becoming a superficial follower.
Luke 14 32 Context
Luke 14, following a Sabbath meal, finds Jesus teaching about humility, generosity, and the nature of the Kingdom of God. The immediate preceding context (Luke 14:25-33) outlines Jesus' radical requirements for true discipleship. He speaks to large crowds, warning them about the rigorous demands: "hating" family in comparison to love for Him, and bearing one's own cross. To illustrate the gravity of these statements, Jesus gives two parables: the man building a tower (Luke 14:28-30) and the warring king (Luke 14:31-32). Both parables emphasize the necessity of "counting the cost" or "estimating one's resources" before embarking on a significant endeavor. The king in verse 32 faces a numerically superior enemy, prompting him to send an "ambassage" to request "conditions of peace" rather than face inevitable defeat. Historically, such military diplomacy was a recognized and practical act for a weaker party to avoid annihilation, underscoring pragmatic wisdom. This serves as an analogy for prospective disciples to pragmatically consider the full commitment required to follow Jesus.
Luke 14 32 Word analysis
- Or else (ἢ εἰ μή ge - ē ei mē ge): Greek conjunction, indicating a conditional alternative. It links this second parable (the warring king) to the first (the tower builder), signifying that both illustrate the same principle of forethought. It implies a "failing that," or "if not" – if you don't fight with sufficient strength.
- while the other is yet a great way off (ἔτι πορρω ὄντος αὐτοῦ - eti porrō ontos autou): "Still far off." This phrase highlights prudence and foresight. The king's assessment and subsequent decision are made before the immediate danger or battle commences, not in the midst of it. It signifies taking preventative action and avoiding irreversible consequences.
- he sendeth (πέμψας - pempsas): Aorist active participle, meaning "having sent." It denotes a decisive and completed action based on a prior evaluation. This is a deliberate, calculated move.
- an ambassage (πρεσβείαν - presbeian): From presbeia, meaning "an embassy" or "a body of ambassadors/envoys." In the ancient world, an embassy was a formal diplomatic delegation sent by one ruler to another, typically for negotiation of peace or terms. It emphasizes the seriousness and formality of the overture. The decision to send such a delegation implies the king recognizes his inability to win the battle and seeks an alternative to total annihilation.
- and desireth (ἐρωτᾷ - erōtai): "Asks," "requests," or "inquires." This implies seeking terms or conditions through negotiation, rather than issuing demands. It underscores a posture of humility and concession due to an acknowledged weakness.
- conditions of peace (τὰ πρὸς εἰρήνην - ta pros eirēnēn): Literally, "the things concerning peace." This refers to the terms, articles, or stipulations for reaching an accord or cessation of hostilities. In this context, it implies terms of surrender or concession to avoid utter defeat.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Or else, while the other is yet a great way off": This entire phrase sets the stage for a critical, proactive decision made with foresight. It is about pre-emptive wisdom – assessing danger before it is too late and the fight is upon you. This implies that true discipleship must not be entered into lightly, but with full awareness of what it entails, before one is irrevocably committed.
- "he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace": This action sequence demonstrates rational evaluation and pragmatic survival. The "ambassage" signifies a formal, public act of diplomacy, acknowledging an undeniable weakness and seeking resolution through negotiation rather than battle. Spiritually, for potential disciples, it highlights that if one cannot fully commit to the radical demands of following Christ, it is better to not embark on the journey than to start and fail spectacularly or live a half-hearted, hypocritical spiritual life. It is a severe warning against superficial faith or uncommitted adherence.
Luke 14 32 Bonus section
This verse reveals a seemingly paradoxical yet deeply profound aspect of Jesus' ministry: He actively discourages superficial commitment. Unlike many modern movements that seek to lower the bar to attract more followers, Jesus explicitly lays out the steep demands. His focus is on quality over quantity when it comes to disciples. This challenges a purely pragmatic view of evangelism that aims to gather numbers without emphasizing the full implication of following Christ. The "conditions of peace" can be understood as choosing to remain "neutral" or uncommitted rather than entering the "battle" of discipleship without adequate preparation or willingness, implying a gracious allowance for individuals to step back if they are truly unwilling to pay the cost. It underscores that spiritual reality is not subject to human half-measures or convenient terms. The king, being inferior in strength, faces annihilation, signifying that a half-hearted disciple faces ultimate spiritual loss or proves themselves to be an unfit servant of God.
Luke 14 32 Commentary
Luke 14:32 offers a sobering yet profound lesson on genuine commitment to Christ. Through the parable of the warring king, Jesus emphasizes that the path of discipleship is not for the faint-hearted or unprepared. The king's pragmatic decision to seek "conditions of peace" when outmatched reflects a rational assessment of his capabilities versus the immense power of his adversary. This translates directly to discipleship: one must first thoroughly "count the cost" (as in the preceding tower parable), acknowledging the formidable sacrifice required – a renunciation of earthly allegiances, possessions, and even one's own life. The "other king" represents the demanding nature of true devotion to Christ, which necessitates absolute surrender. If one is unwilling or unable to pay this supreme price, it is, paradoxically, wiser not to undertake the journey of discipleship at all, rather than starting superficially and inevitably failing, thereby bringing shame and undermining the sincerity of the call. This is not about the salvation (which is by grace through faith), but about the profound, all-encompassing commitment of true following (discipleship). It challenges prospective followers to ensure their "resources" (willingness, devotion, faith) are sufficient for the spiritual "warfare" against self, sin, and the world.
Examples for practical usage:
- A person considering baptism or church membership should genuinely examine their commitment level, understanding that discipleship demands transformation and self-denial.
- Someone desiring to serve in a specific ministry should prayerfully assess their willingness to sacrifice time, energy, and comfort, rather than jumping in prematurely and burning out.
- For parents, instilling Christian values in their children requires counting the cost of consistent discipline, personal example, and counter-cultural choices, rather than passively hoping for spiritual growth.