And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.

LUKE 14:15KJV
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Luke 14:15 (KJV)

What does Luke 14:15 mean?

Luke 14:15 describes someone at a meal with Jesus who, after hearing Jesus speak, says, “Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.” This person is expressing the idea that it will be a great honor and happiness to take part in God’s future kingdom, often pictured as a banquet.

In the setting, Jesus is dining with Pharisees and teaching about humility and the kingdom of God. One of the guests responds to Jesus’ words by making this statement, likely reflecting a common Jewish hope for a future time when God’s people would share in a joyful feast with Him. The verse shows how people of that time viewed God’s kingdom as something wonderful to look forward to, often using the image of sharing bread at a great table.

The Greek behind Luke 14:15

  • “Blessed” (μακάριος, makarios) means fortunate or truly happy. Here, it highlights the deep joy and honor expected for those included in God’s kingdom.
  • “Eat” (φάγεται, phagetai) and “bread” (ἄρτος, artos) together point to a real, shared meal. In Jewish thought, eating bread in God’s kingdom was a vivid way to picture being accepted and welcomed by God.
  • “Kingdom” (βασιλεία, basileia) refers to God’s reign or rule. In this context, it means the future time when God’s purposes are fully realized, often imagined as a grand feast.

Why Luke 14:15 matters

  • Luke 14:15 helps clarify that many Jews in Jesus’ day expected the kingdom of God to be a joyful, communal experience, not just a personal or spiritual one.
  • The verse sets up Jesus’ following parable about who will actually be invited and welcomed into God’s kingdom, challenging assumptions about who belongs.
  • This statement shows how Jesus’ teachings often prompted listeners to reflect on their own hopes and expectations about God’s promises.

Where else these words appear

“him” Greek G4873 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 9:10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.
  • Mark 2:15 And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.
  • Luke 7:49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?

“Blessed” Greek G3107 · used in 49 verses

  • Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
  • Luke 6:22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
  • Romans 14:22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.

“eat” Greek G5315 · used in 90 verses

  • Matthew 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
  • Luke 6:4 How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone?
  • John 18:28 Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.

“bread” Greek G740 · used in 91 verses

  • Matthew 4:3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
  • Mark 7:5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?
  • John 6:23 (Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:)