Luke 14:10

KJV

But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G235} when {G3752} thou art bidden {G2564}, go {G4198} and sit down {G377} in {G1519} the lowest {G2078} room {G5117}; that {G2443} when {G3752} he that bade {G2564} thee {G4571} cometh {G2064}, he may say {G2036} unto thee {G4671}, Friend {G5384}, go up {G4320} higher {G511}: then {G5119} shalt thou {G4671} have {G2071} worship {G1391} in the presence {G1799} of them that sit at meat {G4873} with thee {G4671}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Instead, when you are invited, go and sit in the least important place; so that when the one who invited you comes, he will say to you, ‘Go on up to a better seat.’ Then you will be honored in front of everyone sitting with you.

Berean Standard Bible

But when you are invited, go and sit in the last place, so that your host will come and tell you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in front of everyone at the table with you.

American Standard Version

But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest place; that when he that hath bidden thee cometh, he may say to thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have glory in the presence of all that sit at meat with thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 14:10 presents Jesus' profound teaching on humility, advising guests at a banquet to choose the lowest seat rather than the highest. This counter-intuitive counsel reveals that true honor and exaltation are not achieved through self-promotion or status-seeking, but are graciously bestowed by a discerning host upon those who humble themselves. The verse underscores a fundamental principle of the Kingdom of God, where a posture of lowliness leads to genuine and public recognition.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is part of a series of teachings and parables delivered by Jesus during a Sabbath meal at the house of a prominent Pharisee, as recorded in [Luke 14](/luke/14 "Luke 14 - Teachings at a Pharisee's House"). Jesus had been observing the guests vying for the most prominent seats at the table, a common practice in that culture that reflected social hierarchy and honor. His initial observation is noted in [Luke 14:7](/luke/14-7 "Luke 14:7 - Jesus Observes Guests Choosing Chief Seats"). Immediately following this verse, Jesus articulates the overarching principle in [Luke 14:11](/luke/14-11 "Luke 14:11 - The Principle of Humility and Exaltation"), stating, "For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." The broader context of [Luke 14](/luke/14 "Luke 14 - Teachings on Humility and Hospitality") also includes Jesus' teaching on inviting the poor, crippled, lame, and blind to banquets, further challenging the conventional social norms of the day.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Banquets and communal meals were significant social events in first-century Jewish society, serving not only for sustenance but also as crucial venues for displaying and reinforcing social status, honor, and hierarchy. Seating arrangements were highly symbolic, with the most honorable guests seated closest to the host or at the head of the table. To choose a higher seat than one's perceived status was considered a social faux pas and could lead to public humiliation if asked to move down. Conversely, being invited to move up was a public affirmation of honor. Jesus' teaching directly confronts this cultural preoccupation with status and public image, offering a radical alternative rooted in humility.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme is **humility versus self-exaltation**. Jesus advocates for a posture of lowliness, not as a manipulative tactic, but as a genuine disposition that trusts in the host's (God's) assessment of one's worth. This contrasts sharply with the world's pursuit of status and recognition. Another key theme is **divine perspective on honor**. The "worship" or honor received is not self-appointed but bestowed by the host, symbolizing that true honor comes from God, who "exalts the humble" as seen in [Luke 14:11](/luke/14-11 "Luke 14:11 - The Principle of Humility"). This teaching also touches upon **authenticity and integrity**, suggesting that genuine worth is recognized by God rather than being manufactured through human maneuvering. The parable also subtly introduces the theme of **Kingdom values**, where the norms of God's Kingdom often invert the values of the world, a concept frequently explored throughout Jesus' teachings, such as in the [Beatitudes](/matthew/5-3-12 "Matthew 5:3-12 - The Beatitudes").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **lowest (Greek, _éschatos'_):** (G2078) This word, meaning "farthest, final," or "uttermost," emphasizes the extreme end of a spectrum. In the context of seating, it literally refers to the least prominent, most humble position at the table. It signifies a deliberate choice to take a place of no perceived honor, contrary to social expectations.
* **worship (Greek, _dóxa'_):** (G1391) While _dóxa_ can refer to divine glory or adoration, in this specific context, it signifies "honor," "esteem," or "respect." It denotes the public recognition and affirmation of one's worth by others, particularly by the host. The KJV's "worship" here should be understood as the honor or dignity bestowed upon someone, not religious veneration.
* **presence (Greek, _enṓpion'_):** (G1799) Meaning "in the face of" or "in the sight of," this word highlights the public nature of the honor received. The exaltation is not private but occurs openly, before those who initially observed one's humble posture. This public affirmation serves as a powerful illustration of the principle at play.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room":** This clause provides the core instruction. It advises a guest, upon being invited to a feast, to intentionally choose the least prominent seating position. The phrase "lowest room" (Greek: _éschatos tópos_) refers to the least honorable place at the banquet table, not a separate physical room. This act is a deliberate demonstration of humility and a rejection of self-exaltation.
* **"that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher":** This part explains the desired outcome and the mechanism of true exaltation. The purpose (_hína_, "in order that") of taking the lowest seat is so that the host, upon observing the guest's humility, will personally invite them to a more honorable position. The address "Friend" (_phílos_) indicates a warm, respectful, and affirming gesture from the host.
* **"then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee":** This final clause describes the result of the host's invitation. The guest will receive "worship" (_dóxa_), meaning honor or esteem, and this recognition will occur publicly ("in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee"). The public nature of this exaltation serves as a powerful vindication of the humble posture and a testament to the host's discernment.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 14:10 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The primary device is **Parable**, as Jesus uses a relatable social scenario—a banquet and its seating customs—to illustrate a deeper spiritual truth about humility and honor in the Kingdom of God. This narrative form makes the teaching accessible and memorable. There is also a strong element of **Irony** at play: the path to true exaltation is found not by seeking it directly, but by embracing its opposite, humility. The one who lowers himself is the one who is ultimately raised. Furthermore, the "lowest room" and "higher" seat serve as **Symbolism**. They are not merely literal seating arrangements but represent spiritual positions of humility and honor before God. The host, who observes and then elevates, symbolizes God, who sees the heart and rewards genuine humility. The entire scenario functions as an **Allegory**, where the human host represents God, and the guests represent individuals seeking favor or status in God's eyes.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This teaching from Luke 14:10 profoundly impacts our understanding of God's economy of honor. It challenges the world's system, which often values self-promotion, ambition, and outward displays of status. Instead, Jesus reveals that true honor originates from God and is bestowed upon those who willingly humble themselves. This is not a strategic maneuver to gain recognition, but a genuine posture of lowliness and dependence on God's grace and discernment. It reflects the character of God, who consistently lifts up the humble and resists the proud, demonstrating that His ways are higher than human ways. The "worship" (honor) received is therefore a divine affirmation, a public acknowledgment of a heart rightly aligned with God's values.

