Luke 14:32
What does Luke 14:32 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 14:32 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 14:32 means
If the king discerns he cannot win, he sends an embassy to ask for peace while the other is still far away. The point is not cowardice but wisdom—seek terms while there is time. Spiritually, Jesus urges sober recognition of our inability to win on our own terms. The wise course is unconditional surrender to His lordship. Better to make peace with the true King now than face defeat later. This realism does not cheapen grace; it honors it by acknowledging our limits and Christ’s claims. Discipleship is not negotiation for partial control; it is yielded trust before the day of reckoning.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and asketh conditions of peace.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and asketh conditions of peace.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Or while the other is still a great distance away, he sends representatives requesting conditions of peace.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and if not so--he being yet a long way off--having sent an embassy, he doth ask the things for peace.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Or else, while the other is yet afar off, sending an embassy, he desireth conditions of peace.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and if not, while he is yet far off, having sent an embassy, he asks for terms of peace.
Context
This verse completes the warfare analogy by showing prudent action in light of inadequate strength. With both analogies concluded, Jesus will drive home the application in verse 33: only those who renounce all can be His disciples. That statement makes explicit what counting the cost entails. The following salt sayings (verses 34–35) will warn that without this decisive, preserving commitment, discipleship becomes tasteless and worthless.
v.31Or what king, as he goeth to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and take counsel whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
v.32This passage
v.33So therefore whosoever he be of you that renounceth not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 12:58
For as thou art going with thine adversary before the magistrate, on the way give diligence to be quit of him; lest haply he drag thee unto the judge, and the judge shall deliver thee to the officer, and the officer shall cast thee into prison.
- James 4:6
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore the scripture saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.
- Job 40:9
Or hast thou an arm like God? And canst thou thunder with a voice like him?
- Acts 12:20
Now he was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: and they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king’s chamberlain their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was fed from the king’s country.
- Matthew 5:25
Agree with thine adversary quickly, while thou art with him in the way; lest haply the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
- 1 Kings 20:31
And his servants said unto him, Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings: let us, we pray thee, put sackcloth on our loins, and ropes upon our heads, and go out to the king of Israel: peradventure he will save thy life.
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