Luke 14:14
And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
And {G2532} thou shalt be {G2071} blessed {G3107}; for {G3754} they cannot {G3756}{G2192} recompense {G467} thee {G4671}: for {G1063} thou {G4671} shalt be recompensed {G467} at {G1722} the resurrection {G386} of the just {G1342}.
How blessed you will be that they have nothing with which to repay you! For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
and you will be blessed. Since they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
and thou shalt be blessed; because they have not wherewith to recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed in the resurrection of the just.
Cross-References
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Proverbs 19:17 (14 votes)
¶ He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. -
Acts 24:15 (10 votes)
And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. -
John 5:29 (9 votes)
And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. -
Matthew 25:34 (8 votes)
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: -
Matthew 25:40 (8 votes)
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me. -
Matthew 6:4 (8 votes)
That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. -
Daniel 12:2 (6 votes)
And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame [and] everlasting contempt.
Commentary
Luke 14:14 (KJV)
This verse is part of Jesus' instruction on humility and hospitality, given during a meal at the house of a prominent Pharisee (Luke 14:1-14). Jesus challenges the conventional social customs of inviting only those who can repay the favor.
The core message is that true blessing comes from God, not from human reciprocity. Jesus advises inviting the poor, the disabled, and the marginalized to feasts, precisely because they cannot repay you. This action, devoid of self-interest and expectation of earthly return, is seen and valued by God.
The promise is that the reward ("recompensed" / ἀνταποδίδωμι - *antapodidomi*, meaning 'to pay back' or 'give in return') for such selfless acts will be given at the "resurrection of the just." This points to a future divine judgment and reward for believers, emphasizing that God is the ultimate rewarder, and His rewards are far greater and more enduring than any earthly repayment.
Key Themes:
Practical Application: This verse challenges believers to examine their motives for good deeds. Are we serving others expecting something in return (thanks, recognition, a returned favor), or are we serving out of love and obedience to God, trusting Him for the ultimate reward? It encourages us to reach out to those who are often overlooked or marginalized, knowing that God sees and will honor such actions.
Cross-reference: Compare with the concept of heavenly reward in Matthew 6:4, where Jesus speaks of the Father who sees in secret and will reward openly.
Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.