Luke 14:18

With one consent. It almost appears that the invited guests had conspired together to insult their gracious host. There were, of course, more than three men invited to the feast (see verse 16). Apparently the three excuses Jesus enumerates are given as examples of what the servant heard wherever he went. For a similar sampling of cases where more than three persons were involved see chapter 19:16-21.

Began. Each prospective guest contrived his own pretext, for none of them had an acceptable reason. The real reason in each case was, of course, that the invited guest found himself more interested in something else, something he would have to lay aside temporarily if he were to attend the feast. The excuses implied, also, a lack of appreciation for the hospitality and friendship of the man who gave the feast. Those who declined the invitation to the gospel feast placed more value on temporal interests than on eternal things (see Matthew 6:33).

In Oriental lands, to decline an invitation — except where it is obviously impossible to accept — is often considered a refusal of friendship. Among some Arabs, to decline an invitation at the time of the reminder (see on verse 17), after having accepted the original invitation, is considered a declaration of hostility. On the other hand, to accept an invitation and to attend a feast is supposed to indicate friendship.

Bought a piece of ground. Even accepted at face value, the excuse was flimsy — the purchase had already been made. Without doubt the purchaser had examined the ground carefully before closing the deal.