Luke 14:24

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

For {G1063} I say {G3004} unto you {G5213}, That {G3754} none {G3762} of those {G1565} men {G435} which {G3588} were bidden {G2564} shall taste {G1089} of my {G3450} supper {G1173}.

I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet!’”

For I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will taste my banquet.’”

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

Commentary

Context of Luke 14:24

Luke 14:24 concludes the Parable of the Great Supper (also known as the Great Banquet), which Jesus tells during a Sabbath meal at the home of a prominent Pharisee. The parable is prompted by a guest's declaration, "Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God" (Luke 14:15). In the parable, a host prepares a magnificent feast and sends out invitations. However, when the supper is ready, the invited guests make various excuses for not attending. Angered by their refusal, the host then sends his servants to invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind from the city streets, and finally, to compel others from the highways and hedges to come in, ensuring his house is full. This verse, Luke 14:24, is the host's emphatic declaration regarding the original, ungrateful invitees.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Rejection of Divine Invitation: The core message is the consequence of refusing God's gracious invitation to salvation and fellowship. The "men which were bidden" represent those who, despite being initially called or having privileged access to God's truth (such as the Jewish leaders of Jesus' day), prioritize worldly concerns over spiritual ones.
  • Exclusion and Judgment: The phrase "shall taste of my supper" signifies a definitive exclusion from the blessings and joy of the Messianic banquet, which symbolizes the Kingdom of God. This highlights the serious spiritual consequences of rejecting God's call.
  • God's Inclusive Grace: While not explicitly stated in this verse, it is the culmination of the parable's broader theme that God's grace extends to the marginalized and unexpected, who readily accept what the privileged reject. This is a powerful testament to God's desire for all to come to Him.
  • Urgency of Response: The parable indirectly emphasizes the importance of a timely and earnest response to God's invitation. Excuses, no matter how seemingly reasonable, are unacceptable when the King calls.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "supper" is deipnon (δεῖπνον), which refers to the main meal of the day, often a festive occasion. In this parabolic context, it clearly alludes to the great feast of the kingdom, often called the Messianic banquet. The term "bidden" (κεκλημένοι - keklēmenoi) emphasizes that these individuals were specifically invited, highlighting their deliberate refusal despite a prior call.

Practical Application

Luke 14:24 serves as a solemn warning and a profound reminder for all believers. It calls us to:

  • Examine Our Priorities: What "excuses" might we be making that prevent us from fully embracing God's will or participating in His kingdom? Are we prioritizing worldly possessions, careers, or pleasures over spiritual commitment and service?
  • Respond to God's Call: The verse underscores the importance of not delaying our response to God's invitation. The opportunity to "taste of His supper" is not indefinite.
  • Appreciate God's Grace: For those who have accepted the invitation, it deepens appreciation for God's boundless grace that extended to us, often when others deemed themselves too busy or important. Just as the host sought out the unexpected guests, God welcomes all who humble themselves and accept His offer.
  • Beware of Spiritual Complacency: Those who presume upon their position or prior invitation (like the original guests) risk exclusion. True faith requires active, ongoing participation and a humble heart ready to receive. This aligns with warnings against rejecting Jesus' initial call.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 21:43 (10 votes)

    Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

  • Acts 13:46 (7 votes)

    Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

  • John 3:36 (5 votes)

    He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

  • Matthew 22:8 (5 votes)

    Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.

  • John 8:24 (4 votes)

    I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am [he], ye shall die in your sins.

  • Hebrews 12:25 (4 votes)

    See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more [shall not] we [escape], if we turn away from him that [speaketh] from heaven:

  • Hebrews 12:26 (4 votes)

    Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.