Luke 14:12

KJV

Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor [thy] rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G1161} said he {G3004} also {G2532} to him that bade {G2564} him {G846}, When {G3752} thou makest {G4160} a dinner {G712} or {G2228} a supper {G1173}, call {G5455} not {G3361} thy {G4675} friends {G5384}, nor {G3366} thy {G4675} brethren {G80}, neither {G3366} thy {G4675} kinsmen {G4773}, nor {G3366} thy rich {G4145} neighbours {G1069}; lest {G3379} they {G846} also {G2532} bid {G479} thee {G4571} again {G479}, and {G2532} a recompence {G468} be made {G1096} thee {G4671}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua also said to the one who had invited him, “When you give a lunch or a dinner, don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives or rich neighbors; for they may well invite you in return, and that will be your repayment.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Jesus said to the man who had invited Him, “When you host a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or brothers or relatives or rich neighbors. Otherwise, they may invite you in return, and you will be repaid.

American Standard Version

And he said to him also that had bidden him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, nor thy kinsmen, nor rich neighbors; lest haply they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Luke 14:12, Jesus issues a radical instruction to a dinner host, challenging the prevailing social customs of His era regarding hospitality. He advises against inviting friends, family, or wealthy neighbors who can reciprocate, instead advocating for a selfless form of generosity that seeks no earthly return. This teaching underscores a fundamental principle of the Kingdom of God, where actions are motivated by pure love and a desire for divine, rather than human, commendation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a broader narrative in [Luke 14](/luke/14 "Luke 14 - Teachings on Humility and Hospitality") where Jesus is attending a Sabbath meal at the house of a prominent Pharisee. Prior to this specific instruction to the host, Jesus observes the guests vying for places of honor and delivers a parable on humility, urging them to take the lowest seat so they might be honored by their host ([Luke 14:7-11](/luke/14-7-11 "Luke 14:7-11 - Parable of the Wedding Feast")). Having addressed the guests, Jesus then turns His attention to the host, extending His teaching on humility and true honor from the guests' perspective to the host's actions, thereby completing a comprehensive lesson on Kingdom values in social interactions. The verses immediately following [Luke 14:12](/luke/14-12 "Luke 14:12 - Jesus' Teaching on Hospitality") further elaborate on whom the host *should* invite—the poor, crippled, lame, and blind—promising a blessing at the "resurrection of the just" ([Luke 14:13-14](/luke/14-13-14 "Luke 14:13-14 - The Blessing of Inviting the Needy")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Jewish and Greco-Roman societies, meals were not merely for sustenance but served as crucial social and political events. Invitations to dinners or suppers were often strategic, designed to foster alliances, repay debts, gain influence, or solidify social standing. People typically invited those of equal or higher status, or those who could offer a reciprocal invitation, thus maintaining a system of mutual obligation and social exchange. To invite friends, family, or wealthy neighbors was to participate in this established system of reciprocity, ensuring one's social network and status. Jesus' instruction directly challenges this ingrained cultural norm, advocating for a counter-cultural approach to hospitality that subverts the transactional nature of social gatherings and redefines generosity.

