Devine Scripture

Luke 14:7

What does Luke 14:7 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 14:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 14:7 means

Noticing how guests chose the chief seats, Jesus speaks a parable to those invited. He aims at the instinct to seek status and recognition. Table order in that culture reflected social rank; people grasped for places of honor to display importance. Jesus uses a familiar scene to unveil the deeper spiritual issue: pride maneuvers for prominence, but God honors humility. The parable will show the shame of presuming on honor and the wisdom of taking the lowest place. By addressing the invited, He gently confronts competitive hearts and invites a better way—one that trusts God to assign honor rather than grabbing it for oneself.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he spake a parable unto those that were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief seats; saying unto them,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he spake a parable unto those that were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief seats; saying unto them,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he gave teaching in the form of a story to the guests who came to the feast, when he saw how they took the best seats; saying to them,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And he spake a simile unto those called, marking how they were choosing out the first couches, saying unto them,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he spoke a parable also to them that were invited, marking how they chose the first seats at the table, saying to them:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he spoke a parable to those that were invited, remarking how they chose out the first places, saying to them,

Context

With the Sabbath dispute ended, the focus shifts to the meal’s social dynamics. Jesus moves from healing an afflicted man to healing a common disease of the heart: ambition. Verses 8–10 give practical instruction drawn from a wedding feast scenario, while verse 11 states a universal principle of the kingdom. This teaching prepares for His words to the host about whom to invite (12–14), extending the humility theme into generosity. The combined lessons challenge a culture of reciprocity and reputation, making room for the coming parable about God’s inclusive banquet.

v.6And they could not answer again unto these things.

v.7This passage

v.8When thou art bidden of any man to a marriage feast, sit not down in the chief seat; lest haply a more honorable man than thou be bidden of him,

Cross references

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

  • Luke 20:46

    Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk in long robes, and love salutations in the marketplaces, and chief seats in the synagogues, and chief places at feasts;

  • 3 John 1:9

    I wrote somewhat unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

  • Mark 12:38

    And in his teaching he said, Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk in long robes, andto have salutations in the marketplaces,

  • Luke 11:43

    Woe unto you Pharisees! for ye love the chief seats in the synagogues, and the salutations in the marketplaces.

  • Ezekiel 17:2

    Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel;

  • Philippians 2:3

    doing nothing through faction or through vainglory, but in lowliness of mind each counting other better than himself;

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