And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

LUKE 14:23KJV
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Luke 14:23 (KJV)

What does Luke 14:23 mean?

Luke 14:23 describes a master instructing his servant to go out to the roads and country paths and strongly urge people to come in, so that the master’s house will be full. The verse shows the master’s determination to fill his house, even with people from outside the usual circles.

In this scene, Jesus is telling a parable at a dinner, where the "lord" (master) represents someone inviting guests to a great banquet. After the original invitees refuse to come, the master tells his servant to bring in anyone found along the "highways and hedges," meaning people far from the center of town or on the margins of society. The master’s command to "compel" them shows a strong desire to include everyone, not just the expected guests.

The Greek behind Luke 14:23

  • "Compel" (ἀνάγκασον, anankason): This Greek word means to urge strongly or even to persuade forcefully. Here, it suggests the master wants the servant to go beyond a casual invitation, making sure people know they are truly wanted.
  • "Highways" (ὁδούς, hodous) and "hedges" (φραγμούς, phragmous): These words refer to places outside the city, along roads and boundaries, highlighting that the invitation is extended to those who might not normally be included.
  • "Servant" (δοῦλον, doulon): The word for servant here implies someone acting on behalf of the master, carrying out his wishes with authority.

Why Luke 14:23 matters

  • Luke 14:23 clears up the idea that only certain people are invited; the invitation is meant for everyone, even those on the outskirts or who might feel unworthy.
  • The verse emphasizes the urgency and seriousness of the master’s desire to fill his house, showing that the invitation is not half-hearted or selective.
  • This verse connects to the wider parable, where those originally invited refuse, and the master’s response is to widen the invitation, hinting at a bigger message about inclusion and welcome.

Where else these words appear

“hedges” Greek G5418 · used in 4 verses

  • Matthew 21:33 Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:
  • Mark 12:1 And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country.
  • Ephesians 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

“filled” Greek G1072 · used in 8 verses

  • Mark 4:37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
  • Luke 15:16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
  • John 6:13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.

“compel” Greek G315 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 14:22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
  • Acts 26:11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.
  • Galatians 2:3 But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:

“highways” Greek G3598 · used in 99 verses

  • Matthew 2:12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
  • Mark 10:32 And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him,
  • Acts 9:2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.