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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Luke 14:7-14

Our Lord Jesus here sets us an example of profitable edifying discourse at our tables, when we are in company with our friends. We find that when he had none but his disciples, who were his own family, with him at his table, his discourse with them was good, and to the use of edifying; and not only so, but when he was in company with strangers, nay, with enemies that watched him, he took occasion to reprove what he saw amiss in them, and to instruct them. Though the wicked were before him, he... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Luke 14:7-11

14:7-11 Jesus spoke a parable to the invited guests, for he noticed how they chose the first places at the table. "When you are bidden by someone to a marriage feast," he said. "do not take your place at table in the first scat, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited, for in that case the man who invited you will come and say to you, 'Give place to this man.' And then, with shame, you will begin to take the lowest place. But, when you have been invited, go and sit down... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 14:7

And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden ,.... To the dinner at the Pharisee's house, particularly the lawyers, or Scribes and Pharisees: when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms ; the uppermost places at the table, which these men loved, coveted, and sought after; See Gill on Matthew 23:6 . saying unto them ; as follows. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 14:8

When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding ,.... To a wedding dinner, or to any other; such an one as the present entertainment was, which was not a marriage feast, for they might not marry on the sabbath day; See Gill on John 2:1 but a common sabbath meal: sit not down in the highest room : in the chief place at table, as soon as come in: lest a more honourable man ; for age, office, dignity, wisdom, learning, or riches: than thou be bidden of him : the master of the feast;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 14:9

And he that bade thee and him ,.... To the feast, and who is the master of it, and has a right to dispose of, and order his guests at his table, as he thinks fit: come and say to thee, give this man place ; pray rise up, and give this honourable man this seat, which is more suitable for a person of his rank and figure, and take another: and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room ; or place, which must unavoidably fill a man with shame and confusion; because hereby his pride... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 14:10

But when thou art bidden ,.... To an entertainment, and the time is come, go and sit down in the lowest room : place thyself at the lower end of the table, or in the most inferior seat; which will show humility and lowliness of mind, and prevent shame and mortification; since there can be no putting into a lower place, and there may be an advance to an higher: that when he that bade thee cometh ; into the dining room, and observe in what place thou art: he may say unto thee,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 14:7

They chose out the chief rooms - When custom and law have regulated and settled places in public assemblies, a man who is obliged to attend may take the place which belongs to him, without injury to himself or to others: when nothing of this nature is settled, the law of humility, and the love of order, are the only judges of what is proper. To take the highest place when it is not our due is public vanity: obstinately to refuse it when offered is another instance of the same vice; though... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 14:7

Verse 7 7.And he spoke a parable to those who were invited. We know to what an extent ambition prevailed among the Pharisees and all the scribes. While they desired to exercise a haughty dominion over all other men, the superiority among themselves was likewise an object of emulation. It is constantly the case with men who are desirous of empty applause, that they cherish envy towards each other, every one endeavoring to draw to himself what others imagine to be due to them. Thus the Pharisees... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 14:1-24

The great supper. The feast of which Christ, was partaking had been carefully prepared, and was an event of some consequence in the town. This may be inferred not only from the tone of the Lord's remarks, but also from the intimations of the evangelists. Thus from Luke 14:12 it appears that the Pharisee had gathered together the elite of the place, along with his more intimate friends and his kinsmen. From Luke 14:7 we learn that there had been an eager scramble on the part of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 14:1-24

Table-talk of Jesus. We have now brought before us an interesting conversation which Jesus had with certain guests at an entertainment in the house of "one of the chief Pharisees." It was a sabbath-day feast, indicating that sociality was not incompatible even with Jewish sabbath-keeping. Into the guest-chamber had come a poor man afflicted with the dropsy, and, to the compassionate eye of our Lord, he afforded an opportunity for a miracle of mercy. But, before performing it, he tests... read more

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