Luke 14:8
New International Version
“When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited.

New Living Translation
“When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited?

English Standard Version
“When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him,

Berean Standard Bible
“When you are invited to a wedding banquet, do not sit in the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited.

Berean Literal Bible
"When you are invited by anyone to wedding feasts, do not recline in the first place, lest one more honorable than you might have been invited by him.

King James Bible
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;

New King James Version
“When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him;

New American Standard Bible
“Whenever you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for someone more distinguished than you may have been invited by him,

NASB 1995
“When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for someone more distinguished than you may have been invited by him,

NASB 1977
“When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you may have been invited by him,

Legacy Standard Bible
“When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not recline at the place of honor, lest someone more highly regarded than you be invited by him,

Amplified Bible
“When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down [to eat] at the place of honor, since a more distinguished person than you may have been invited by the host,

Christian Standard Bible
“When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, don’t sit in the place of honor, because a more distinguished person than you may have been invited by your host.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, don’t recline at the best place, because a more distinguished person than you may have been invited by your host.

American Standard Version
When thou art bidden of any man to a marriage feast, sit not down in the chief seat; lest haply a more honorable man than thou be bidden of him,

Contemporary English Version
When you are invited to a wedding feast, don't sit in the best place. Someone more important may have been invited.

English Revised Version
When thou art bidden of any man to a marriage feast, sit not down in the chief seat; lest haply a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"When someone invites you to a wedding, don't take the place of honor. Maybe someone more important than you was invited.

Good News Translation
"When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place. It could happen that someone more important than you has been invited,

International Standard Version
"When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, don't sit down at the place of honor in case someone more important than you was invited by the host.

Majority Standard Bible
?When you are invited to a wedding banquet, do not sit in the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited.

NET Bible
"When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, because a person more distinguished than you may have been invited by your host.

New Heart English Bible
"When you are invited by anyone to a marriage feast, do not sit in the best seat, since perhaps someone more honorable than you might be invited by him,

Webster's Bible Translation
When thou art invited by any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room, lest a more honorable man than thou be invited by him;

Weymouth New Testament
"When any one invites you to a wedding banquet, do not take the best seat, lest perhaps some more honoured guest than you may have been asked,

World English Bible
“When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the best seat, since perhaps someone more honorable than you might be invited by him,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“When you may be called by anyone to wedding feasts, you may not recline on the first couch, lest [one] more honorable than you may have been called by him,

Berean Literal Bible
"When you are invited by anyone to wedding feasts, do not recline in the first place, lest one more honorable than you might have been invited by him.

Young's Literal Translation
'When thou mayest be called by any one to marriage-feasts, thou mayest not recline on the first couch, lest a more honourable than thou may have been called by him,

Smith's Literal Translation
When thou art called to the nuptials, thou shouldest not recline in the first place at table; lest a more honourable than thou be called by him:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
When thou art invited to a wedding, sit not down in the first place, lest perhaps one more honourable than thou be invited by him:

Catholic Public Domain Version
“When you are invited to a wedding, do not sit down in the first place, lest perhaps someone more honored than yourself may have been invited by him.

New American Bible
“When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor. A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him,

New Revised Standard Version
“When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
When you are invited of a man to a banquet house, do not go and sit in the front seat; it might be that a more honorable man than you is invited there;

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“When you are invited by a man to a banquet house, do not go seat yourself at the best seat, lest it may be that he will appoint a man there who is more honorable than you.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
When you are invited by any one to a wedding, do not recline in the first place, lest a more honorable man than you may have been invited by him;

Godbey New Testament
When you may be called by any one to a marriage feast, do not sit down upon the first couch; lest one more worthy than thee may have been called by him,

Haweis New Testament
When thou art invited of any person to a marriage entertainment, recline not on the principal couch; lest a more honourable personage than thyself be invited by him;

Mace New Testament
when any one invites you to a wedding, don't put yourself in the highest seat: for fear some person of greater distinction should be a guest,

Weymouth New Testament
"When any one invites you to a wedding banquet, do not take the best seat, lest perhaps some more honoured guest than you may have been asked,

Worrell New Testament
"When you are bidden by any one to a marriage feast, sit not on the first seat, lest possibly a more honorable man than you may have been invited by him;

Worsley New Testament
When thou art invited by any one to a wedding, do not sit down in the uppermost place, least one more honorable than thou be invited by him;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Parable of the Guests
7When Jesus noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, He told them a parable: 8“When you are invited to a wedding banquet, do not sit in the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited. 9Then the host who invited both of you will come and tell you, ‘Give this man your seat.’ And in humiliation, you will have to take the last place.…

Cross References
Proverbs 25:6-7
Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men; / for it is better that he says to you, “Come up here!” than that you should be demoted in the presence of the prince. Even what you have seen with your own eyes,

Matthew 23:12
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

James 4:10
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.

1 Peter 5:6
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you.

Matthew 20:16
So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

Matthew 22:11-14
But when the king came in to see the guests, he spotted a man who was not dressed in wedding clothes. / ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ But the man was speechless. / Then the king told the servants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ ...

Luke 18:14
I tell you, this man, rather than the Pharisee, went home justified. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Philippians 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.

Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.

Proverbs 11:2
When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom.

Proverbs 16:18-19
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. / It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud.

1 Samuel 2:7-8
The LORD sends poverty and wealth; He humbles and He exalts. / He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap. He seats them among princes and bestows on them a throne of honor. For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s, and upon them He has set the world.

Isaiah 57:15
For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and humble in spirit, to restore the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite.

Ezekiel 21:26
This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Remove the turban, and take off the crown. Things will not remain as they are: Exalt the lowly and bring low the exalted.

