Luke 14:8

KJV

When thou art bidden of any [man] to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;

KJV (with Strong's)

When {G3752} thou art bidden {G2564} of {G5259} any {G5100} man to {G1519} a wedding {G1062}, sit {G2625} not {G3361} down {G2625} in {G1519} the highest room {G4411}; lest {G3379} a more honourable man {G1784} than thou {G4675} be {G5600} bidden {G2564} of {G5259} him {G846};

Complete Jewish Bible

“When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, don’t sit down in the best seat; because if there is someone more important than you who has been invited,

Berean Standard Bible

“When you are invited to a wedding banquet, do not sit in the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited.

American Standard Version

When thou art bidden of any man to a marriage feast, sit not down in the chief seat; lest haply a more honorable man than thou be bidden of him,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 14:8 presents Jesus' practical advice on social etiquette at a wedding feast, cautioning guests against presumptuously taking the most honorable seats. This seemingly simple instruction serves as a profound parable, illustrating the spiritual principle that true honor is not self-appointed but bestowed by a superior, thereby teaching the vital virtue of humility and the dangers of self-exaltation in both social and spiritual realms.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is part of a larger discourse on humility and hospitality delivered by Jesus at a Sabbath meal in the house of a prominent Pharisee. The immediate preceding verses (Luke 14:1-6) describe Jesus healing a man with dropsy on the Sabbath, which sets the stage for a challenge to religious legalism and a demonstration of divine compassion. Following the healing, Jesus observes the guests vying for the "highest rooms" or places of honor (Luke 14:7), prompting this teaching. The parable of the wedding feast (Luke 14:8-10) is directly followed by the overarching principle in [Luke 14:11](/luke/14-11 "Luke 14:11 - The Principle of Humility and Exaltation"): "For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." This is then expanded into a teaching on selfless hospitality in [Luke 14:12-14](/luke/14-12-14 "Luke 14:12-14 - The Call to Selfless Hospitality"), urging hosts to invite those who cannot repay them, thus demonstrating genuine, God-honoring generosity. The entire passage in [Luke 14](/luke/14 "Luke 14 - Teachings on Humility and Hospitality") serves as a critique of self-serving religious and social practices, advocating for a Kingdom ethic rooted in humility and sacrificial love.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Jewish society, like many ancient cultures, placed immense value on honor and shame. Public perception of one's status was paramount. Wedding feasts (or banquets in general) were highly significant social events, often lasting for days, where social hierarchies were visibly reinforced. Seating arrangements were not arbitrary; the "highest room" (KJV) or "places of honor" (NIV) referred to the most prominent seats, typically closest to the host or at the head of the table, signifying the guest's social standing, wealth, or influence. To be invited to such a seat was a mark of respect, while to presume it without invitation was a grave social misstep, leading to public humiliation if a more distinguished guest arrived and required that position. The custom of reclining at tables (implied by "sit down" from a word meaning "to recline") further emphasized the relaxed yet stratified nature of these gatherings. Jesus' audience would have immediately grasped the social dynamics and the potential for embarrassment inherent in such a scenario, making His illustration highly relatable and impactful.

