And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.
LUKE 14:9KJVWhat does Luke 14:9 mean?
Luke 14:9 describes a situation where someone who invited you to a feast comes and asks you to give up your seat for another guest, and you are embarrassed as you move to the least important place. The verse warns about the shame that can come from seeking honor for yourself rather than waiting to be honored by others.
In this verse, Jesus is speaking to people at a meal, using a story about a wedding feast to teach about humility. He describes how, if you take a prominent seat and someone more important arrives, the host might ask you to move, causing public embarrassment. The lesson is about not assuming your own importance and letting others recognize your value instead.
The Greek behind Luke 14:9
- "κατασχέιν" (kataschein, G2722) — "to take" or "to occupy." The word here suggests not just sitting somewhere, but actively taking possession of a place, which adds to the sense of presumption in the story.
- "ἐσχάτην" (eschatēn, G2078) — "lowest" or "last." This word highlights the contrast between aiming for a high position and ending up in the least desirable one, sharpening the warning about pride.
- "μετὰ αἰσχύνης" (meta aischunēs, G3326 G152) — "with shame." The Greek phrase carries the sense of public embarrassment or disgrace, emphasizing the social consequences of overestimating your own status.
Why Luke 14:9 matters
- Luke 14:9 clarifies that seeking honor for yourself can backfire and lead to embarrassment, especially in public or social settings.
- The verse highlights the importance of humility, which is a key theme in Jesus’ teachings throughout this chapter.
- Understanding this verse helps make sense of the broader lesson Jesus gives about how God values humility over self-promotion, connecting it to the kingdom of God and how people should treat each other.