Section 14:15–24

Jesus told a parable about a great feast

Jesus next told a parable about a feast that a man invited many people to attend. When they refused to come, he invited other people instead. This parable teaches that it is very important to accept God’s invitation to be a part of his kingdom. The people who refused the invitation represent people who are not interested in being part of God’s kingdom. Those who accepted the invitation represent people who are glad to be part of God’s kingdom.

Luke 14:16–24 is all one speech by Jesus. Check to be sure that this is clear in your translation.

Some other possible headings for this section are:

The parable of the excuses
-or-
The guests who refused the invitation to attend a banquet

There is a similar parable in Matthew 22:1–10. However, many details are different, so be careful not to translate both parables in the same way.

Paragraph 14:15–17

14:15a

When one of those reclining with Him heard this: The phrase one of those reclining with Him refers to one of the guests who was eating at the Pharisee’s house with Jesus (14:1). Probably all the other guests also heard what Jesus said. Be careful not to imply that only one of the guests heard what Jesus said. Some other ways to translate the meaning are:

After Jesus had finished speaking, one of the guests said (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
One of the guests who heard what Jesus said spoke up. He said to Jesus

those reclining with Him: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as those reclining with Him refers to the people who were eating with Jesus. They were probably lying down next to a low table. The New International Version adds the phrase “at the table” to make the meaning clear, and most other English versions do something similar. You should use an expression that is natural in your language. Other ways to translate it are:

the dinner guests (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
those eating with him (God’s Word)
-or-
the guests sitting at the table (Good News Translation)

14:15b

Blessed is everyone who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God: Many Jews believed that when the Messiah came to rule, he would begin his rule by inviting people to a great feast. All of the people who had been faithful to God would come to the feast. They would be the ones who would enjoy the blessings of the Messiah’s rule.

The phrase at the feast in the kingdom of God is similar to the reference in 13:29b. See how you translated the phrase there.

Blessed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Blessed describes a person who has received a great honor and privilege from God. The favor and kindness that God has shown to the person results in the person being in a good situation.

Some English versions translate this word as “happy.” In your translation, try to use an expression that refers to a fortunate situation rather than simply to a feeling of happiness. For example:

Joyful/desirable is your situation
-or-
How good it is for you
-or-
You are privileged/fortunate

Do not use a word that only refers to material prosperity or physical health. See the note at 10:23b, where the same word occurs in a similar context. It also occurs in 6:20b and in this chapter at 14:14a. See bless, Meaning 3, in the Glossary.

everyone: The Greek expression that the Berean Standard Bible translates as everyone refers to anyone and everyone who goes to the feast. It is not talking about only one person. Other ways to translate this expression are:

anyone (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
those (Revised English Bible)

will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God: In most contexts the phrase the kingdom of God refers to God’s activity of ruling and caring for his people as their king. It does not refer to a land or country that he rules over. However, in this context, the emphasis is on being in a place where God rules or being among people whom God rules. Some ways to translate this phrase are:

will be included in the feast of all those whom God rules and cares for
-or-
will feast together in the ⌊good⌋ place where God rules

See the notes at 13:28b and 13:29b, where the term “kingdom of God” is used in a similar context.

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