Luke 14:18
New International Version
“But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’

New Living Translation
But they all began making excuses. One said, ‘I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.’

English Standard Version
But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.’

Berean Standard Bible
But one after another they all began to make excuses. The first one said, ‘I have bought a field, and I need to go see it. Please excuse me.’

Berean Literal Bible
And all with one voice began to excuse themselves. The first said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I have need, going out, to see it. I beg of you, hold me excused.'

King James Bible
And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.

New King James Version
But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.’

New American Standard Bible
And yet they all alike began to make excuses. The first one said to him, ‘I purchased a field and I need to go out to look at it; please consider me excused.’

NASB 1995
“But they all alike began to make excuses. The first one said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of land and I need to go out and look at it; please consider me excused.’

NASB 1977
“But they all alike began to make excuses. The first one said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of land and I need to go out and look at it; please consider me excused.’

Legacy Standard Bible
But they all alike began to make excuses. The first one said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of land and I need to go out and look at it. I ask you, consider me excused.’

Amplified Bible
But they all alike began to make excuses. The first one said to him, ‘I have purchased a piece of land and I have to go out and see it; please consider me excused.’

Christian Standard Bible
“But without exception they all began to make excuses. The first one said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. I ask you to excuse me.’

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“But without exception they all began to make excuses. The first one said to him, I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. I ask you to excuse me.’

American Standard Version
And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a field, and I must needs go out and see it; I pray thee have me excused.

Contemporary English Version
One guest after another started making excuses. The first one said, "I bought some land, and I've got to look it over. Please excuse me."

English Revised Version
And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a field, and I must needs go out and see it: I pray thee have me excused.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Everyone asked to be excused. The first said to him, 'I bought a field, and I need to see it. Please excuse me.'

Good News Translation
But they all began, one after another, to make excuses. The first one told the servant, 'I have bought a field and must go and look at it; please accept my apologies.'

International Standard Version
Every single one of them began asking to be excused. The first told him, 'I bought a field, and I need to go out and inspect it. Please excuse me.'

Majority Standard Bible
But one after another they all began to make excuses. The first one said, ?I have bought a field, and I need to go and see it. Please excuse me.?

NET Bible
But one after another they all began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please excuse me.'

New Heart English Bible
They all as one began to make excuses. "The first said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please have me excused.'

Webster's Bible Translation
And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said to him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.

Weymouth New Testament
"But they all without exception began to excuse themselves. The first told him, "'I have purchased a piece of land, and must of necessity go and look at it. Pray hold me excused.'

World English Bible
They all as one began to make excuses. “The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please have me excused.’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And all began with one [voice] to excuse themselves. The first said to him, I bought a field, and I have need to go forth and see it; I beg of you, have me excused.

Berean Literal Bible
And all with one voice began to excuse themselves. The first said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I have need, going out, to see it. I beg of you, hold me excused.'

Young's Literal Translation
'And they began with one consent all to excuse themselves: The first said to him, A field I bought, and I have need to go forth and see it; I beg of thee, have me excused.

Smith's Literal Translation
And from one they all began to conciliate. The first said to him, I bought a field, and have necessity to go and see it: I ask thee, have me pardoned.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And they began all at once to make excuse. The first said to him: I have bought a farm, and I must needs go out and see it: I pray thee, hold me excused.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And at once they all began to make excuses. The first said to him: ‘I bought a farm, and I need to go out and see it. I ask you to excuse me.’

New American Bible
But one by one, they all began to excuse themselves. The first said to him, ‘I have purchased a field and must go to examine it; I ask you, consider me excused.’

New Revised Standard Version
But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of land, and I must go out and see it; please accept my regrets.’
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
One and all, they began to make excuse. The first said to him, I have bought a field, and I am forced to go and see it; I beg you to excuse me for being called away.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“And they began each and every one of them to make excuses; the first said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I am compelled to go to see it. I beg of you, allow me to be excused.' “
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And they all, with one consent, began to make excuse. The first said to him, I have bought a farm, and I must go and see it; I pray you, have me excused.

Godbey New Testament
And they all of one consent began to make excuse. The first said to him, I have bought a farm, and I have need having gone to see it: I pray thee have me excused.

Haweis New Testament
And they all began with one voice to frame excuses. The first said to him, I have bought a field, and I must of necessity go and survey it: I pray thee hold me excused.

Mace New Testament
but they were all of a mind in making some excuse: the first said to him, I have bought a piece of ground, which I must needs go and see: therefore pray excuse me.

Weymouth New Testament
"But they all without exception began to excuse themselves. The first told him, "'I have purchased a piece of land, and must of necessity go and look at it. Pray hold me excused.'

Worrell New Testament
"And they all, with one consent, began to make excuse. The first said to him, 'I bought a field, and I must go out to see it; I pray you, have me excused.'

Worsley New Testament
And they all with one consent began to make excuses; the first said, I have bought a field, and I must go and see it, pray have me excused.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Parable of the Banquet
17When it was time for the banquet, he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ 18But one after another they all began to make excuses. The first one said, ‘I have bought a field, and I need to go see it. Please excuse me.’ 19Another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out. Please excuse me.’…

Cross References
Matthew 22:5
But they paid no attention and went away, one to his field, another to his business.

Proverbs 24:30-34
I went past the field of a slacker and by the vineyard of a man lacking judgment. / Thorns had grown up everywhere, thistles had covered the ground, and the stone wall was broken down. / I observed and took it to heart; I looked and received instruction: ...

Matthew 8:21-22
Another of His disciples requested, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” / But Jesus told him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

Matthew 19:21-22
Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” / When the young man heard this, he went away in sorrow, because he had great wealth.

Luke 9:59-62
Then He said to another man, “Follow Me.” The man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” / But Jesus told him, “Let the dead bury their own dead. You, however, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” / Still another said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first let me bid farewell to my family.” ...

