Luke 14:25

¶ And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,

And {G1161} there went {G4848} great {G4183} multitudes {G3793} with him {G846}: and {G2532} he turned {G4762}, and said {G2036} unto {G4314} them {G846},

Large crowds were traveling along with Yeshua. Turning, he said to them,

Large crowds were now traveling with Jesus, and He turned and said to them,

Now there went with him great multitudes: and he turned, and said unto them,

Luke 14:25 (KJV) serves as a pivotal transitional verse, setting the stage for some of Jesus' most challenging teachings on the nature of true discipleship. It highlights the dynamic between the large crowds drawn to Jesus and the profound demands He was about to lay upon those who would truly follow Him.

Context

At this point in Luke's Gospel, Jesus has been teaching extensively, performing miracles, and engaging with various segments of society, including Pharisees and common people. Immediately preceding this verse, Jesus concludes the Parable of the Great Supper (Luke 14:16-24), which illustrates the rejection of God's invitation by those preoccupied with worldly concerns. The verse itself then describes "great multitudes" accompanying Him. This phrase emphasizes the sheer number of people following Jesus, many of whom were likely attracted by His miracles, teachings, or the promise of a messianic kingdom, perhaps without fully grasping the personal cost involved. Jesus' act of "turning" signifies a deliberate shift in focus, from general teaching or parables to a direct, challenging confrontation with the expectations and commitment levels of His followers. The subsequent verses (Luke 14:26-33) reveal the radical demands of discipleship, emphasizing supreme devotion, self-denial, and counting the cost.

Key Themes

  • Crowds vs. Discipleship: This verse sharply distinguishes between casual followers (the "great multitudes") and genuine disciples. While many were drawn to Jesus, He sought to clarify that true allegiance required more than just physical presence or admiration.
  • The Call to Radical Commitment: By turning to address the crowd, Jesus prepares to unveil the stringent requirements of His kingdom, challenging them to move beyond superficial interest to a deep, transformative commitment. This sets up the critical teaching on taking up one's cross daily.
  • Jesus' Intentional Teaching: The phrase "he turned, and said unto them" underscores Jesus' deliberate intent to teach the crowd about the true nature of following Him. It was not a casual remark but a purposeful address designed to clarify expectations and sift genuine commitment from mere curiosity.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "great multitudes" translates the Greek ochloi megaloi (ὄχλοι μεγάλοι), which refers to large, often unorganized crowds. This term contrasts with mathetai (μαθηταί), meaning "disciples" or "learners," which implies a more committed group. Jesus often taught the ochlos but reserved His deepest truths and most challenging calls for those willing to become mathetai. The verb "turned" (Greek: strapheis, στραφείς) is an aorist participle, indicating a decisive, completed action. It suggests Jesus abruptly and intentionally shifted His posture and attention to deliver a crucial message.

Practical Application

Luke 14:25 serves as a timeless challenge for anyone claiming to follow Christ. It prompts self-reflection: Am I merely part of the "multitude" drawn to the benefits or comforts of Christianity, or am I a true disciple willing to embrace the radical demands of the Gospel? This verse reminds us that genuine faith requires more than superficial interest; it calls for a deep, personal commitment that often involves sacrifice and a reordering of priorities. It encourages us to examine our motives for following Jesus and to ensure our allegiance is unwavering, even when the path becomes difficult.

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.

  • John 6:24

    When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.

  • John 6:27

    Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

  • Luke 12:1

    ¶ In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

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