Luke 14:1-17 ▼

1 One Sabbath, Jesus went to eat in the home of a leading Pharisee, and those in attendance were watching Him closely.

2 Right there before Him was a man with dropsy.

3 So Jesus asked the experts in the law and the Pharisees, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?”

4 But they remained silent. Then Jesus took hold of the man, healed him, and sent him on his way.

5 And He asked them, “Which of you whose son or ox falls into a pit on the Sabbath day will not immediately pull him out?”

6 And they were unable to answer these questions.

7 When 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.

9 Then 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.

10 But when you are invited, go and sit in the last place, so that your host will come and tell you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in front of everyone at the table with you.

11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

12 Then Jesus said to the man who had invited Him, “When you host a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or brothers or relatives or rich neighbors. Otherwise, they may invite you in return, and you will be repaid.

13 But when you host a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind,

14 and you will be blessed. Since they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

15 When one of those reclining with Him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is everyone who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.”

16 But Jesus replied, “A certain man prepared a great banquet and invited many guests.

17 When it was time for the banquet, he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’