Devine Scripture

Luke 14:11

What does Luke 14:11 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 14:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 14:11 means

Jesus states the overarching rule of the kingdom: everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. God actively opposes pride and lifts the lowly. This is more than social advice; it describes God’s moral order. Pride makes self the center; humility submits to God’s evaluation. The saying warns the ambitious and comforts the overlooked. It also points forward to Jesus Himself, who embodies perfect humility and receives exaltation. For His followers, the path is clear: descend into service and trust God with outcomes. In time, God will vindicate the humble and bring the proud to see their smallness.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For every man who gives himself a high place will be put down, but he who takes a low place will be lifted up.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

because every one who is exalting himself shall be humbled, and he who is humbling himself shall be exalted.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Because every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled: and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

for every one that exalts himself shall be abased, and he that abases himself shall be exalted.

Context

This climactic principle concludes the seating parable and bridges to the next lesson. Having addressed the guests’ pursuit of honor, Jesus now turns to the host, challenging the common practice of reciprocal entertaining. The link is logical: if God grants true honor, we are free to invite those who cannot repay. Verses 12–14 will reframe hospitality around grace and promise heavenly reward rather than earthly return. That ethic will then set up the parable of the Great Supper, which pictures God’s generous invitation to the least and the danger of refusing His call.

v.10But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest place; that when he that hath bidden thee cometh, he may say to thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have glory in the presence of all that sit at meat with thee.

v.11This passage

v.12And he said to him also that had bidden him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, nor thy kinsmen, nor rich neighbors; lest haply they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 18:14

    I say unto you, This man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled; but he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

  • Proverbs 15:33

    The fear of Jehovah is the instruction of wisdom; And before honorgoethhumility.

  • 1 Samuel 15:17

    And Samuel said, Though thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel? And Jehovah anointed thee king over Israel;

  • Isaiah 2:11

    The lofty looks of man shall be brought low, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and Jehovah alone shall be exalted in that day.

  • James 4:10

    Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall exalt you.

  • Isaiah 2:17

    And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be brought low; and Jehovah alone shall be exalted in that day.

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