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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Luke 14:25-35

See how Christ in his doctrine suited himself to those to whom he spoke, and gave every one his portion of meat. To Pharisees he preached humility and charity. He is in these verses directing his discourse to the multitudes that crowded after him, and seemed zealous in following him; and his exhortation to them is to understand the terms of discipleship, before they undertook the profession of it, and to consider what they did. See here, I. How zealous people were in their attendance on Christ... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Luke 14:25-33

14:25-33 Great crowds were on the way with Jesus. He turned and said to them, "If any man comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, and wife and children, and brothers and sisters, and even his own life too, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Which of you, if he wishes to build a tower, does not first sit down and reckon up the expense, to see whether he has enough to finish it? This he does lest, when he has laid the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 14:31

Or what king going to make war against another king ,.... Our Lord illustrates the same thing, the business of a profession, by another similitude, or parable; taking up a profession of religion, is like to two kings engaging in a war. The king on the one side, is the Christian professor; true believers are kings, they have the apparel of kings, the royal robe of Christ's righteousness; they live like kings, at the table of the King of kings; have the attendance of kings, angels ministering... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 14:32

Or else, while the other is a great way off ,.... Upon his march, with resolution to come up and give battle, though as yet at a distance: he sendeth an ambassage ; or men, with an embassy to him: and desireth conditions of peace ; greatly to his disadvantage and reproach: so to give out, and leave off fighting with sin, Satan, and the world, and make peace with them, is shameful and scandalous; but on the other hand, such who have engaged in this war, should pursue it with rigour... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 14:25-33

The time and the room for calculation in religion. What room is there in the religion of Jesus Christ for calculation? What amount of reckoning before acting is permissible to the disciple of our Lord? When and in what way should he ask of himself—Can I afford to do this? Have I strength enough to undertake it? I. THE CIRCUMSTANCE WHICH SUGGESTED THE IDEA . It was the temporary popularity of Christ that led him to the strain of remark we have in the text. "There went great... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 14:25-35

The qualifications of his real disciples. Two short parables illustrative of the high pries such a real disciple must pay if he would indeed be his. The halfhearted disciple is compared to flavourless salt. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 14:25-35

The cost of discipleship. The Pharisee's banquet being over, our Lord continues his journey towards Jerusalem, and, as a crisis is evidently at hand, he has a goodly multitude of expectant followers. Have they any notion of the cost of discipleship? Are they prepared for all which it involves? Jesus determines to make this unmistakable, and so he gives them the admonition contained in the present section. He gives point to his advice by mentioning the folly of beginning to build a tower... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 14:31-32

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! Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace . It is not improbable that this simile was derived from the history of the time. The unhappy connection of the tetrarch Herod with Herodias had brought about the divorce of that sovereign's first... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 14:31

With ten thousand to meet ... - Whether he will be able, with the forces which he “has,” to meet his enemy. Christ here perhaps intends to denote that the enemies which we have to encounter in following him are many and strong, and that “our” strength is comparatively feeble. “To meet him.” To contend with him. To gain a victory over him. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 14:32

Or else - If he is not able. If he is satisfied that he would be defeated.An ambassage - Persons to treat with an enemy and propose terms of peace. These expressions are not to be improperly pressed in order to obtain from them a spiritual signification. The general scope of the parable is to be learned from the connection, and may be thus expressed:1. Every man who becomes a follower of Jesus should calmly and deliberately look at all the consequences of such an act and be prepared to meet... read more

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