* **Key Themes:** [Luke 14:12](/luke/14-12 "Luke 14:12 - Jesus' Radical Hospitality") contributes significantly to several key themes prevalent in Luke's Gospel. One prominent theme is **radical discipleship**, characterized by a call to prioritize God's Kingdom values over societal norms and personal gain. Jesus consistently challenges His followers to live a life that looks different from the world's, often involving self-denial and a focus on the marginalized, as seen in His teachings on [counting the cost](/luke/14-25-33 "Luke 14:25-33 - The Cost of Discipleship"). Another central theme is **God's concern for the poor and marginalized**. Throughout Luke, Jesus demonstrates a particular compassion for the outcast and vulnerable, and His teaching here encourages His followers to extend similar care, reflecting the heart of God. This verse also highlights the theme of **heavenly reward versus earthly reward**. Jesus frequently contrasts the fleeting nature of worldly recognition with the eternal value of divine commendation, a concept echoed in the [Sermon on the Mount](/matthew/6-19-21 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Storing Up Treasures in Heaven") where He encourages storing up treasures in heaven.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **dinner (Greek, _áriston'_):** Refers to the main meal, often eaten midday, but could also be a substantial morning meal or luncheon. In this context, it signifies a significant social gathering rather than a casual bite. Jesus' instruction applies to any substantial meal where guests are formally invited.
* **supper (Greek, _deîpnon'_):** The chief meal of the day, typically eaten in the evening. This word reinforces the idea of a formal, significant gathering, often involving a feast. The inclusion of both "dinner" and "supper" emphasizes that Jesus' teaching applies broadly to all forms of formal hospitality.
* **neighbours (Greek, _geítōn'_):** Literally means "one dwelling near," but by implication, a friend or associate. The term here refers to those within one's immediate social and geographical sphere, particularly those who are "rich" (G4145, _ploúsios_), implying those who are capable of reciprocating the invitation and thus part of the reciprocal social system Jesus is challenging.
* **recompence (Greek, _antapódoma'_):** A requital, repayment, or reward in return. This word is central to Jesus' point, highlighting the transactional nature of the hospitality He advises against. The expectation of _antapódoma_ is precisely what Jesus seeks to redirect, shifting the motive for generosity from earthly reciprocity to divine blessing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then said he also to him that bade him,"**: This establishes the direct address from Jesus to the host of the Sabbath dinner, indicating a specific, personal instruction following His general teaching to the guests. It highlights Jesus' intentional engagement with the social dynamics of the gathering.
* **"When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor [thy] rich neighbours;"**: This is the core of Jesus' counter-cultural command. He explicitly lists categories of people typically invited for social gain or obligation: close associates (friends), family (brethren, kinsmen), and those of means (rich neighbors). The negative imperative "call not" (G3361, _mḗ_) signifies a strong prohibition against the customary practice driven by self-interest.
* **"lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee."**: This clause reveals the underlying motivation for Jesus' prohibition. The phrase "lest they also bid thee again" points to the expectation of reciprocal invitation, and "a recompence be made thee" (G468, _antapódoma_) clearly identifies the worldly reward—a return on one's investment in hospitality. Jesus identifies this transactional motive as precisely what detracts from true, selfless generosity and divine reward.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 14:12 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Didacticism**, as Jesus directly instructs the host on proper conduct, presenting a clear moral and theological lesson. The verse also showcases **Contrast**, setting up a stark opposition between two forms of hospitality: one driven by the expectation of earthly reciprocity (inviting friends, family, rich neighbors) and the other (implied by the negative command, and made explicit in the following verses) motivated by selfless love for those who cannot repay. This creates a **Paradox**, as Jesus suggests that true gain comes from actions that yield no immediate worldly benefit. Furthermore, the explicit statement of the motive ("lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee") serves as a form of **Exposition**, revealing the hidden, often unacknowledged, self-serving motivations behind conventional social practices.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly reshapes our understanding of generosity and reward within the Kingdom of God. It challenges the human tendency to act out of self-interest or a desire for social validation, redirecting our focus to God as the ultimate source of blessing and recompense. True generosity, according to Jesus, is not transactional but transformational, flowing from a heart aligned with God's own character of unconditional love and grace. When we give without expectation of earthly return, our acts become pure expressions of love, mirroring God's giving to us, and thus qualify us for a divine reward that far surpasses any human reciprocation. This principle elevates hospitality from a social custom to a spiritual discipline, inviting believers to participate in God's economy of grace.

