Devine Scripture

Luke 14:33

What does Luke 14:33 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 14:33 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 14:33 means

Jesus applies the principle: whoever does not renounce all that he has cannot be His disciple. This is comprehensive surrender—possessions, plans, relationships, and self-claims are yielded to Jesus’ authority. He may not call every disciple to sell everything, but He calls all to hold everything at His disposal. Renunciation is inward and practical: we no longer treat anything as ours absolutely. This frees us from idolatry and enables sacrificial obedience. The demand is severe because Jesus is worthy and because half-hearted allegiance spoils into hypocrisy. Counting the cost leads here: we let go of all to receive Him as Lord and treasure.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

So therefore whosoever he be of you that renounceth not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

So therefore whosoever he be of you that renounceth not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And so whoever is not ready to give up all he has may not be my disciple.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`So, then, every one of you who doth not take leave of all that he himself hath, is not able to be my disciple.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

So likewise every one of you that doth not renounce all that he possesseth cannot be my disciple.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Thus then every one of you who forsakes not all that is his own cannot be my disciple.

Context

This is the climactic application of the two analogies and the earlier demands of verses 26–27. It defines the cost that must be counted. Immediately after, Jesus will speak about salt (verses 34–35), illustrating the necessity of a distinct, preserving quality in disciples. Without this full-hearted renunciation, discipleship loses its potency and becomes useless, like tasteless salt. The section thus moves from call to calculation to consequence.

v.32Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and asketh conditions of peace.

v.33This passage

v.34Salt therefore is good: but if even the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be seasoned?

Cross references

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

  • Luke 5:28

    And he forsook all, and rose up and followed him.

  • Luke 14:26

    If any man cometh unto me, and hateth not his own father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

  • Acts 5:1

    But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

  • Luke 18:22

    And when Jesus heard it, he said unto him, One thing thou lackest yet: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

  • 2 Timothy 4:10

    for Demas forsook me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

  • Acts 8:19

    saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit.

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