Job 5:11
He sets the lowly on high, so that mourners are lifted to safety.


Treasury of Scripture

When you are bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honorable man than you be bidden of him;

When.

Proverbs 25:6,7
Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men: …

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Banquet Best Bidden Distinguished Feast Highest Honor Honorable Honourable Honoured Important Invited Invites Marriage Perhaps Request Room Seat Sit Someone Table Thyself Wedding
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Banquet Best Bidden Distinguished Feast Highest Honor Honorable Honourable Honoured Important Invited Invites Marriage Perhaps Request Room Seat Sit Someone Table Thyself Wedding
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.














When you are invited
The Greek word for "invited" is "καλέω" (kaleō), which means to call or summon. In the context of a wedding banquet, this invitation is not merely a casual request but a significant social event. In ancient Jewish culture, weddings were grand occasions, often lasting several days, and being invited was a mark of honor and inclusion in the community. This phrase sets the stage for a teaching on humility and social conduct, reminding us that our presence in God's kingdom is by His gracious invitation, not by our merit.

to a wedding banquet
The term "wedding banquet" in Greek is "γάμος" (gamos), which refers to a marriage feast. Weddings in biblical times were deeply symbolic, representing the covenant relationship between God and His people. The imagery of a wedding banquet is often used in Scripture to depict the Messianic feast, the ultimate celebration of Christ's union with His Church. This context elevates the teaching beyond mere social etiquette to a spiritual principle about our place in God's eternal celebration.

do not sit
The instruction "do not sit" uses the Greek verb "κατακλίνω" (kataklinō), meaning to recline or take one's place at a table. In the cultural setting of the time, seating arrangements were a reflection of social hierarchy. Jesus' admonition here is a call to humility, urging His followers to resist the temptation to seek self-exaltation. This principle echoes throughout Scripture, where humility is consistently portrayed as a virtue that aligns us with God's will.

in the place of honor
The "place of honor" refers to the most prestigious seats at a banquet, often reserved for guests of high status. In Greek, this is "πρωτοκλισία" (prōtoklisia), literally meaning the first or chief seat. Jesus challenges the societal norms that equate worth with status, teaching that true honor comes from God. This reflects the biblical theme that God exalts the humble and humbles the proud, as seen in passages like James 4:10.

in case someone more distinguished than you
The phrase "more distinguished" translates from the Greek "ἐνδοξότερος" (endoxoteros), meaning more honorable or esteemed. This highlights the reality of social dynamics where others may be deemed more worthy of honor. Jesus' teaching here is a reminder of the transient nature of human accolades and the importance of valuing others above ourselves, as Paul writes in Philippians 2:3.

has been invited
The repetition of "invited" underscores the theme of divine invitation. The Greek "καλέω" (kaleō) again reminds us that our place in God's kingdom is not self-assigned but granted by His grace. This serves as a call to trust in God's sovereign arrangement of our lives, knowing that He places us exactly where we need to be for His purposes.

(8) Sit not down.--Literally, recline not.

Lest a more honourable man than thou . . .--The words imply that the common practice was for the guests to seat themselves; then, as in the parable of the wedding garment (Matthew 22:11), the host came in "to see the guests."

Verses 8, 9. - When thou art hidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room. The pretensions and conceit of the Jewish doctors of the Law had been for a long period intolerable. We have repeated examples in the Talmud of the exaggerated estimate these, the scholars and doctors of the Law, formed of themselves, and of the respect they exacted from all classes of the community. One can well imagine the grave displeasure with which the Divine Teacher looked upon this unholy frame of mind, and upon the miserable petty struggles which constantly were resulting from it. The expositors of the Law of God, the religious guides of the people, were setting an example of self-seeking, were showing what was their estimate of a fitting reward, what was the crown of learning which they coveted - the first seats at a banquet, the title of respect and honour! How the Lord - the very essence of whose teaching was self-surrender and self-sacrifice - must have mourned over such pitiful exhibitions of weakness shown by the men who claimed to sit in Moses' seat! Lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him; and he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place. As an instance of such unseemly contention, Dr. Farrar quotes from the Talmud how, "at a banquet of King Alexander Jannaeus, the rabbi Simeon ben Shetach, in spite of the presence of some great Persian satraps, had thrust himself at table between the king and queen, and when rebuked for his intrusion quoted in his defence Ecclus. 15:5, 'Exalt wisdom, and She... shall make thee sit among princes.'"

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
“When
Ὅταν (Hotan)
Conjunction
Strong's 3752: When, whenever. From hote and an; whenever; also causatively inasmuch as.

you are invited
κληθῇς (klēthēs)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2564: (a) I call, summon, invite, (b) I call, name. Akin to the base of keleuo; to 'call'.

to
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

a wedding banquet,
γάμους (gamous)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1062: A marriage, wedding, wedding-ceremony; plur: a wedding-feast. Of uncertain affinity; nuptials.

{do} not
μὴ (mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.

sit
κατακλιθῇς (kataklithēs)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2625: From kata and klino; to recline down, i.e. to take a place at table.

in
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

place of honor,
πρωτοκλισίαν (prōtoklisian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4411: From protos and klisia; a reclining first at the dinner-bed, i.e. Preeminence at meals.

in case
μή‿ (mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.

[someone] more distinguished
ἐντιμότερός (entimoteros)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular - Comparative
Strong's 1784: (held precious, hence) precious, honored, honorable in rank. From en and time; valued.

than you
σου (sou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

has been
(ē)
Verb - Present Subjunctive 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.

invited.
κεκλημένος (keklēmenos)
Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2564: (a) I call, summon, invite, (b) I call, name. Akin to the base of keleuo; to 'call'.


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