So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.

LUKE 14:21KJV
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Luke 14:21 (KJV)

What does Luke 14:21 mean?

Luke 14:21 describes how, after being rejected by the original invited guests, the master of the house tells his servant to quickly go out into the city and bring in the poor, the disabled, the lame, and the blind. This shows the master's determination to fill his banquet with people, especially those who are usually left out or overlooked.

In this scene, Jesus is telling a parable at a dinner with religious leaders. The "servant" reports that the invited guests have refused to come, which angers the "master" (representing God). The master then sends the servant to gather people from the streets and alleys—those who would not normally be invited to such a feast—highlighting the openness and generosity of God's invitation.

The Greek behind Luke 14:21

  • The word for "servant" (δοῦλος, doulos) means a household slave or servant, emphasizing the servant’s role as someone carrying out the master's will without question.
  • The word for "streets" (πλατεῖαι, plateiai) refers to broad public roads, while "lanes" (ῥύμας, rhymas) means narrower side streets or alleys. This pairing suggests a thorough search everywhere in the city, not just the main places.
  • The terms for "poor" (πτωχούς, ptōchous), "maimed" (ἀναπήρους, anapērous), "halt" (χωλούς, chōlous), and "blind" (τυφλούς, typhlous) all point to people who were marginalized in society, making the invitation especially striking.

Why Luke 14:21 matters

  • Luke 14:21 clears up the idea that only certain people are welcome in God’s kingdom; the invitation is for everyone, especially those who are often excluded.
  • The verse highlights the urgency ("quickly") and determination of the master, showing that God actively seeks out people to join Him, not passively waiting for a response.
  • This verse sets up the rest of the parable, where the master's generosity goes even further, helping readers see the wide reach of God’s grace in the context of Jesus’ teaching.

Where else these words appear

“maimed” Greek G376 · used in 2 verses

  • Luke 14:13 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:

“lanes” Greek G4505 · used in 4 verses

  • Matthew 6:2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
  • Acts 9:11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
  • Acts 12:10 When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.

“angry” Greek G3710 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
  • Matthew 22:7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
  • Ephesians 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

“streets” Greek G4113 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
  • Luke 10:10 But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,
  • Revelation 11:8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.