Luke 14:27Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He means not that we should place a beam of wood on our shoulders, but that we should ever have death before our eyes. As also Paul died daily and despised death. (1 Cor. 15:31.)

For because many of those that accompanied Him followed not with their whole heart, but lukewarmly, He shews what kind of a man his disciple ought to be.

But life must not be renounced, which both in the body and the soul the blessed Paul also preserved, that yet living in the body he might preach Christ. But when it was necessary to despise life so that he might finish his course, he counts not his life dear unto him. (Acts 20:24.)

By bearing the cross also he announced the death of his Lord, saying, The world is crucified to me, and I to the world, (Gal. 6:14.) which we also anticipate at our very baptism, in which our old man is crucified, that the body of sin may be destroyed.

For if for thy sake the Lord renounces His own mother, saying, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? (Matt. 12:48, Mark 3:33.) why dost thou deserve to be preferred to thy Lord? But the Lord will have us neither be ignorant of nature, nor be her slaves, but so to submit to nature, that we reverence the Author of nature, and depart not from God out of love to our parents.

He who does not remember his own death. For through the cross, He highlighted death, since the means of death was indeed the cross, as also noted in the thirty-third chapter of the Gospel of Matthew. He who does not embrace his own fasting, specifically the fasting of his body in relation to earthly pleasures. And because turning away from a life of indulgence leads to a challenging path, He offers comfort and exemplifies that anyone wishing to follow Him must be ready to face every trial. For it is written, “If thou art come to serve the Lord God, prepare thine soul for temptation” (Sir 2:1).

The mind is kindled, when it hears of heavenly rewards, and already desires to be there, where it hopes to enjoy them without ceasing; but great rewards cannot be reached except by great labours. Therefore it is said, And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned to them, and said, &c.

The Lord clearly communicated the essential truth regarding the need for total self-denial, a message that was especially crucial given that while the Pharisees opposed Him vehemently, the ordinary people were likely to follow their own misguided notions of what the Messiah should be. Anyone unwilling to forsake all familial ties for the sake of the Gospel, or to willingly carry his cross for Christ, cannot consider himself His disciple. Just as those preparing for battle assess their forces to ensure they can complete their mission without retreating, so too must individuals evaluate their capacity to make the sacrifices necessary for the kingdom of God. The Lord will acknowledge only those who are ready to make these sacrifices as His true disciples.

This section, following a historical overview, begins with a direct call to the people regarding self-denial, followed by two parables: one about the individual who sets out to build a tower and another concerning a king preparing for battle. Finally, it includes a saying about salt. The exhortation to self-denial is presented in language similar to that found in Matthew during Christ’s instructions to His apostles as He sent them forth to preach. Given the various descriptions used by the Evangelists for the audience of this teaching, it is likely that Christ was reiterating to the gathered crowd what He had previously communicated solely to the apostles.

Authentic love for Christ necessitates that one prioritize Him above family and friends (Matt. 10:37), or to caution and safeguard oneself from those who might lead one away from Him. While it is important to "Honour and love your parents, care for them in their old age, obey them," it is crucial that one does not yield to their demands if they compel you to violate His commandments. If your affection for your father leads you to disregard my commandments in order to demonstrate your love for him, you are unworthy of me. Furthermore, if you cannot endure the trials and tribulations that God intends for you, if you do not take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of me.

In conclusion, to bring them solace, He expressed that they should embody His presence in the world; that those who welcomed them would be welcoming Him; that sacrificing one's life for His sake held greater significance than merely preserving it; and that even a cup of cold water offered to the least of His followers would be rewarded in the kingdom of heaven.

“He who does not take up his cross,” etc.: refer to Matthew 10:38 for additional context. The Lord reinforces the call to self-denial for those who follow Him through a collection of proverbs drawn from ordinary experiences: concerning the individual who wishes to construct a tower (Luke 14:28-30), regarding the conflict between two rulers (Luke 14:31-32), and about salt (Luke 14:34-35). As with all peripheral sayings, not every detail is crucial; what truly matters is the intention behind these sayings and their overarching message.

At the conclusion of the feast, the Savior departed from the Pharisee's residence and continued on His journey, with a throng of individuals eager to receive words of spiritual insight. However, the one who knows the depths of the human heart recognized that this assembly, drawn by mere curiosity, lacked a true comprehension of what it means to be a genuine disciple of the Gospel. Cautioning the crowd against fleeting and overly precious attachments to worldly matters and hasty commitments, the Lord emphasized that undivided devotion to Him demands total self-denial. In the words of St.