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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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 14:33

Verse 33 Luke 14:33.So then every one of you This clause shows what is meant by the calculation of expenses, with which Christ enjoins his followers to begin: it is to lead them to consider that they must forsake all In vain do persons who are delighted with an easy, indolent life, and with exemption from the cross, undertake a profession of Christianity. Those persons are said to forsake all who prefer Christ so greatly, both to their own life, and to all the wishes of the flesh, that nothing... 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 14:28-30

For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. The imagery was not an unfamiliar one in those days. The magnificent Herodian house had a passion for erecting great buildings, sacred and profane, in the varied cities under their sway.... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 14:33

So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple . "We must live in this world as though the soul was already in heaven and the body mouldering in the grave" (St. Francis de Sales). There was much unreasoning, possibly not a little sentimental enthusiasm, among the people who crowded round Jesus in these last months of his work. The stern, uncompromising picture of what ought to be the life of his real followers was painted especially with a... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 14:28

Intending to build a tower - See Matthew 21:33. A tower was a place of defense or observation, erected on high places or in vineyards, to guard against enemies. It was made “high,” so as to enable one to see an enemy when he approached; and “strong,” so that it could not be easily taken.Counteth the cost - Makes a calculation how much it will cost to build it. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 14:29

Haply - Perhaps.To mock him - To ridicule him. To laugh at him. read more

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