Luke 14:28

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 14:28

of = out of. Greek. ek. App-104 . Not the same word as in Luke 14:8 . intending = desiring. See App-102 . not. App-105 . counteth = reckoneth, or calculateth. Greek psephizo. Occurs only here and in Revelation 13:18 in N.T. It is from psephos = a pebble, with which calculations were made, or votes given. Occurs only in Acts 26:10 . Revelation 2:17 cost . Greek. dapane. Occurs only here. whether. Same as "if" in Luke 14:26 . sufficient to finish it = the [means] for (Greek. pros.... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Luke 14:28

For which of you, desiring to build a tower, doth not first sit down and count the cost, whether he have wherewith to complete it? Lest haply, when he hath laid a foundation, and is not able to finish, all that behold begin to mock him, saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.As Henry said, "All that take upon them a profession of religion, undertake to build a tower."[38] The Saviour's teaching here is that the endeavor should be attempted in full view of the enormous cost... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Luke 14:28

Luke 14:28. To build a tower,— We learn from eastern writers, that besides fortified towns and cities, they used to have towers for the people of open towns to fly to in time of danger, as well as magnificent towers for pleasure in their gardens. Our Lord probably refers to a tower of this latter kind; for one can hardly think, with some commentators, that he is speaking of the slight and unexpensive buildings in a vineyard, which indeed are sometimes so slight, as to consist only of four... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Luke 14:28

28-33. which of you, c.—Common sense teaches men not to begin any costly work without first seeing that they have wherewithal to finish. And he who does otherwise exposes himself to general ridicule. Nor will any wise potentate enter on a war with any hostile power without first seeing to it that, despite formidable odds (two to one), he be able to stand his ground and if he has no hope of this, he will feel that nothing remains for him but to make the best terms he can. Even so, says our Lord,... 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 14:28-30

The parable of the tower builder 14:28-30Jesus then told another parable. His point was that those in the crowd who were considering becoming disciples of His should count the cost before they embarked on a life of discipleship."The simple fact is that the New Testament never takes for granted that believers will see discipleship through to the end. And it never makes this kind of perseverance either a condition or a proof of final salvation from hell."It . . . is simply a theological illusion... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 14:1-35

The Dropsical Man. The Great Supper. Divers Sayings and Parables1-6. The sabbath question again. The man with the dropsy healed (peculiar to Lk).1. To eat bread] So far from being abstemious on the sabbath, the Jews carried the pleasures of the table to excess. ’The Hebrews honour the sabbath chiefly by inviting each other to drinking and intoxication’ (Plutarch). ’Rabbah Abba bought flesh of thirteen butchers that he might be sure to taste the best, and paid them at the very gate, that he... read more

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