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Luke 14:7-14
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Humility and Hospitality

7 When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable.(A) 8 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host,(B) 9 and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, ‘Give this person your place,’ and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you.(C) 11 For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”(D)

12 He said also to the one who had invited him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers and sisters or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.(E) 14 And you will be blessed because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

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Luke 14:7-14
New English Translation

On Seeking Seats of Honor

7 Then[a] when Jesus[b] noticed how the guests[c] chose the places of honor,[d] he told them a parable. He said to them, 8 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast,[e] do not take[f] the place of honor, because a person more distinguished than you may have been invited by your host.[g] 9 So[h] the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this man your place.’ Then, ashamed,[i] you will begin to move to the least important[j] place. 10 But when you are invited, go and take the least important place, so that when your host[k] approaches he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up here to a better place.’[l] Then you will be honored in the presence of all who share the meal with you. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but[m] the one who humbles[n] himself will be exalted.”

12 He[o] said also to the man[p] who had invited him, “When you host a dinner or a banquet,[q] don’t invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors so you can be invited by them in return and get repaid. 13 But when you host an elaborate meal,[r] invite the poor, the crippled,[s] the lame, and[t] the blind.[u] 14 Then[v] you will be blessed,[w] because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid[x] at the resurrection of the righteous.”

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 14:7 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
  2. Luke 14:7 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  3. Luke 14:7 tn Grk “those who were invited.”
  4. Luke 14:7 tn Or “the best places.” The “places of honor” at the meal would be those closest to the host.
  5. Luke 14:8 tn Or “banquet.” This may not refer only to a wedding feast, because this term can have broader sense (note the usage in Esth 2:18; 9:22 LXX). However, this difference does not affect the point of the parable.
  6. Luke 14:8 tn Grk “do not recline in the place of honor.” 1st century middle eastern meals were not eaten while sitting at a table, but while reclining on one’s side on the floor with the head closest to the low table and the feet farthest away.
  7. Luke 14:8 tn Grk “by him”; the referent (the host) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  8. Luke 14:9 tn Grk “host, and.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate this action is a result of the situation described in the previous verse. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
  9. Luke 14:9 tn Or “then in disgrace”; Grk “with shame.” In this culture avoiding shame was important.
  10. Luke 14:9 tn Grk “lowest place” (also in the repetition of the phrase in the next verse).
  11. Luke 14:10 tn Grk “the one who invited you.”
  12. Luke 14:10 tn Grk “Go up higher.” This means to move to a more important place.
  13. Luke 14:11 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context, which involves the reversal of expected roles.
  14. Luke 14:11 sn The point of the statement the one who humbles himself will be exalted is humility and the reversal imagery used to underline it is common: Luke 1:52-53; 6:21; 10:15; 18:14.
  15. Luke 14:12 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
  16. Luke 14:12 sn That is, the leader of the Pharisees (v. 1).
  17. Luke 14:12 tn The meaning of the two terms for meals here, ἄριστον (ariston) and δεῖπνον (deipnon), essentially overlap (L&N 23.22). Translators usually try to find two terms for a meal to use as equivalents (e.g., lunch and dinner, dinner and supper, etc.). In this translation “dinner” and “banquet” have been used, since the expected presence of rich neighbors later in the verse suggests a rather more elaborate occasion than an ordinary meal.
  18. Luke 14:13 tn This term, δοχή (dochē), is a third term for a meal (see v. 12) that could also be translated “banquet, feast.”
  19. Luke 14:13 sn Normally the term means crippled as a result of being maimed or mutilated (L&N 23.177).
  20. Luke 14:13 tn Here “and” has been supplied between the last two elements in the series in keeping with English style.
  21. Luke 14:13 sn This list of needy is like Luke 7:22. See Deut 14:28-29; 16:11-14; 26:11-13.
  22. Luke 14:14 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate that this follows from the preceding action. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
  23. Luke 14:14 sn You will be blessed. God notes and approves of such generosity.
  24. Luke 14:14 sn The passive verb will be repaid looks at God’s commendation.
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