What is the meaning of Luke 14:19? Another said • The words “Another said” show that the banquet host (a picture of God, Luke 14:16) has already heard multiple excuses; this is one more in a pattern of refusal (Luke 14:18–20). • Each person answers for himself—no one can blame the crowd. Ezekiel 18:20 reminds us that “The righteousness of the righteous man will be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked man will be upon him.” • Jesus underscores personal responsibility: “Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear” (Luke 14:35). I have bought five yoke of oxen • Five yoke equals ten oxen—significant wealth in an agrarian culture (compare Job 1:3). The man isn’t destitute; he’s prosperous. • Material blessings are not condemned, but they become a snare when they hinder obedience (1 Timothy 6:9–10; Proverbs 11:28). • Like the rich young ruler who “went away sorrowful, for he had great wealth” (Mark 10:22), this buyer clings to possessions rather than the invitation. • The excuse exposes misplaced priorities: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Luke 12:34). and I am going to try them out • He claims urgent business—field tests can’t wait. Yet true urgency should revolve around the kingdom (Matthew 6:33). • Jesus contrasts earthly toil with eternal readiness: “Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life” (John 6:27). • The man assumes tomorrow is guaranteed. James 4:13–15 warns, “You do not even know what will happen tomorrow… you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills.’” Please excuse me • The polite words mask a heart that sees the banquet as optional. Isaiah 29:13 describes lips that honor God while hearts stay distant. • Excusing oneself from the Master’s table equals rejecting Him (Luke 10:16). • Jesus calls for uncompromising allegiance: “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). • The first commandment stands: “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3). summary Luke 14:19 depicts a respectable, prosperous man who declines God’s invitation because his new possessions demand attention. His seemingly reasonable request reveals deeper issues: misplaced priorities, presumption about the future, and a courteous veneer over genuine rejection. Jesus warns that any attachment—wealth, work, or social expectations—can blind us to the supreme privilege of fellowship with Him. The call remains: accept the invitation now, before the banquet hall closes. |
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