Devine Scripture

Luke 14:13

What does Luke 14:13 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 14:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 14:13 means

Jesus directs the host to invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind—people who cannot repay. This is radical hospitality that mirrors God’s heart. It dignifies those society overlooks and proclaims that worth is not measured by usefulness or status. Such a table embodies grace, because guests bring need, not leverage. It anticipates the gospel’s reach: God seeks the outcast and broken. This command also teaches us to give where our only return is God’s smile. In showing kindness to the least, we align with God’s character and participate in His kingdom’s upside-down economy of mercy.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But when thou makest a feast, bid the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But when thou makest a feast, bid the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But when you give a feast, send for the poor and the blind and those who are broken in body:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

but when thou mayest make a feast, be calling poor, maimed, lame, blind,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame and the blind.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But when thou makest a feast, call poor, crippled, lame, blind:

Context

This verse names the very people who later populate the master’s banquet in the parable of the Great Supper (verses 21–23), tying the lessons together. Immediately in verse 14, Jesus will promise blessing to those who practice such hospitality, not in immediate reciprocity but at the resurrection. The connection prepares the table talk for the kingdom theme that a fellow diner will mention in verse 15, which becomes the springboard for the parable contrasting human excuses with God’s determination to fill His feast.

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.

v.13This passage

v.14and thou shalt be blessed; because they have not wherewith to recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed in the resurrection of the just.

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 22:10

    And those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was filled with guests.

  • Isaiah 58:7

    Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

  • Romans 12:13

    communicating to the necessities of the saints; given to hospitality.

  • Matthew 15:32

    And Jesus called unto him his disciples, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days and have nothing to eat: and I would not send them away fasting, lest haply they faint on the way.

  • Acts 2:44

    And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

  • Acts 4:34

    For neither was there among them any that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

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