Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? New Living Translation “Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him? English Standard Version Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Berean Standard Bible Or what king on his way to war with another king will not first sit down and consider whether he can engage with ten thousand men the one coming against him with twenty thousand? Berean Literal Bible Or what king proceeding to engage with another king in war will not, having sat down, first take counsel, whether he is able with ten thousand to meet the one coming against him with twenty thousand? King James Bible Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? New King James Version Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? New American Standard Bible Or what king, when he sets out to meet another king in battle, will not first sit down and consider whether he is strong enough with ten thousand men to face the one coming against him with twenty thousand? NASB 1995 “Or what king, when he sets out to meet another king in battle, will not first sit down and consider whether he is strong enough with ten thousand men to encounter the one coming against him with twenty thousand? NASB 1977 “Or what king, when he sets out to meet another king in battle, will not first sit down and take counsel whether he is strong enough with ten thousand men to encounter the one coming against him with twenty thousand? Legacy Standard Bible Or what king, when he sets out to meet another king in battle, will not first sit down and consider whether he is strong enough with ten thousand men to encounter the one coming against him with twenty thousand? Amplified Bible Or what king, when he sets out to meet another king in battle, will not first sit down and consider whether he is strong enough with ten thousand men to encounter the one who is coming against him with twenty thousand? Berean Annotated Bible Or what king on his way to war with another king will not first sit down and consider whether he can engage with ten thousand men the one coming against him with twenty thousand? Christian Standard Bible “Or what king, going to war against another king, will not first sit down and decide if he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? Holman Christian Standard Bible “Or what king, going to war against another king, will not first sit down and decide if he is able with 10,000 to oppose the one who comes against him with 20,000? American Standard Version Or what king, as he goeth to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and take counsel whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Contemporary English Version What will a king do if he has only 10,000 soldiers to defend himself against a king who is about to attack him with 20,000 soldiers? Before he goes out to battle, won't he first sit down and decide if he can win? English Revised Version Or what king, as he goeth to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and take counsel whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? GOD'S WORD® Translation "Or suppose a king is going to war against another king. He would first sit down and think things through. Can he and his 10,000 soldiers fight against a king with 20,000 soldiers? Good News Translation If a king goes out with ten thousand men to fight another king who comes against him with twenty thousand men, he will sit down first and decide if he is strong enough to face that other king. International Standard Version "Or suppose a king is going to war against another king. He will first sit down and consider whether with 10,000 men he can fight the one coming against him with 20,000 men, won't he? NET Bible Or what king, going out to confront another king in battle, will not sit down first and determine whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? New Heart English Bible Or what king, as he goes to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Webster's Bible Translation Or what king going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Weymouth New Testament Or what king, marching to encounter another king in war, does not first sit down and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand men to meet the one who is advancing against him with twenty thousand? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleOr what king on his way to war with another king does not first sit down and consider whether he can engage with ten thousand men the one coming against him with twenty thousand? World English Bible Or what king, as he goes to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionOr what king going on to engage with another king in war, does not, having sat down, first consult if he with ten thousand is able to meet him who is coming against him with twenty thousand? Berean Literal Bible Or what king proceeding to engage with another king in war will not, having sat down, first take counsel, whether he is able with ten thousand to meet the one coming against him with twenty thousand? Young's Literal Translation 'Or what king going on to engage with another king in war, doth not, having sat down, first consult if he be able with ten thousand to meet him who with twenty thousand is coming against him? Smith's Literal Translation Or what king, going to fight with another king in war, not, having sat down first, consults, if he be able with ten thousand to meet him coming with twenty thousand against him? