Luke 14:19
What does Luke 14:19 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 14:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 14:19 means
The second excuse concerns business: five yoke of oxen must be tested. It suggests urgency and responsibility, yet it treats the feast as dispensable. Success, productivity, and immediate tasks can become rivals to the kingdom when they claim ultimate priority. Again, the surface logic hides a deeper disregard for the host. People often decline God’s call not by open hostility but by busy preoccupation. Jesus exposes the subtle tyranny of work when it eclipses worship, relationship, and the joy of God’s provision. The tragedy is not oxen tested, but a heart that cannot be inconvenienced by grace.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them; I pray thee have me excused.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them; I pray thee have me excused.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And another said, I have got some cattle, and I am going to make a test of them: I am full of regret that I am unable to come.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`And another said, Five yoke of oxen I bought, and I go on to prove them; I beg of thee, have me excused:
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And another said: I have bought five yoke of oxen and I go to try them. I pray thee, hold me excused.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them; I pray thee hold me for excused.
Context
Paired with the first excuse about a field, this one adds variety to the pattern—possessions and productivity alike can displace the feast. The third excuse (verse 20) will raise family as another competing good. After these, the servant will report to the master, triggering a decisive and gracious response to fill the banquet with those least likely to be invited. The mounting weight of excuses prepares for the master’s anger and the dramatic expansion of the guest list.
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