Luke 14:33 kjv

So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

Luke 14:33 nkjv

So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.

Luke 14:33 niv

In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.

Luke 14:33 esv

So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.

Luke 14:33 nlt

So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.

Luke 14 verses

Luke 14 33 Meaning

Luke 14:33 succinctly declares a fundamental prerequisite for true discipleship: the complete and willing relinquishment of everything one possesses, both literally and figuratively. This means surrendering all worldly attachments – possessions, relationships, ambitions, security, self-will, and even one's life – to Christ's supreme authority. It is a demand for absolute allegiance, asserting that one cannot genuinely follow Jesus if anything else holds ultimate priority in the heart. True discipleship necessitates an undivided devotion where Christ alone is Lord and treasure.

Luke 14 33 Context

Luke 14:33 is part of Jesus' teaching on the rigorous demands of discipleship, delivered to "great multitudes" (Lk 14:25) who were following Him. It immediately follows the challenging statements that a disciple must "hate" father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life (Lk 14:26), and must "bear his cross" (Lk 14:27). The verse also serves as the concluding summary of two parables: the man building a tower who couldn't finish (Lk 14:28-30) and the king going to war who calculates whether he has enough strength (Lk 14:31-32). These parables illustrate the absolute necessity of "counting the cost" before embarking on discipleship. Luke 14:33 explicitly states what that cost entails: the renunciation of "all that he has." It marks the point of decision, filtering out casual followers and revealing the radical commitment Jesus expects from His true disciples.

Luke 14 33 Word analysis

• "So likewise" (οὕτως οὖν - houtōs oun): This phrase functions as a conclusive connector, meaning "in the same way therefore" or "consequently." It explicitly links this final demand to the preceding parables about counting the cost. Just as a builder must calculate if he can finish and a king must assess his strength for battle, so too must one count the cost of discipleship, understanding its full, non-negotiable requirement.
• "whoever of you" (πᾶς ἐξ ὑμῶν - pas ex hymōn): This signifies a universal application, directly addressing every single person in the listening crowd and beyond. It leaves no room for exception, indicating that the following requirement applies to anyone who aspires to be Christ's disciple.
• "does not forsake" (οὐκ ἀποτάσσεται - ouk apotassetai): This is a strong negative statement using the Greek verb apotassō, which means "to say farewell to," "to renounce," "to bid adieu," or "to divorce oneself from." It's not merely "giving away" but implies a deliberate and decisive severing of ties, a change of allegiance or ownership. It conveys an internal disposition of non-attachment and a readiness to give up claim or control, more than just a literal act of divestment, though it may include that. The heart's hold on possessions must be broken.
• "all that he has" (πᾶσι τοῖς ἑαυτοῦ ὑπάρχουσιν - pasi tois heautou hyparchousin): This phrase, translating literally to "all his own existing things" or "all things belonging to himself," is profoundly comprehensive. It includes not just material possessions (wealth, property), but also one's standing, reputation, security, rights, ambitions, comforts, desires, and even primary relationships (as implied by Lk 14:26) and life itself. The emphasis is on the totality of what a person holds dear or considers their own, without exception.
• "cannot be" (οὐ δύναται εἶναι - ou dynatai einai): This expresses an absolute impossibility, "it is not possible to be." It is not merely difficult or impractical, but an inherent incapacity. Without this renunciation, one fundamentally lacks the core attribute necessary to be a true disciple. This is a foundational, non-negotiable truth about discipleship.
• "My disciple" (μου μαθητής - mou mathētēs): This refers to a genuine, committed learner or follower of Jesus. A "disciple" is someone who adheres completely to Christ's teachings, follows His way of life, identifies fully with Him, and whose ultimate loyalty and devotion belong exclusively to Him. It implies more than casual admiration; it denotes radical commitment.

Words-group analysis:

• "So likewise, whoever of you": This introductory phrase applies the crucial lesson of counting the cost to every individual listener, making the demand personal and unavoidable. It mandates that each person self-reflect and assess their readiness for such a demanding journey.
• "does not forsake all that he has": This central clause highlights the extreme nature of the prerequisite. It describes a comprehensive act of renunciation—not merely a partial or superficial surrender, but a deep, decisive detachment from everything that competes with Christ for supremacy in one's life. The essence is that nothing should be held back or withheld from God's ownership and authority.
• "cannot be My disciple": This definitive conclusion underscores the absolute necessity of this forsaking. It states that without such total relinquishment and shift in allegiance, one's claim to being a true follower of Christ is void. This establishes a clear, unwavering boundary for what true discipleship entails, setting it apart from any half-hearted or conditional commitment.

Luke 14 33 Bonus section

This demanding declaration from Jesus underscores a paradox of the Kingdom: to truly gain one's life, one must be willing to lose it for His sake (Mt 10:39). It is not about self-impoverishment for its own sake, but rather an emptying of self-reliance and worldly security for the sake of full reliance on Christ and heavenly security. This profound shift of loyalty frees the disciple to truly live for God's purposes, unburdened by attachments that might hinder their obedience or devotion. The challenging nature of this verse highlights Jesus' distinctiveness from other spiritual leaders; He invites not merely adherents, but utterly devoted followers who pledge total allegiance, valuing Christ above all else, visible or invisible. It tests the sincerity of the crowd's initial enthusiasm, calling them to an active decision based on radical commitment.

Luke 14 33 Commentary

Luke 14:33 summarizes Jesus' radical demands for true discipleship, presenting a stark, unavoidable choice. It is not necessarily a universal command for every believer to sell all their worldly possessions, as seen by figures like Nicodemus or Barnabas who did not literally impoverish themselves. Rather, it speaks to an attitude of the heart and a spiritual reality: the willingness and readiness to relinquish anything and everything if Christ's Lordship requires it. This "forsaking" (apotassomai) signifies a profound detachment, a severing of ultimate allegiance from earthly things—whether wealth, comfort, personal ambitions, relationships, or even life itself—and an unwavering commitment to Christ as one's ultimate treasure and sovereign Lord.

The emphasis is on holding nothing back, placing nothing above Christ, and counting all else as loss in comparison to Him (Phil 3:7-8). This teaches that a divided heart cannot truly follow Jesus; true discipleship requires singular devotion and supreme love for Christ. Failure to embrace this total surrender means one "cannot" (it is impossible) be His disciple because the fundamental conflict of allegiances remains unresolved. The passage serves as a filter, distinguishing casual followers from genuinely committed disciples who have counted the cost and chosen Christ above all.

Practical Examples:

• A student chooses to pursue a vocation in ministry or mission, foregoing a high-paying career that might compromise their ability to serve fully.
• A family willingly sells a beloved home or makes significant financial sacrifices to fund a call to missions or to give generously to kingdom causes.
• An individual holds their relationships loosely, prioritizing God's will and calling even when it conflicts with familial or social expectations.
• A person with wealth manages it as a steward for God's glory, not as a personal security blanket or means for selfish indulgence.