Luke 14:31

Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?

Or {G2228} what {G5101} king {G935}, going {G4198} to make {G4820} war {G4171} against {G1519} another {G2087} king {G935}, sitteth {G2523} not {G3780} down {G2523} first {G4412}, and consulteth {G1011} whether {G1487} he be {G2076} able {G1415} with {G1722} ten {G1176} thousand {G5505} to meet {G528} him that cometh {G2064} against {G1909} him {G846} with {G3326} twenty {G1501} thousand {G5505}?

“Or again, suppose one king is going out to wage war with another king. Doesn’t he first sit down and consider whether he, with his ten thousand troops, has enough strength to meet the other one, who is coming against him with twenty thousand?

Or what king on his way to war with another king will not first sit down and consider whether he can engage with ten thousand men the one coming against him with twenty thousand?

Or what king, as he goeth to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and take counsel whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?

In Luke 14:31, Jesus presents another vivid illustration, following the parable of the tower builder, to underscore the profound importance of calculating the cost before embarking on a significant endeavor, specifically the call to discipleship. This verse is part of a larger discourse on what it truly means to follow Him.

Context

This verse is the second of two short parables or illustrations Jesus uses in Luke 14:25-35 to explain the demanding nature of true discipleship. He had just presented the scenario of a man building a tower (Luke 14:28-30) who fails to finish because he didn't first consider the cost. Here, Jesus shifts the imagery to a king contemplating war, facing a numerically superior adversary (ten thousand against twenty thousand). Both illustrations serve to highlight the necessity of foresight and commitment before committing to Him.

Key Themes

  • Counting the Cost of Discipleship: The primary message is that following Jesus is not a casual decision but requires serious, thoughtful consideration. Just as a king would assess his military strength against an enemy, so too must a potential disciple evaluate their readiness and commitment to surrender everything for Christ. This isn't about discouraging followers, but ensuring genuine, lasting commitment.
  • Strategic Wisdom and Foresight: Jesus emphasizes the wisdom of careful planning and assessing one's resources and potential challenges. The king in the illustration wisely "sitteth not down first, and consulteth" – a crucial act of prudence. This speaks to the need for spiritual foresight and understanding the journey ahead.
  • The Demands of the Kingdom: The overwhelming odds (10,000 against 20,000) highlight that commitment to God's kingdom often involves facing significant challenges and opposition. It implies that half-hearted commitment will lead to failure, just as a king with insufficient forces would face certain defeat. True discipleship requires total allegiance and readiness to face hardship, as Jesus often taught about taking up one's cross daily.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "sitteth not down first, and consulteth" (Greek: kathisas prōton bouleusetai) emphasizes a deliberate, premeditated act of counsel and planning. It's not a hasty decision but a thoughtful deliberation. The verb bouleusetai implies taking counsel or making a deliberate decision after careful thought, highlighting the serious nature of the choice Jesus is presenting to potential followers.

Practical Application

For believers today, Luke 14:31 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of wholehearted commitment in our spiritual walk. It challenges us to assess if we are truly prepared for the demands of following Christ, which may involve sacrifice, perseverance, and facing opposition. It encourages us to count the cost not just once, but continually reaffirm our dedication, knowing that true discipleship requires everything. This principle of careful assessment extends beyond spiritual matters to all significant life decisions, urging us to approach them with wisdom and foresight, much like the king preparing for battle or the builder planning his tower.

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.

  • Proverbs 20:18

    ¶ [Every] purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.

  • 2 Kings 18:20

    Thou sayest, (but [they are but] vain words,) [I have] counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?

  • 2 Kings 18:22

    But if ye say unto me, We trust in the LORD our God: [is] not that he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and hath said to Judah and Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem?

  • 1 Kings 20:11

    And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell [him], Let not him that girdeth on [his harness] boast himself as he that putteth it off.

  • Proverbs 25:8

    ¶ Go not forth hastily to strive, lest [thou know not] what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.

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