Luke 14:23

And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and constrain them to come in, that my house may be filled.

"This time the master of the house invites to his banquet the Gentiles."[31] As this had not yet been accomplished at the time of this parable, it is clear that the parable was prophetic at this point, moving altogether beyond the narrow circle of Israel, either of its leaders or its less noble classes. All men will be laid under tribute to provide guests for the Father's kingdom banquet.

Constrain them ... is translated "compel them" in some versions; but only a moral and rational force is indicated. Despite this, these words are a favorite text of the persecutor and inquisitor.

Long ago, Augustine used this text as a justification for religious persecution. It was used as a defense, and even as a command, to coerce people into the Christian faith. It was used as a defense for the inquisition, the thumb-screw, the rack, the threat of death and imprisonment - and for all those things which are the shame of Christianity.[32]

Christ never intended that kind of constraint to bring people into his kingdom; and "The church which tolerates, encourages, and practices persecution is not the Church of Christ; and no man can be of such a church without endangering his salvation."[33]

That my house may be filled ... These words are a definite suggestion that God intends to redeem from earth "a certain number of souls." "The invitation will therefore be continued, and consequently the history of our race prolonged, until that number be reached."[34]

[31] H. D. M. Spence, op. cit., p. 26.

[32] William Barclay, op. cit., p. 200.

[33] Adam Clarke, op. cit., p. 455.

[34] H. D. M. Spence, op. cit., p. 27.