King James Version

What Does Luke 14:31 Mean?

Luke 14:31 in the King James Version says “Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten... — study this verse from Luke chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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?

Luke 14:31 · KJV


Context

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.

33

So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath , he cannot be my disciple.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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? This second parable intensifies the cost-counting theme through military analogy. The phrase tis basileus poreuomenos heterō basilei symbalein eis polemon (τίς βασιλεὺς πορευόμενος ἑτέρῳ βασιλεῖ συμβαλεῖν εἰς πόλεμον, "what king going to engage another king in war") introduces a scenario of national stakes, not merely personal shame. The verb kathisas (καθίσας, "having sat down") parallels v. 28—deliberate calculation before action.

The term bouleusetai (βουλεύσεται, "will deliberate/consult") indicates careful strategic planning. The question ei dunatos estin en deka chiliaisin hypantēsai (εἰ δυνατός ἐστιν ἐν δέκα χιλιάσιν ὑπαντῆσαι, "whether he is able with ten thousand to meet") poses a numerical disadvantage—facing eikosi chiliadas (εἴκοσι χιλιάδας, "twenty thousand"), a 2:1 deficit. Wisdom demands assessing whether to fight or negotiate.

Applied to discipleship, Christians face a powerful enemy—Satan, the world, and the flesh (Ephesians 6:12). The battle is real; the stakes are eternal. Yet Christ has already won the decisive victory (Colossians 2:15), and He provides resources for His soldiers (Ephesians 6:10-18). The question is whether we're willing to enter the warfare of discipleship, recognizing we're outmatched without divine aid but victorious through Christ. Counting the cost means recognizing discipleship is warfare, not leisure.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Warfare in the ancient world required careful calculation of resources, troop strength, and strategic advantage. Kings who miscalculated faced catastrophic defeat, loss of territory, slavery for their people, and often their own execution. Biblical examples abound: David's census brought judgment (2 Samuel 24); Amaziah's proud challenge to Israel brought disaster (2 Kings 14:8-14); Jewish rebellion against Rome (66-70 AD) ended in Jerusalem's destruction.

A 2:1 disadvantage was considered decisive unless the smaller force had superior position, training, or divine aid. Jesus' audience would recognize the dilemma: engage in unwinnable war or seek terms of peace (v. 32). Applied spiritually, humans are hopelessly outmatched against Satan apart from God. But those who enlist under Christ's banner serve in an army whose Commander has already defeated the enemy (Revelation 12:7-11). The cost-counting is not whether to abandon discipleship but whether to acknowledge its warfare nature and rely wholly on Christ's power.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding the Christian life as warfare change your approach to discipleship and spiritual disciplines?
  2. What does this parable teach about self-reliance versus dependence on Christ's strength in the battle against sin and Satan?
  3. In what ways have you underestimated the spiritual warfare involved in following Christ, treating discipleship as leisure rather than combat?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 27 words
1 of 27

Or

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

τίς2 of 27

what

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

βασιλεῖ3 of 27

king

G935

a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)

πορευόμενος4 of 27

going

G4198

to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)

συμβαλεῖν5 of 27

to make

G4820

to combine, i.e., (in speaking) to converse, consult, dispute, (mentally) to consider, (by implication) to aid, (personally) to join, attack

ἑτέρῳ6 of 27

another

G2087

(an-, the) other or different

βασιλεῖ7 of 27

king

G935

a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)

εἰς8 of 27

against

G1519

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

πόλεμον9 of 27

war

G4171

warfare (literally or figuratively; a single encounter or a series)

οὐχὶ10 of 27

not

G3780

not indeed

καθίσας11 of 27

down

G2523

to seat down, i.e., set (figuratively, appoint); intransitively, to sit (down); figuratively, to settle (hover, dwell)

πρῶτον12 of 27

first

G4412

firstly (in time, place, order, or importance)

βουλεύεται13 of 27

and consulteth

G1011

to advise, i.e., (reflexively) deliberate, or (by implication) resolve

εἰ14 of 27

whether

G1487

if, whether, that, etc

δυνατός15 of 27

able

G1415

powerful or capable (literally or figuratively); neuter possible

ἐστιν16 of 27

he be

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

ἐν17 of 27

with

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

δέκα18 of 27

ten

G1176

ten

χιλιάδων19 of 27

thousand

G5505

one thousand ("chiliad")

ἀπαντῆσαι20 of 27

to meet

G528

to meet away, i.e., encounter

τῷ21 of 27
G3588

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

μετὰ22 of 27

with

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

εἴκοσι23 of 27

twenty

G1501

a score

χιλιάδων24 of 27

thousand

G5505

one thousand ("chiliad")

ἐρχομένῳ25 of 27

him that cometh

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

ἐπ'26 of 27

against

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

αὐτόν27 of 27

him

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


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 14:31 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 14:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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