Luke 14:25 (KJV)

What does Luke 14:25 mean?

Luke 14:25 describes how large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and at that moment, Jesus turned around to address them directly. The verse sets the scene for an important teaching that Jesus is about to give to the people following him.

In this verse, Jesus is not speaking yet; instead, the focus is on the movement of many people with him and his deliberate action of turning to speak. The verse highlights that Jesus’ next words are meant for a broad audience—those who are interested in following him, not just his closest disciples. This sets up the context for the challenging message about discipleship that follows in the next verses.

The Greek behind Luke 14:25

• The word for "great" is πολύς (polys), which means "many" or "large." This emphasizes that it was not just a few followers, but a significant crowd.
• The word for "multitudes" is ὄχλος (ochlos), often used for crowds or groups of common people. This shows that Jesus’ audience included everyday people, not just religious leaders or insiders.
• The verb for "turned" is στραφείς (strapheis), meaning to physically turn around. This detail suggests Jesus made a purposeful movement to face the crowd, signaling the importance of what he was about to say.

Why Luke 14:25 matters

• This verse clears up that Jesus’ following was not limited to a small group; he attracted large numbers, which sets the stage for why he would clarify what true discipleship means.
• The mention of Jesus turning to address the crowd signals a shift from private teaching to a public, challenging message, highlighting the seriousness of his next words.
• Understanding the setting helps readers see that what follows is not just for the original disciples but for anyone considering following Jesus, making the teaching broadly relevant.