* **Key Themes:** The primary theme is **Humility** versus **Pride**. Jesus uses the social setting to expose the human tendency towards self-exaltation and the pursuit of superficial honor. He teaches that true honor is not grasped but graciously given, and that a humble posture prevents shame while opening the door for genuine recognition. Another key theme is **Prudence and Wisdom**. Beyond mere social graces, Jesus' advice reflects practical foresight: it is wiser to take a lower place and be invited to move up than to assume a higher one and risk public demotion. This foresight avoids potential embarrassment and preserves one's dignity. Finally, the passage highlights the **Divine Principle of Exaltation**. As explicitly stated in [Luke 14:11](/luke/14-11 "Luke 14:11 - The Principle of Humility and Exaltation"), this earthly observation serves as a powerful illustration of a heavenly truth: God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble, and ultimately, those who humble themselves will be exalted by Him. This principle extends beyond social settings to one's spiritual standing before God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **wedding (Greek, _gámos'_):** This term refers to "nuptials" or a "marriage feast." Its use here highlights the specific social context of the teaching, emphasizing a celebratory gathering where social status and honor were particularly on display. The choice of a wedding feast as the setting makes the lesson on humility universally relatable, as such events are common across cultures and often involve careful social navigation.
* **highest room (Greek, _prōtoklisía'_):** Literally meaning "first reclining place" or "chief seat," this word denotes the place of preeminence or honor at a banquet table. It signifies the most esteemed position, typically closest to the host, and was eagerly sought after by those desiring to display their social importance. The KJV's "highest room" effectively conveys this sense of a privileged, elevated position.
* **honourable man (Greek, _éntimos'_):** This adjective means "valued," "esteemed," "precious," or "in reputation." It describes a person who holds recognized worth or status within the community, someone whose presence would naturally command a more prominent seat. The contrast between "thou" and "a more honourable man" underscores the potential for misjudgment of one's own standing relative to others.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding,"**: This opening clause sets the scene. Jesus addresses an individual directly ("thou"), making the advice personal and immediate. The context is a common social event, a wedding feast, which would be familiar to all His listeners. The phrase "bidden of any man" implies an invitation, establishing that one is a guest, not the host, and thus subject to the host's arrangements.
* **"sit not down in the highest room;"**: This is the direct command or counsel. The imperative "sit not down" (from _kataklínō_, meaning "to recline down" or "take a place at table") explicitly forbids presumptuous self-placement in the most prestigious seat. It is a call to restraint and self-awareness, urging one to avoid an act of prideful assertion that could lead to social awkwardness.
* **"lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;"**: This clause provides the rationale for the preceding command, highlighting the negative consequence of disobedience. The phrase "lest" (Greek, _mḗpote_) introduces a cautionary warning about a potential undesirable outcome. The scenario describes the arrival of a guest of higher social standing ("a more honourable man"), whose presence would necessitate the original guest being asked to move to a lower place, resulting in public shame and embarrassment.

#### Literary Devices
Jesus employs several **Literary Devices** to convey His message effectively. The entire passage functions as an **Illustrative Teaching** or **Parable**, using a relatable social scenario (a wedding feast and seating etiquette) to teach a deeper spiritual truth about humility and honor. There is a clear **Contrast** or **Antithesis** presented: the contrast between self-exaltation (taking the highest seat) and humility (taking a lower seat), and the resulting outcomes of shame versus honor. The **Irony** is palpable: the very act of seeking honor through self-assertion (taking the highest seat) paradoxically leads to public dishonor, while a humble posture (taking a lower seat) can lead to unexpected exaltation. This ironic reversal underscores the wisdom of humility. Furthermore, the use of **Direct Address** ("When thou art bidden...") makes the teaching personal and immediate, drawing the listener into the scenario and its implications.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 14:8, while seemingly a lesson in social graces, transcends mere etiquette to reveal a profound theological principle: the nature of true honor in God's economy. Unlike the world, which often values self-promotion and outward displays of status, God's kingdom operates on an inverse principle where humility is the pathway to genuine exaltation. This teaching challenges the human inclination towards pride and self-importance, reminding us that our worth and position are ultimately determined by God, not by our own efforts to gain recognition. It underscores the biblical truth that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble, emphasizing that a posture of lowliness before God and others is not weakness but a divine strength that opens the door to His favor and true spiritual elevation.

* [Proverbs 25:6-7](/proverbs/25-6-7 "Proverbs 25:6-7 - Wisdom in Choosing Your Place")
* [Matthew 23:12](/matthew/23-12 "Matthew 23:12 - Humility Leads to Exaltation")
* [James 4:6](/james/4-6 "James 4:6 - God Resists the Proud")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The timeless wisdom of Luke 14:8 extends far beyond ancient banquet halls, offering profound guidance for our lives today. In a world saturated with self-promotion, social media validation, and the relentless pursuit of status, Jesus' counsel calls us to a radical counter-cultural humility. This isn't about false modesty or self-deprecation, but a genuine assessment of ourselves in relation to God and others. It means choosing to serve rather than to be served, to listen more than to speak, and to elevate others above ourselves. In our relationships, it encourages us to prioritize the well-being and honor of others, fostering genuine respect and avoiding self-serving motives. In our workplaces and communities, it challenges us to perform our duties with diligence and integrity, trusting that true recognition will come, rather than striving for accolades. Spiritually, it reminds us that our standing before God is not earned by our accomplishments or outward displays of piety, but by His grace, received through a humble and contrite heart. By embracing humility, we align ourselves with God's design for honor, avoiding the pitfalls of pride and ensuring that our true worth is recognized by the One who truly matters.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to seek the "highest room" or strive for recognition and status?**
* **How might a posture of humility, as taught by Jesus, transform my relationships with others and my approach to service?**
* **What does it mean to "humble myself" before God, and how can I practically live this out in my daily walk?**
* **Can I identify a time when choosing humility, or conversely, pride, led to a specific outcome in my life? What did I learn?**

### FAQ

**What does "highest room" mean in this context, and why was it so important?**

Answer: The "highest room" (Greek, _prōtoklisía_) refers to the most prominent or chief seat at a banquet or feast. In ancient Jewish and Greco-Roman cultures, seating arrangements at social gatherings were highly hierarchical and deeply symbolic of a person's social status, honor, and influence. The seats closest to the host or at the head of the table were considered the most prestigious. To occupy such a seat was a public declaration of one's importance, while being assigned to a lower seat indicated lesser status. Therefore, presuming to take the highest room without being explicitly invited to it was a grave social faux pas, risking public embarrassment if a more distinguished guest arrived and required that position. This cultural emphasis on honor and shame makes Jesus' illustration particularly potent, as it speaks to a deeply ingrained social value.

**Is Jesus' teaching in Luke 14:8 just about good manners, or something more profound?**

Answer: While Jesus' advice certainly touches upon good manners and social etiquette, its primary purpose is to convey a far more profound spiritual truth. The social scenario serves as a **parable** or **illustrative teaching** for a fundamental principle of God's Kingdom. As Jesus explicitly states in [Luke 14:11](/luke/14-11 "Luke 14:11 - The Principle of Humility and Exaltation"), "For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." This verse transforms the social observation into a divine mandate for humility. It teaches that true honor and exaltation come not from self-promotion or human recognition, but from a humble posture before God and others, trusting that God Himself will elevate those who do not seek their own glory. It's a lesson about the heart's disposition and the nature of true greatness in God's eyes.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 14:8 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the supreme example of the very humility He teaches. While possessing all the rights and glory of God, Christ did not grasp at His divine status but "made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Self-Emptying Humility")). He willingly chose the lowest place, not only in His earthly life—born in a manger, associating with outcasts, and serving His disciples—but supremely in His death on the cross, enduring the ultimate humiliation for the sake of humanity's redemption. It was precisely because of this profound humility and obedience that "God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name" ([Philippians 2:9](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9 - Christ's Exaltation")). Thus, Jesus Himself embodies the principle: He humbled Himself, and God exalted Him. For believers, this means that true honor and entrance into the eternal "wedding feast" of the Lamb are not achieved by striving for status or merit, but by humbly accepting the invitation extended by the ultimate Host, Jesus Christ, who welcomes us not based on our worthiness, but on His immeasurable grace and self-sacrificial love. He is the one who invites us to the table, and in Him, the last are made first ([Matthew 20:26-28](/matthew/20-26-28 "Matthew 20:26-28 - Servant Leadership in the Kingdom")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Proverbs 25:6

¶ Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great [men]:

Proverbs 25:7

For better [it is] that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.