King James Version

What Does Luke 14:24 Mean?

Luke 14:24 in the King James Version says “For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.” — study this verse from Luke chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.”

Luke 14:24 · KJV

Context

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.

24

For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.

25

And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,

26

If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper. The master's solemn pronouncement legō gar humin (λέγω γὰρ ὑμῖν, "for I say to you") introduces divine judgment. The emphatic oudeis (οὐδείς, "none") allows no exceptions—total exclusion for those who refused. The phrase tōn andrōn ekeinōn tōn keklēmenōn (τῶν ἀνδρῶν ἐκεῖνων τῶν κεκλημένων, "those men who were invited") stresses their original privilege and increased accountability.

The verb geusetai (γεύσεται, "shall taste") intensifies the judgment—they will not even sample what they rejected. This echoes Israel's wilderness generation who refused to enter Canaan: "Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers" (Numbers 14:23). Privilege brings responsibility; rejection brings permanent exclusion. The shift from invitation to prohibition shows grace spurned becomes judgment sealed.

Jesus speaks this to Pharisees who presumed on their covenant status. Being 'called' (keklēmenōn, perfect passive participle) indicates past privilege, but refusing the final summons cancels all advantage. This parallels Romans 11:11-24—Israel's rejection created opportunity for Gentiles, but presumption leads to being cut off. The irreversibility of 'none shall taste' warns against the deadly illusion that God's patience equals indifference to rejection.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The shift to second person plural 'you' (humin) indicates Jesus stops narrating the parable and directly addresses His Pharisee hosts. This technique (breaking the fourth wall) appears throughout Jesus' parables to apply the story directly to hearers. The judgment pronounced mirrors the fate of wilderness Israel who refused to enter the promised land—an entire generation died in the desert, excluded from what they rejected (Hebrews 3:7-19).

In the context of Luke 14:1-24, this statement climaxes Jesus' confrontation with religious leaders over Sabbath healing, honor-seeking, and selective hospitality. The chapter begins with their hostile scrutiny (14:1) and ends with their exclusion from God's kingdom feast. First-century Jews believed the Messianic age would be celebrated with a great banquet; Jesus declares that the religiously privileged who reject Him will have no part in it.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the irreversibility of this judgment challenge the modern tendency to view God's grace as unconditional tolerance?
  2. What does exclusion from God's banquet reveal about the nature of divine invitation—simultaneously gracious and demanding?
  3. In what ways might religious privilege or familiarity with the gospel create presumption that leads to rejection of Christ's actual claims?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 14 words
λέγω1 of 14

“I say”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

γὰρ2 of 14

“For”

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

ὑμῖν3 of 14

“unto you”

G5213

to (with or by) you

ὅτι4 of 14

“That”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

οὐδεὶς5 of 14

“none”

G3762

not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing

τοῦ6 of 14

“which”

G3588

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

ἀνδρῶν7 of 14

“men”

G435

a man (properly as an individual male)

ἐκείνων8 of 14

“of those”

G1565

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

τοῦ9 of 14

“which”

G3588

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

κεκλημένων10 of 14

“were bidden”

G2564

to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)

γεύσεταί11 of 14

“shall taste”

G1089

to taste; by implication, to eat; figuratively, to experience (good or ill)

μου12 of 14

“of my”

G3450

of me

τοῦ13 of 14

“which”

G3588

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

δείπνου14 of 14

“supper”

G1173

dinner, i.e., the chief meal (usually in the evening)

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 14:24 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 14:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 21:43Acts 13:46John 3:36John 8:24Matthew 22:8Hebrews 12:25-26

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