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Luke 14:28-32

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

28. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have [sufficient] to finish [it]? 29. Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish [it], all that behold [it] begin to mock him, 30. Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 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? 32. Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.

Luke 14:28-32 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Luke 14:28

Theological / Devotional

Which of you? The twin parables of verses 28-32 constitute a warning against lightly assuming the responsibilities of discipleship. Those guests who first accepted the invitation to the feast, only to change their minds when other interests arose, had not given the invitation serious thought when they first accepted it. The two following parables were especially applicable to such people.

A tower. A “tower” might be either a large and costly structure (cf. chapter 13:4) or a simple one made of branches (cf. Matthew 21:33). Here, it is obviously the former. Perhaps in the town where Jesus was at the moment teaching there had been an instance of such circumstances as those set forth in the parable.

Counteth the cost. There is no point in beginning something one cannot complete. Such a project absorbs time and energy without bringing any comparable rewards. The “cost” of discipleship is the complete and permanent renunciation of personal ambitions and of worldly interests. He who is not willing to go all the way may as well not even start.

By SdaBc