John 6:66
From that time on many of His disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him.

1 John 2:15-17
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. / For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. / The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.

2 Timothy 4:10
because Demas, in his love of this world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.

Hebrews 12:25
See to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if the people did not escape when they refused Him who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject Him who warns us from heaven?

Acts 24:25
As Paul expounded on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “You may go for now. When I find the time, I will call for you.”

Revelation 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.

Isaiah 55:1-3
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost! / Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods. / Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant—My loving devotion promised to David.

Proverbs 1:24-25
Because you refused my call, and no one took my outstretched hand, / because you neglected all my counsel, and wanted none of my correction,

Jeremiah 6:16-17
This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths: ‘Where is the good way?’ Then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’ / I appointed watchmen over you and said, ‘Listen for the sound of the ram’s horn.’ But they answered, ‘We will not listen!’

Zechariah 7:11-13
But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they stopped up their ears from hearing. / They made their hearts like flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the LORD of Hosts had sent by His Spirit through the earlier prophets. Therefore great anger came from the LORD of Hosts. / And just as I had called and they would not listen, so when they called I would not listen, says the LORD of Hosts.


Treasury of Scripture

And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said to him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray you have me excused.

all.

Luke 20:4,5
The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? …

Isaiah 28:12,13
To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear…

Isaiah 29:11,12
And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: …

I have.

Luke 8:14
And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

Luke 17:26-31
And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man…

Luke 18:24
And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

Jump to Previous
Able Beg Bought Consent Consider Exception Excuse Excused Field First Forth Full Ground Hold Necessary Necessity Need Needs New Piece Please Purchased Reasons Regret Themselves Unable
Jump to Next
Able Beg Bought Consent Consider Exception Excuse Excused Field First Forth Full Ground Hold Necessary Necessity Need Needs New Piece Please Purchased Reasons Regret Themselves Unable
Luke 14
1. Jesus heals the dropsy on the Sabbath;
7. teaches humility;
12. to feast the poor;
15. under the parable of the great supper,
23. shows how worldly minded men shall be shut out of heaven.
25. Those who will be his disciples, to bear their cross must make their accounts beforehand,
31. lest with shame they revolt from him afterward;
34. and become altogether unprofitable, like salt that has lost its flavor.














But they all alike began to make excuses
This phrase introduces a critical moment in Jesus' parable of the Great Banquet, where those invited to the feast decline the invitation. The Greek word for "excuses" is "παραιτέομαι" (paraiteomai), which implies a refusal or rejection. This reflects a deeper spiritual truth about the human tendency to prioritize worldly concerns over divine invitations. Historically, banquets were significant social events, and declining an invitation was a serious breach of etiquette, symbolizing the gravity of rejecting God's call.

The first one said, 'I have bought a field, and I need to go see it.'
The phrase "I have bought a field" indicates a preoccupation with material possessions. In the agrarian society of ancient Israel, land ownership was a sign of wealth and stability. The Greek word for "field" is "ἀγρός" (agros), emphasizing the tangible, earthly concerns that often distract from spiritual commitments. This reflects the biblical theme of the dangers of materialism, as seen in passages like Matthew 6:19-21, where Jesus warns against storing up treasures on earth.

Please excuse me.'
The request for excuse is a polite dismissal, yet it underscores a lack of understanding of the banquet's significance. The Greek word "ἔχε με παρῃτημένον" (eche me parēitēmenon) translates to "consider me excused," highlighting a formal yet insincere attempt to justify one's absence. This mirrors the spiritual apathy that can arise when individuals prioritize personal interests over God's kingdom, a recurring theme in Jesus' teachings.

(18) They all with one consent . . .--The Greek phrase, as the italics show, is elliptical; but the English idiom expresses its meaning whether we take the omitted noun to be "voice," or "consent" or "mind."

To make excuse.--To beg off would, perhaps, be too colloquial, but it exactly expresses the force of the Greek verb.

I have bought a piece of ground.--The Greek noun implies a little more than the English--better, perhaps, a farm (see Notes on Mark 6:36); and the tense in each case is strictly one in which a man naturally speaks of the immediate past--"I bought but now."



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
But
Καὶ (Kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

one after another,
μιᾶς (mias)
Adjective - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1520: One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.

they all
πάντες (pantes)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

began
ἤρξαντο (ērxanto)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 756: To begin. Middle voice of archo; to commence.

to make excuses.
παραιτεῖσθαι (paraiteisthai)
Verb - Present Infinitive Middle or Passive
Strong's 3868: From para and the middle voice of aiteo; to beg off, i.e. Deprecate, decline, shun.

The
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

first [one]
πρῶτος (prōtos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4413: First, before, principal, most important. Contracted superlative of pro; foremost.

said,
εἶπεν (eipen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

‘I have bought
ἠγόρασα (ēgorasa)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 59: To buy. From agora; properly, to go to market, i.e. to purchase; specially, to redeem.

a field
Ἀγρὸν (Agron)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 68: From ago; a field; genitive case, the country; specially, a farm, i.e. Hamlet.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

I
ἔχω (echō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

need
ἀνάγκην (anankēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 318: From ana and the base of agkale; constraint; by implication, distress.

to go
ἐξελθὼν (exelthōn)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1831: To go out, come out. From ek and erchomai; to issue.

see
ἰδεῖν (idein)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 3708: Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.

it.
αὐτόν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

Please
ἐρωτῶ (erōtō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2065: Apparently from ereo; to interrogate; by implication, to request.

excuse
παρῃτημένον (parētēmenon)
Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3868: From para and the middle voice of aiteo; to beg off, i.e. Deprecate, decline, shun.

me.’
με (me)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.


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