When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;

LUKE 14:8KJV
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Luke 14:8 (KJV)

What does Luke 14:8 mean?

Luke 14:8 warns not to take the most honored seat when invited to a wedding, because someone more distinguished may have been invited, and you could be asked to move. Jesus uses this advice to teach about humility and social awareness in gatherings.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to guests at a meal in the house of a Pharisee. The setting is a formal meal, and Jesus notices people choosing the best seats. He uses the example of a wedding feast to illustrate the risk of assuming one’s own importance, pointing out that it is wiser to wait and see where the host wants you to sit.

The Greek behind Luke 14:8

  • γάμος (gamos, "wedding"): The Greek word here specifically means a wedding feast, which was a major social event in the culture. This highlights the public nature of the seating and the potential for embarrassment.
  • πρωτοκλισία (protoklisia, "highest room"): This phrase refers to the most honored place at the table, not a separate room. The Greek emphasizes status and rank, showing that the warning is about seeking honor for oneself.
  • τιμή (timē, "honourable"): The word for "more honourable" points to social standing or reputation, underlining that the host decides who is most worthy of honor, not the guest.

Why Luke 14:8 matters

  • Luke 14:8 clarifies that Jesus is not just giving etiquette advice, but using a real-life situation to teach about humility and the dangers of self-promotion.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage, where Jesus challenges social customs and expectations about status, honor, and hospitality.
  • Understanding the cultural setting of public meals and seating arrangements helps modern readers see how Jesus’ teaching would have felt both practical and challenging to his original audience.

Where else these words appear

“sit” Greek G2625 · used in 3 verses

  • Luke 9:14 For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company.
  • Luke 24:30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.

“room” Greek G4411 · used in 5 verses

  • Matthew 23:6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
  • Mark 12:39 And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:
  • Luke 14:7 And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them,

“man” Greek G1784 · used in 5 verses

  • Luke 7:2 And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.
  • Philippians 2:29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:
  • 1 Peter 2:4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,

“wedding” Greek G1062 · used in 16 verses

  • Matthew 22:2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
  • Matthew 22:10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
  • John 2:1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: