King James Version

What Does Luke 14:21 Mean?

Luke 14:21 in the King James Version says “So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go... — study this verse from Luke chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.

Luke 14:21 · KJV


Context

19

And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.

20

And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.

21

So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.

22

And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.

23

And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. The servant's report prompts the master's orgistheis (ὀργισθείς, "being angry")—righteous indignation at the insult to his generosity. This divine anger reflects God's response to those who spurn His grace. The command exelthe tacheōs (ἔξελθε ταχέως, "go out quickly") shows urgency—the banquet will proceed; only the guests will change.

The fourfold description targets society's marginalized: ptōchous (πτωχούς, "poor")—the destitute beggars; anapeirous (ἀναπείρους, "maimed")—those with missing or crippled limbs; chōlous (χωλούς, "lame/halt")—unable to walk properly; tuphlous (τυφλούς, "blind")—without sight. These categories precisely match those excluded from temple service (Leviticus 21:17-23) and often from community life, yet Jesus earlier blessed such as these (Luke 14:13-14).

This reveals God's sovereignty in salvation—when the privileged reject His invitation, He extends grace to the undeserving. The gospel goes to tax collectors, sinners, Gentiles, and outcasts. The master's anger vindicates divine justice while His invitation to the despised demonstrates sovereign mercy. None can claim God is obligated to them; all grace is unmerited.

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Historical & Cultural Context

In first-century society, the categories Jesus lists represented those living on society's margins. The poor (ptōchoi) were destitute beggars, not merely lower class. The maimed, lame, and blind often survived through begging at city gates or temple entrances (Acts 3:2). Jewish purity laws and social custom excluded many disabled individuals from full participation in religious and community life, though this was a corruption of Mosaic intent.

The command to bring them from "streets and lanes" (plateias kai rhumas, πλατείας καὶ ῥύμας) encompasses both main thoroughfares and narrow alleys—the entire urban geography where outcasts gathered. This parable would shock Jesus' Pharisaic audience, who viewed physical disability as evidence of sin (John 9:2) and avoided contact with such people to maintain ritual purity. Jesus inverts the honor/shame hierarchy of His culture.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's invitation to the marginalized challenge your assumptions about who deserves His grace?
  2. What does the master's anger at rejection teach about the seriousness of spurning God's gracious invitation?
  3. In what ways does the church still exclude the 'poor, maimed, halt, and blind' from full participation in gospel community?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 38 words
καὶ1 of 38

So

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

παραγενόμενος2 of 38

came

G3854

to become near, i.e., approach (have arrived); by implication, to appear publicly

3 of 38
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δούλῳ4 of 38

servant

G1401

a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)

ἐκεῖνος5 of 38

that

G1565

that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed

ἀπήγγειλεν6 of 38

and shewed

G518

to announce

τῷ7 of 38
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κυρίῳ8 of 38

lord

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

αὐτοῦ9 of 38
G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ταῦτα10 of 38

these things

G5023

these things

τότε11 of 38

Then

G5119

the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)

ὀργισθεὶς12 of 38

being angry

G3710

to provoke or enrage, i.e., (passively) become exasperated

13 of 38
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

οἰκοδεσπότης14 of 38

the master of the house

G3617

the head of a family

εἶπεν15 of 38

said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

τῷ16 of 38
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δούλῳ17 of 38

servant

G1401

a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)

αὐτοῦ18 of 38
G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Ἔξελθε19 of 38

Go out

G1831

to issue (literally or figuratively)

ταχέως20 of 38

quickly

G5030

briefly, i.e., (in time) speedily, or (in manner) rapidly

εἰς21 of 38

into

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὰς22 of 38
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πλατείας23 of 38

the streets

G4113

a wide "plat" or "place", i.e., open square

καὶ24 of 38

So

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ῥύμας25 of 38

lanes

G4505

an alley or avenue (as crowded)

τῆς26 of 38
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πόλεως27 of 38

of the city

G4172

a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)

καὶ28 of 38

So

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τοὺς29 of 38
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πτωχοὺς30 of 38

the poor

G4434

akin to g4422 and the alternate of g4098); a beggar (as cringing), i.e., pauper (strictly denoting absolute or public mendicancy, although also used i

καὶ31 of 38

So

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀναπήρους32 of 38

the maimed

G376

crippled

καὶ33 of 38

So

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

χωλοὺς34 of 38

the halt

G5560

"halt", i.e., limping

καὶ35 of 38

So

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τυφλοὺς36 of 38

the blind

G5185

opaque (as if smoky), i.e., (by analogy) blind (physically or mentally)

εἰσάγαγε37 of 38

bring in

G1521

to introduce (literally or figuratively)

ὧδε38 of 38

hither

G5602

in this same spot, i.e., here or hither


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 14:21 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 14:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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