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleOr what king, about to go to make war against another king, doth not first sit down, and think whether he be able, with ten thousand, to meet him that, with twenty thousand, cometh against him? Catholic Public Domain Version Or, what king, advancing to engage in war against another king, would not first sit down and consider whether he may be able, with ten thousand, to meet one who comes against him with twenty thousand? New American Bible Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops? New Revised Standard Version Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleOr which king, who goes to war to fight against a king equal to him, would not at first reason, whether he is able with ten thousand to meet the one who is coming against him with twenty thousand? Aramaic Bible in Plain English “Or who is the King who goes to battle to fight with a neighboring King and does not first consider whether he can with 10,000 confront him who comes against him with 20,000?” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentOr, what king, going to make war against another king, does not first sit down, and deliberate whether he is able, with ten thousand, to meet him that is coming; against him with twenty thousand? Godbey New Testament Haweis New Testament Or what king, going forth to encounter another king in battle, doth not sit down first, and consult if he is able with ten thousand men to meet him who is coming against him with twenty thousand? Mace New Testament or where is the king, that will march to give battle to another king, without setting himself first to deliberate, whether he is strong enough with ten thousand to withstand an army of twenty thousand? Weymouth New Testament Or what king, marching to encounter another king in war, does not first sit down and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand men to meet the one who is advancing against him with twenty thousand? Worrell New Testament Worsley New Testament Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Cost of Discipleship…30saying, ‘This man could not finish what he started to build.’ 31Or what king on his way to war with another king will not first sit down and consider whether he can engage with ten thousand men the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32And if he is unable, he will send a delegation while the other king is still far off, to ask for terms of peace.… Cross References Or what king on his way to war with another king 1 Kings 20:1 Now Ben-hadad king of Aram assembled his entire army. Accompanied by thirty-two kings with their horses and chariots, he marched up, besieged Samaria, and waged war against it. Deuteronomy 20:1 When you go out to war against your enemies and see horses, chariots, and an army larger than yours, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you. Proverbs 20:18 Set plans by consultation, and wage war under sound guidance. will not first sit down and consider Proverbs 4:26 Make a level path for your feet, and all your ways will be sure. Proverbs 14:15 The simple man believes every word, but the prudent man watches his steps. Proverbs 16:9 A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. whether he can engage with ten thousand men 2 Chronicles 14:11 Then Asa cried out to the LORD his God: “O LORD, there is no one besides You to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on You, and in Your name we have come against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God. Do not let a mere mortal prevail against You.” 1 Samuel 14:6 Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.” Deuteronomy 20:8 Then the officers shall speak further to the army, saying, “Is any man afraid or fainthearted? Let him return home, so that the hearts of his brothers will not melt like his own.” the one coming against him with twenty thousand? Psalm 33:16-17 No king is saved by his vast army; no warrior is delivered by his great strength. / A horse is a vain hope for salvation; even its great strength cannot save. 2 Chronicles 32:7-8 “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged before the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater One with us than with him. / With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.” So the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah. 2 Chronicles 20:15 And he said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army, for the battle does not belong to you, but to God. Proverbs 24:6 Only with sound guidance should you wage war, and victory lies in a multitude of counselors. Matthew 10:16 Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 2 Samuel 10:6-19 When the Ammonites realized that they had become a stench to David, they hired twenty thousand Aramean foot soldiers from Beth-rehob and Zoba, as well as a thousand men from the king of Maacah and twelve thousand men from Tob. / On hearing this, David sent Joab and the entire army of mighty men. / The Ammonites marched out and arrayed themselves for battle at the entrance of the city gate, while the Arameans of Zobah and Rehob and the men of Tob and Maacah were by themselves in the open country. … Judges 7:1-25 Early in the morning Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and all the men with him camped beside the spring of Harod. And the camp of Midian was north of them in the valley near the hill of Moreh. / Then the LORD said to Gideon, “You have too many men for Me to deliver Midian into their hands, lest Israel glorify themselves over Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’ / Now, therefore, proclaim in the hearing of the men: ‘Whoever is fearful and trembling may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’” So twenty-two thousand of them turned back, but ten thousand remained. … Treasury of Scripture Or what king, going to make war against another king, sits not down first, and consults whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that comes against him with twenty thousand? 1 Kings 20:11 And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him, Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off. 2 Kings 18:20-22 Thou sayest, (but they are but vain words,) I have counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me? … Proverbs 20:18 Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war. Jump to Previous Able Advancing Consider Consulteth Counsel Deliberate Encounter First Goes Marching Meet Sit Sitteth Ten Thousand Twenty War WhetherJump to Next Able Advancing Consider Consulteth Counsel Deliberate Encounter First Goes Marching Meet Sit Sitteth Ten Thousand Twenty War WhetherLuke 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. Or what king on his way to war with another king This phrase sets the stage for a parable about counting the cost, a common theme in Jesus' teachings. In the ancient Near East, kings often engaged in territorial disputes, and warfare was a regular occurrence. The imagery of a king preparing for battle would have been familiar to Jesus' audience, who lived under Roman occupation and were aware of the political and military maneuvers of their time. This context emphasizes the seriousness and strategic planning required in leadership and decision-making. will not first sit down and consider whether he can engage with ten thousand men the one coming against him with twenty thousand? Persons / Places / Events 1. The KingRepresents a leader or decision-maker who must evaluate his resources and strategy before engaging in battle. This figure is used by Jesus to illustrate the importance of careful planning and consideration in discipleship. 2. The Other King Symbolizes an opposing force or challenge that is greater in number or strength, emphasizing the need for wisdom and discernment in facing life's challenges. 3. The War A metaphor for the spiritual and practical battles one faces in life, particularly in the context of following Christ and the cost of discipleship. Teaching Points Counting the Cost of DiscipleshipJust as a king must assess his ability to win a battle, believers must consider the sacrifices and commitments involved in following Christ. Strategic Spiritual Planning Like the king who plans for war, Christians are called to be strategic in their spiritual lives, preparing for challenges through prayer, study, and community. Wisdom in Decision-Making This passage encourages believers to seek wisdom and discernment in all decisions, recognizing the importance of evaluating one's resources and capabilities. Dependence on God’s Strength While planning is essential, believers must ultimately rely on God's strength and guidance, acknowledging that human resources are limited. Facing Challenges with Faith The parable reminds us that challenges will come, but with faith and preparation, we can face them confidently. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Luke 14:31?2. How does Luke 14:31 illustrate the importance of planning in spiritual battles? 3. What does "consider whether he can engage" teach about assessing spiritual readiness? 4. How can Luke 14:31 be connected to Ephesians 6:11 on spiritual armor? 5. In what ways can we apply strategic planning to our Christian walk today? 6. How does this verse encourage seeking God's wisdom before making major decisions? 7. How does Luke 14:31 illustrate the importance of strategic planning in Christian life? 8. What historical context influenced the message of Luke 14:31? 9. How does Luke 14:31 relate to the concept of counting the cost of discipleship? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Luke 14? 11. What defines Biblical Womanhood? 12. What principles define the Just War Theory? 