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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 14:28

For which of you intending to build a tower ,.... Taking up a profession of Christ and his Gospel, is like building a tower; which, as a tower, must be laid on a good foundation; not on carnal descent and parentage; nor on a sober and religious education; nor on a civil, moral life and conversation; nor on a bare knowledge of Gospel truths and a flash of affection for them, and the people of God; but upon Christ the sure foundation; and on principles of grace formed by his Spirit, in their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 14:29

Lest haply after he hath laid the foundation ,.... Has begun to build, has taken up a profession, has submitted to ordinances, and got into a church state: and is not able to finish it ; a foundation may be laid, and the building may never be finished, because the foundation is not laid right; was it, it would continue, and the building go on, and at last be finished; though no man is able to finish it of himself, yet those hands which have laid the foundation, will raise up the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 14:30

Saying, this man began to build ,.... He set out well, he promised great things, and made a considerable bluster and stir, as if he would carry things at once to a very high pitch: and was not able to finish ; it was all noise and talk, and nothing else: falling off from a profession of religion, exposes men to contempt and scorn; such are not only cast out of churches with disgrace, but are despised by men, by wicked men; and are a reproach, a proverb, and a taunt in all places; and... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 14:28

To build a tower - Probably this means no more than a dwelling house, on the top of which, according to the Asiatic manner, battlements were built, both to take the fresh air on, and to serve for refuge from and defense against an enemy. It was also used for prayer and meditation. This parable represents the absurdity of those who undertook to be disciples of Christ, without considering what difficulties they were to meet with, and what strength they had to enable them to go through with... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 14:28

Verse 28 Luke 14:28.For which of you, etc , That no one may think it hard to follow Christ on the condition of renouncing all his desires, a useful warning is here given. We must consider beforehand what the profession of the gospel demands. The reason why many persons yield to very slight temptations is, that they have pictured to themselves unmixed enjoyment, as if they were to be always in the shade and at their ease. No man will ever become fit to serve Christ till he has undergone a long... 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

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