Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Luke 14:28-33

Luke 14:28-33. Which of you, intending to build a tower, (the word πυργος here signifying the same as the Hebrew migdol, seems to denote any great building whatever,) sitteth not down first and counteth the cost To illustrate the necessity of their weighing deliberately, whether they were able and prepared to bear all their losses and persecutions to which the profession of the gospel would expose them, which indeed was the only term on which they could be his disciples, he desired them... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Luke 14:25-35

101. More about discipleship (Luke 14:25-35)The crowds that followed Jesus thought he was on the way to a throne. Jesus told them he was on the way to a cross. If they wanted to follow him they had to understand what his kingdom was like and what his followers could expect. They had to love him above everything else, and had to be prepared for self-sacrifice and even death (Luke 14:25-27).Like a farmer building a tower or a king going to war, the person wanting to be a disciple of Jesus had... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Luke 14:31

to make war = to encounter for (Greek. eis. App-104 .) war. with = in [the midst of]. Greek en. App-104 . to meet . Greek. apantao, as in Matthew 28:9 . against. Greek. epi. App-104 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Luke 14:32

Greek.else = If not. ambassage = embassy. Only here and Luke 19:14 . desireth = asketh, or seeketh. App-134 . conditions = the [terms]. of = for. Greek. pros. App-104 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Luke 14:31

Or what king, as he goeth to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and take counsel whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and asketh conditions of peace.The meaning of these two parables is similar; but the unusual nature of the illustration here suggests the possibility that there might have been a historical basis of it. Spence pointed out that... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Luke 14:31-32

Luke 14:31-32. Or, what king, &c.— According to Sir Isaac Newton's Chronology, these words were spoken at our Lord's last passover, and might possibly refer to Herod's leading his army through Judea against Aretas king of Arabia. The phrase representing the feebler person as begging a peace, supplies us with a proper emblem of the humility and resignation with which peace is to be sought from an offended God, who is possessed of a strength, not as in the case literally supposed here, but... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 14:18-35

E. Instruction about the kingdom 13:18-14:35The larger division of the Gospel that records Jesus’ ministry on the way to Jerusalem and the Cross continues with more teaching about the coming kingdom. The parables of the kingdom that begin this section (Luke 13:18-21) introduce this section. The difference in Jesus’ teaching in the present section is a matter of emphasis rather than a clear-cut change. The subtlety of this distinction is observable in that the commentators differ over where they... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 14:25-35

5. The cost of discipleship 14:25-35Luke had just recorded Jesus’ teaching about God’s gracious invitation to enjoy the messianic banquet in the kingdom. It was free for all who would respond. Jesus taught elsewhere that responding meant believing on Him. Now Luke recorded Jesus’ teaching that though salvation was free, discipleship was costly. This is important balancing revelation. Salvation guarantees heaven, but it also calls for complete commitment to Jesus, not to secure heaven but to... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Luke 14:31-32

This second parable makes essentially the same point as the first one. However the cost of failure in this one is not just embarrassment but personal destruction. It is very important to assess the strength of one’s enemy correctly. Jesus was not encouraging people to stop following Him because they feared they could not withstand temptations. He wanted them to follow Him, but intelligently, not naively. There were probably no kings in Jesus’ audience, but the people could easily put themselves... read more

Group of Brands