13. Luke 14:31-32: Does Jesus' warfare analogy conflict with other passages (e.g., Matthew 5:9) advocating peace? 14. Luke 14:28-33: Is giving up 'everything' truly feasible, and why do we see inconsistencies in how this was practiced historically? What Does Luke 14:31 Mean Or what king“Or what king…” (Luke 14:31a) • Jesus moves from the builder illustration (Luke 14:28–30) to a royal scenario to press the same point: a sensible ruler weighs realities before acting. • Scripture consistently portrays wise leadership as reflective, not rash (Proverbs 20:18; Proverbs 24:6). • By invoking a king, Jesus signals the high stakes of discipleship; following Him is not a hobby but a kingdom decision (Matthew 6:33). on his way to war with another king “…on his way to war with another king…” (Luke 14:31b) • War language reminds us that life in Christ involves conflict—spiritual, moral, cultural (Ephesians 6:12; 1 Timothy 6:12). • The advance “on his way” pictures intentional movement; no disciple drifts into battle unawares (1 Peter 5:8). • The second king represents a real opponent, not a theoretical one. Following Jesus invites genuine resistance (John 15:18–19). will not first sit down “…will not first sit down…” (Luke 14:31c) • Sitting signals deliberate pause. Before vows are made, Jesus urges a calculated pause (Luke 9:57–62). • Countless biblical examples highlight the value of stopping to seek God’s counsel—Joshua before Ai (Joshua 7:2–7) or David before battle (2 Samuel 5:19). • For every believer: – Take inventory of motives. – Pray for clarity (James 1:5). – Weigh the lifelong nature of the call (Revelation 2:10). and consider whether he can engage “…and consider whether he can engage…” (Luke 14:31d) • “Consider” underscores thoughtful evaluation (Proverbs 14:15). • Jesus advocates realism about personal capacity (Romans 12:3). • Self-examination precedes wise commitment (2 Corinthians 13:5). • Application points: – Assess time, relationships, and resources. – Recognize areas needing surrender or strengthening (Hebrews 12:1). with ten thousand men “…with ten thousand men…” (Luke 14:31e) • The smaller force pictures our finite resources—strength, intellect, finances. • Scripture often highlights God’s people as the minority (Judges 7:7; 1 Samuel 14:6). • Dependence on the Lord, not on numbers, marks true discipleship (Psalm 20:7). • Yet Jesus still says to “consider”; reckless presumption is not faith. the one coming against him with twenty thousand? “…the one coming against him with twenty thousand?” (Luke 14:31f) • The opposing king doubles the force, stressing overwhelming odds. • Ultimately, the greater King we all face is God Himself; rebellion is futile (Psalm 2:1–12). • If the illustration is applied to discipleship, the twenty-thousand reality warns that half-hearted followers will collapse under pressure (Matthew 13:20–21). • Options when outmatched: – Sue for peace (Luke 14:32, the next verse). – Yield fully to the rightful King—exactly what Jesus calls for (Luke 14:33). summary Jesus’ picture of two kings at war drives home the need to count the cost of following Him. A wise person pauses, assesses resources, recognizes the seriousness of spiritual conflict, and humbly surrenders to the greater King. Discipleship is wholehearted, deliberate, and lifelong—anything less is folly in the face of the One whose kingdom cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12:28). (31) What king, going to make war against another king . .?--Here also there may have been a side-glance at contemporary history. The Tetrarch's divorce of his first wife had involved him in a war with her father Aretas, an Arabian king or ethnarch (see Note on Luke 3:14), in which his army was destroyed, and the Jewish historian sees in this the commencement of all his subsequent misfortunes (Jos. Ant. v., 18:5, ? 1).In the spiritual interpretation of the two parables, the tower reminds us of the house in Matthew 7:24-27, and so stands for the structure of a holy life reared on the one Foundation; the warfare brings to our remembrance the conflict described in Matthew 12:29. Here it stands partly for the conflict which every Christian carries on against sin, the world, and the devil, and of which we should take a clear estimate before we enter on it, partly for the greater war on which Christ Himself had entered, and of which He too had counted the cost-- that being, in His case, nothing less than the sacrifice of His own life. Verses 31, 32. - Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand! Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. It is not improbable that this simile was derived from the history of the time. The unhappy connection of the tetrarch Herod with Herodias had brought about the divorce of that sovereign's first wife, who was daughter of Aretas, a powerful Arabian prince. This involved Herod in an Arabian war, the result of which was disastrous to the tetrarch. Josephus points out that this ill-omened incident was the commencement of Herod Antipas's subsequent misfortunes. Our Lord not improbably used this simile, foreseeing what would be the ultimate end of this unhappy war of Herod. The. first of these two little similes rather points to the building up of the Christian life in the heart and life. The second is an image of the warfare which' every Christian man must wage against the world, its passions, and its lusts. If we cannot brace ourselves up to the' sacrifice necessary for the completion of the building up of the life we know the Master loves; if we shrink from the cost involved in the warfare against sin and evil - a warfare which will only end with life - better for us not to begin the building or risk the war. It will be a wretched alternative, but still it will be best for us to make our submission at once to the world and its prince; at least, by so doing we shall avoid the scandal and the shame of injuring a cause which we adopted only to forsake. The Swiss commentator Godet very naturally uses here a simile taken from his own nationality: "Would not a little nation like the Swiss bring down ridicule on itself by declaring war with France, if it were not determined to die nobly on the field of battle?" He was thinking of the splendid patriotism of his own brave ancestors who had determined so to die, and who carried out their gallant purpose. He was thinking of stricken fields like Morgarten and Sempach, and of brave hearts like those of Rudolph of Erlach, and Arnold of Winkelried, who loved their country better than their lives. This was the spirit with which Christ's warriors must undertake the hard stern warfare against an evil and corrupt world, otherwise better let his cause alone. The sombre shadow of the cross lay heavy and dark across all the Redeemer's words spoken at this time.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek OrἪ (Ē) Conjunction Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than. what τίς (tis) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what. king βασιλεὺς (basileus) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 935: A king, ruler, but in some passages clearly to be translated: emperor. Probably from basis; a sovereign. on his way πορευόμενος (poreuomenos) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 4198: To travel, journey, go, die. to war πόλεμον (polemon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 4171: A war, battle, strife. From pelomai; warfare. with another ἑτέρῳ (heterō) Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular Strong's 2087: (a) of two: another, a second, (b) other, different, (c) one's neighbor. Of uncertain affinity; other or different. king βασιλεῖ (basilei) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular Strong's 935: A king, ruler, but in some passages clearly to be translated: emperor. Probably from basis; a sovereign. will not first sit down καθίσας (kathisas) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 2523: Another form for kathezomai; to seat down, i.e. Set; intransitively, to sit; figuratively, to settle. [and] consider βουλεύσεται (bouleusetai) Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1011: To deliberate, take counsel, determine. From boule; to advise, i.e. deliberate, or resolve. whether εἰ (ei) Conjunction Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. he ἐστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. can δυνατός (dynatos) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 1415: (a) of persons: powerful, able, (b) of things: possible. From dunamai; powerful or capable; neuter possible. engage ὑπαντῆσαι (hypantēsai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active Strong's 5221: To meet, go to meet. From hupo and a derivative of anti; to go opposite under, i.e. To encounter, fall in with. with ἐν (en) Preposition Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. ten δέκα (deka) Adjective - Dative Feminine Plural Strong's 1176: Ten. A primary number; ten. thousand [men] χιλιάσιν (chiliasin) Noun - Dative Feminine Plural Strong's 5505: A thousand, the number one thousand. From chilioi; one thousand. the [one] τῷ (tō) Article - Dative 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. coming ἐρχομένῳ (erchomenō) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Dative Masculine Singular Strong's 2064: To come, go. against ἐπ’ (ep’) Preposition Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at. him 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. with μετὰ (meta) Preposition Strong's 3326: (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives. twenty εἴκοσι (eikosi) Adjective - Genitive Feminine Plural Strong's 1501: Twenty. Of uncertain affinity; a score. thousand? χιλιάδων (chiliadōn) Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural Strong's 5505: A thousand, the number one thousand. From chilioi; one thousand. Links Luke 14:31 NIVLuke 14:31 NLT Luke 14:31 ESV Luke 14:31 NASB Luke 14:31 KJV Luke 14:31 BibleApps.com Luke 14:31 Biblia Paralela Luke 14:31 Chinese Bible Luke 14:31 French Bible Luke 14:31 Catholic Bible NT Gospels: Luke 14:31 Or what king as he goes (Luke Lu Lk) |
    |