Devine Scripture

Luke 14:18

What does Luke 14:18 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 14:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 14:18 means

They all begin to make excuses. The first says he must go see a field he has bought. The reasons sound reasonable, but they expose priorities: property over presence with the host. The excuse also rings hollow—who buys land without inspection? Jesus unmasks how earthly concerns, even legitimate ones, become substitutes for responding to God. The issue is not fields or work per se, but a heart that treats God’s invitation as interrupting more important business. The chorus of excuses reveals a shared disposition: the feast is not compelling to them. Indifference to grace is the root of refusal.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a field, and I must needs go out and see it; I pray thee have me excused.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a field, and I must needs go out and see it; I pray thee have me excused.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And they all gave reasons why they were not able to come. The first said to him, I have got a new field, and it is necessary for me to go and see it: I am full of regret that I am unable to come.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And they began with one consent all to excuse themselves: The first said to him, A field I bought, and I have need to go forth and see it; I beg of thee, have me excused.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And they began all at once to make excuse. The first said to him: I have bought a farm and I must needs go out and see it. I pray thee, hold me excused.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And all began, without exception, to excuse themselves. The first said to him, I have bought land, and I must go out and see it; I pray thee hold me for excused.

Context

This is the first of three excuses, each highlighting a different ordinary concern—property, work, and family. Together, they show a pattern rather than isolated cases. The next two verses will complete the set. The servant’s return in verse 21 will prompt the master’s anger and a redirection of the invitation to those who had no expectation of inclusion. The narrative arc moves from presumption and refusal to surprising inclusion, consistent with the chapter’s emphasis on humility and grace to the lowly.

v.17and he sent forth his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.

v.18This passage

v.19And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them; I pray thee have me excused.

Cross references

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

  • 1 John 2:15

    Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

  • Matthew 22:5

    But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his merchandise;

  • 1 Timothy 6:9

    But they that are minded to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, such as drown men in destruction and perdition.

  • Acts 13:45

    But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul, and blasphemed.

  • Hebrews 12:16

    lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one mess of meat sold his own birthright.

  • John 5:40

    and ye will not come to me, that ye may have life.

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