Luke 14:21

So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.

So {G2532} that {G1565} servant {G1401} came {G3854}, and shewed {G518} his {G846} lord {G2962} these things {G5023}. Then {G5119} the master of the house {G3617} being angry {G3710} said {G2036} to his {G846} servant {G1401}, Go out {G1831} quickly {G5030} into {G1519} the streets {G4113} and {G2532} lanes {G4505} of the city {G4172}, and {G2532} bring in {G1521} hither {G5602} the poor {G4434}, and {G2532} the maimed {G376}, and {G2532} the halt {G5560}, and {G2532} the blind {G5185}.

The slave came and reported these things to his master.

“Then the owner of the house, in a rage, told his slave, ‘Quick, go out into the streets and alleys of the city; and bring in the poor, the disfigured, the blind and the crippled!’

The servant returned and reported all this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the city, and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’

And the servant came, and told his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor and maimed and blind and lame.

Luke 14:21 (KJV) is a pivotal verse in the Parable of the Great Supper, illustrating the consequences of rejecting God's invitation and the expansive nature of His grace.

Context

This verse follows the master's initial invitation to a grand feast, which was met with various excuses from the invited guests (Luke 14:18-20). The servant reports these rejections to his lord. The "master of the house" represents God, and the initial guests symbolize those who, due to their self-sufficiency or worldly priorities, decline the spiritual banquet of the Kingdom of God. The master's anger is not petty but reflects divine displeasure at the refusal of His gracious offer.

Key Themes

  • Divine Rejection of the Self-Righteous: The master's anger underscores the gravity of spurning God's generous invitation. Those who consider themselves worthy or too busy for the Kingdom will find themselves excluded.
  • God's Inclusive Invitation: The command to "Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city" signifies a radical shift. The invitation is extended beyond the elite or privileged to the marginalized and overlooked.
  • Embrace of the Outcasts: The specific groups mentioned—"the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind"—represent those society often neglects or despises. Jesus consistently ministered to such individuals, highlighting God's special care for the humble and needy. This foreshadows the gospel's reach to all who recognize their spiritual need.

Linguistic Insights

The terms used to describe the invited guests are significant:

  • "Maimed" (Greek: anaperos - ἀνάπηρος): Refers to someone crippled or disabled, perhaps from birth or an accident.
  • "Halt" (Greek: cholos - χωλός): Means lame or limping.
  • These terms emphasize physical infirmities, which in that cultural context, often led to social exclusion and poverty. By inviting these, the master shows a preference for those without worldly standing or ability to repay.

Practical Application

Luke 14:21 encourages believers to understand the breadth of God's grace. It reminds us that the invitation to God's Kingdom is open to all, especially those who may feel unworthy, overlooked, or spiritually "poor." It challenges us to:

  • Examine Our Priorities: Are we making excuses for not fully engaging with God's call, prioritizing worldly concerns over spiritual ones?
  • Embrace Humility: The parable suggests that true acceptance comes from recognizing our need for God, not from our perceived status or achievements.
  • Extend God's Invitation: Just as the servant was commanded to go into the "streets and lanes," we are called to share the gospel with all people, particularly reaching out to those on the fringes of society, demonstrating the inclusive love of Christ. The Great Commission reflects this expansive mandate.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Luke 14:13

    But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:

  • Matthew 11:5

    The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

  • James 2:5

    Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

  • Luke 14:24

    For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.

  • Isaiah 35:6

    Then shall the lame [man] leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.

  • John 9:39

    ¶ And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.

  • Matthew 22:7

    But when the king heard [thereof], he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.

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