Devine Scripture

Luke 14:28

What does Luke 14:28 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 14:28 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 14:28 means

Jesus asks who would build a tower without first sitting down to calculate costs and ensure he can finish. Wise builders plan, budget, and assess resources before starting. The point is not to discourage discipleship, but to encourage sober commitment. Counting the cost honors the seriousness of following Jesus. Better to be honest at the outset than to begin lightly and fail publicly. The image suggests that discipleship is a construction project—long-term, intentional, and visible. It requires endurance and provision that only God finally supplies, but we must still weigh what it will mean for our time, pride, relationships, and possessions.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For which of you, desiring to build a tower, doth not first sit down and count the cost, whether he have wherewith to complete it?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For which of you, desiring to build a tower, doth not first sit down and count the cost, whether he have wherewith to complete it?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For which of you, desiring to put up a tower, does not first give much thought to the price, if he will have enough to make it complete?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`For who of you, willing to build a tower, doth not first, having sat down, count the expence, whether he have the things for completing?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For which of you, having a mind to build a tower, doth not first sit down and reckon the charges that are necessary, whether he have wherewithal to finish it:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For which of you, desirous of building a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, if he have what [is needed] to complete it;

Context

This first analogy follows the cross-bearing demand to highlight prudence. Verses 29–30 will spell out the shame of an unfinished project, which mirrors the disgrace of starting with enthusiasm and quitting when pressures come. The next analogy (verses 31–32) will shift from building to battle, adding the element of risk and strategy. Together they emphasize thoughtful commitment before embarking on the path Jesus lays out in verses 26–27.

v.27Whosoever doth not bear his own cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

v.28This passage

v.29Lest haply, when he hath laid a foundation, and is not able to finish, all that behold begin to mock him,

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 8:20

    And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the heaven have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

  • Matthew 10:22

    And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.

  • Matthew 20:22

    But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink the cup that I am about to drink? They say unto him, We are able.

  • Acts 21:13

    Then Paul answered, What do ye, weeping and breaking my heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

  • Genesis 11:4

    And they said, Come, let us build us a city, and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven, and let us make us a name; lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.

  • Joshua 24:19

    And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve Jehovah; for he is a holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgression nor your sins.

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