* [Matthew 6:1-4](/matthew/6-1-4 "Matthew 6:1-4 - Giving to the Needy in Secret")
* [Proverbs 19:17](/proverbs/19-17 "Proverbs 19:17 - Lending to the Lord")
* [Hebrews 13:2](/hebrews/13-2 "Hebrews 13:2 - Showing Hospitality to Strangers")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 14:12 serves as a powerful mirror, inviting us to critically examine the motives behind our acts of generosity, service, and hospitality. Do we extend invitations, offer help, or give resources primarily to those who can benefit us in return, whether through social status, professional networking, or future favors? Or are our actions motivated by a genuine, selfless love that seeks the good of others, especially those who are often overlooked or unable to reciprocate? This verse calls us to move beyond a transactional mindset to a transformational one, where our giving is an outflow of God's love within us, trusting that our ultimate reward comes from Him, not from human praise or earthly recompense. It challenges us to intentionally seek out opportunities to serve those on the margins, those who cannot "pay us back," thereby reflecting the heart of Christ and storing up eternal treasures.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are my primary motivations when I offer hospitality or engage in acts of service? Am I seeking social recognition, personal gain, or genuine selfless love?**
* **Who are the "rich neighbors" in my life—those I tend to serve or connect with because they can reciprocate? How can I intentionally expand my circle to include those who cannot offer anything in return?**
* **How does the promise of "recompense at the resurrection of the just" (Luke 14:14) motivate or challenge my current understanding of generosity?**
* **In what practical ways can I extend hospitality to the marginalized or overlooked in my community, without expecting anything in return?**

### FAQ

**Does Jesus forbid inviting friends or family to dinner?**

Answer: No, Jesus is not issuing a blanket prohibition against inviting friends, family, or wealthy neighbors to dinner. Rather, He is challenging the *motive* behind such invitations. The cultural norm was to invite those who could reciprocate, thereby maintaining social standing or gaining advantage. Jesus is calling His followers to a higher standard of selfless generosity, where hospitality is extended not for earthly return but out of pure love, especially to those who cannot repay. The emphasis is on prioritizing the poor and marginalized, as elaborated in [Luke 14:13-14](/luke/14-13-14 "Luke 14:13-14 - The Blessing of Inviting the Needy"), not on excluding existing relationships.

**What does Jesus mean by "recompense be made thee"?**

Answer: The phrase "recompense be made thee" refers to an earthly, reciprocal reward or repayment. In the social context of Jesus' day, inviting someone to a meal often created an unspoken obligation for them to invite you back, or to somehow return the favor. Jesus is highlighting this transactional system of give-and-take. He is essentially saying, "Don't invite people primarily because you expect them to repay you in kind." He contrasts this earthly recompense with a divine blessing or reward that comes from God for selfless acts of generosity, as mentioned in [Luke 14:14](/luke/14-14 "Luke 14:14 - Blessed for Inviting the Poor").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 14:12 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the very person and work of Jesus Himself. Jesus perfectly embodies the radical, selfless hospitality He commands. He did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")). His entire ministry was an invitation to those who could not repay Him: the sick, the outcast, the tax collectors, and sinners ([Matthew 9:10-13](/matthew/9-10-13 "Matthew 9:10-13 - Jesus Eats with Sinners")). He extended the ultimate invitation to the "poor, crippled, lame, and blind" of humanity—those spiritually bankrupt and unable to earn their way into God's Kingdom—to partake in the [feast of salvation](/luke/14-15-24 "Luke 14:15-24 - The Parable of the Great Banquet") through His atoning sacrifice. The "recompense" for His selfless act on the cross was not earthly gain, but the glory of God and the redemption of humanity, a reward given by the Father ([Philippians 2:5-11](/philipians/2-5-11 "Philippians 2:5-11 - Christ's Humility and Exaltation")). Thus, Jesus is not merely a teacher of selfless hospitality, but its ultimate practitioner and the means by which we, empowered by His Spirit, can live out this counter-cultural call, knowing that our true reward is found in Him and His eternal Kingdom ([Colossians 3:23-24](/colossians/3-23-24 "Colossians 3:23-24 - Working for the Lord")).

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

Matthew 5:46

For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

James 2:1

¶ My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, [the Lord] of glory, with respect of persons.

James 2:6

But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?

Luke 6:32

For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.

Luke 6:36

Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

Proverbs 22:16

¶ He that oppresseth the poor to increase his [riches, and] he that giveth to the rich, [shall] surely [come] to want.

Proverbs 14:20

¶ The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich [hath] many friends.