And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.

LUKE 14:18KJV
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Luke 14:18 (KJV)

What does Luke 14:18 mean?

Luke 14:18 describes how, in Jesus’ parable, all the invited guests begin making excuses to avoid attending a great banquet. The first excuse comes from someone who claims he has just bought a piece of land and must go see it, asking to be excused from the invitation.

In this scene, Jesus is telling a story to a group of people at a meal, using the image of a banquet to illustrate a deeper point about responding to God’s invitation. The verse highlights how those invited—representing people who were expected to accept—find reasons not to come, starting with practical, everyday concerns. This sets up the contrast between the host’s generous offer and the guests’ unwillingness to accept it.

The Greek behind Luke 14:18

  • ἐξαίρεσιν (paradeigomai, G3868, “excuse”): The Greek word here carries the sense of declining or refusing an invitation, not just apologizing but actively turning down the offer. This emphasizes the guests’ deliberate choice to not attend.
  • ἀπὸ μιᾶς (apo mias, G575 + G3391, “with one consent”): This phrase suggests a unified response—everyone starts making excuses together, showing a collective unwillingness rather than just individual cases.
  • ἀγρόν (agron, G68, “piece of ground”): The specific mention of land as the excuse points to ordinary, material concerns taking priority over the invitation, which helps underline the point Jesus is making about misplaced priorities.

Why Luke 14:18 matters

  • Luke 14:18 clears up the idea that those who declined the invitation did so for trivial or everyday reasons, not because of hostility or inability, but by their own choice and priorities.
  • The verse emphasizes that the refusal was widespread and coordinated, not just an isolated incident, which sets the stage for the host’s later response in the parable.
  • Understanding this verse helps clarify the broader message of Jesus’ parable: that God’s invitation can be ignored or rejected, often for reasons that seem reasonable in daily life but miss the greater significance of what is being offered.

Where else these words appear

“excuse” Greek G3868 · used in 9 verses

  • Luke 14:19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
  • 1 Timothy 4:7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
  • Titus 3:10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;

“needs” Greek G318 · used in 18 verses

  • Matthew 18:7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
  • 1 Corinthians 7:37 Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.
  • Philemon 1:14 But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.

“bought” Greek G59 · used in 31 verses

  • Matthew 13:44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
  • Mark 15:46 And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.
  • 1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

“ground” Greek G68 · used in 34 verses

  • Matthew 6:28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
  • Matthew 24:40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
  • Mark 16:12 After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.