* [Proverbs 25:6-7](/proverbs/25-6-7 "Proverbs 25:6-7 - Do Not Exalt Yourself")
* [James 4:10](/james/4-10 "James 4:10 - Humble Yourselves Before the Lord")
* [1 Peter 5:6](/1_peter/5-6 "1 Peter 5:6 - Humble Yourselves Under God's Mighty Hand")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 14:10 calls believers to a radical reorientation of their values, away from the world's pursuit of status and towards a humble posture before God and others. It encourages us to release our grip on self-importance, recognition, and the need to be seen as superior. Instead, we are invited to find our security and worth not in human accolades or positions, but in the quiet confidence that God sees our hearts. This principle applies to all areas of life: our careers, relationships, church involvement, and even our online presence. When we prioritize serving others, seeking God's will, and genuinely valuing others above ourselves, we create space for God to work. True honor, when it comes, will be a gift from Him, not something we clawed our way to. This humility is not weakness but a profound strength, rooted in trust in God's sovereign hand.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to seek the "highest room" or strive for recognition?**
* **How might a posture of genuine humility change my interactions with others, both in public and private settings?**
* **What does it truly mean to trust God as the "host" who will ultimately determine my honor and position?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart that genuinely desires to serve and be last, rather than first?**

### FAQ

**Does "lowest room" refer to a literal room or a seating position?**

Answer: In the KJV, "lowest room" (Greek: _éschatos tópos_) refers to the least prominent or lowest seating position at a banquet table, not a separate physical room. Ancient banquets often used U-shaped tables where guests reclined, and the positions closest to the host or at the "head" of the table were considered the most honorable. The "lowest room" would be the furthest, least esteemed place. Jesus' teaching is about choosing the least honorable seat as an act of humility, trusting that the host will recognize and elevate you if appropriate, as described in [Luke 14:10](/luke/14-10 "Luke 14:10 - Choose the Lowest Seat").

**What does "worship" mean in this context, if not divine adoration?**

Answer: The word "worship" in "then shalt thou have worship" comes from the Greek word _dóxa_ (G1391). While _dóxa_ can indeed refer to divine glory or adoration (as in "giving glory to God"), in this specific social context, it means "honor," "esteem," "dignity," or "respect." It signifies the public recognition and affirmation of one's worth by others, particularly by the host of the banquet. So, the verse means you will receive honor or esteem in the presence of the other guests, a public affirmation of your humble character, as opposed to the humiliation of being asked to move down, as noted in [Luke 14:9](/luke/14-9 "Luke 14:9 - The Danger of Presumption").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 14:10 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ Himself. While this teaching instructs us in the path of humility, Jesus perfectly embodied this principle, not merely as a social strategy, but as the very essence of His divine mission. Though He was "in the form of God," Christ "did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men" as beautifully articulated in [Philippians 2:6-7](/philippians/2-6-7 "Philippians 2:6-7 - Christ's Humiliation"). He willingly chose the "lowest room" of human existence, entering a fallen world, not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many, as He declares in [Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve"). His ultimate act of humility was His submission to death on a cross, the most ignominious "lowest place" imaginable. Yet, because of His profound humility and obedience, God "highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name," ensuring that "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow," as the passage in [Philippians 2:9-10](/philippians/2-9-10 "Philippians 2:9-10 - Christ's Exaltation") concludes. Thus, Jesus is the divine Host who chose the lowest place, and in doing so, was supremely honored and glorified, becoming the perfect example and the means by which all who humble themselves before Him can find true and lasting exaltation.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Proverbs 25:6

¶ Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great [men]:

Proverbs 25:7

For better [it is] that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.

Proverbs 15:33

¶ The fear of the LORD [is] the instruction of wisdom; and before honour [is] humility.

1 Samuel 15:17

And Samuel said, When thou [wast] little in thine own sight, [wast] thou not [made] the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?

Isaiah 60:14

The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

Revelation 3:9

Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.