For which of you, having a mind to build a tower, doth not first sit down and reckon the charges that are necessary, whether he have wherewithal to finish it:
τις γαρ εξ υμων ο θελων πυργον οικοδομησαι ουχι πρωτον καθισας ψηφιζει την δαπανην ει εχει τα εις προς απαρτισμον
11 Church Fathers comment on this verse
In the parable of the tower, the Lord imparts a lesson that once we commit to following Him, we must truly uphold that commitment and not merely establish a superficial ‘foundation.’ This means we should earnestly pursue our faith without falling short or abandoning our journey due to a lack of adequate preparation and perseverance. This reflects the situation described by John the Evangelist, who notes, ‘many of His disciples departed from Him’ (John 6:66).
He continues by providing two illustrations to inspire unyielding perseverance among His followers and to strengthen the unwavering commitment of those striving for honor through patience and steadfastness. "For if," He states, "anyone intends to build a tower, he first assesses whether he has the resources necessary to complete it; otherwise, after laying the foundation, he may not be able to finish, leading people to mock him." Those seeking a life of glory and integrity must cultivate a fervor suitable for that pursuit and bear in mind the one who advises, "My son, if you are drawing near to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for every trial: straighten your heart and endure." But for those lacking this fervor, how will they ever reach the goal set before them?
A poignant reminder calls us to remain alert in our defenses, urging us to construct a stronghold from which we can observe and ward off the adversary of eternal salvation. The call of the heavenly trumpet summons Christ's soldier to engage in battle, yet his mother, who lacks full belief, attempts to deter him. What reasons might she present? Perhaps she thinks of the months she carried him, the agony of childbirth, and her toil in nurturing him. This, indeed, must be overcome through the message of salvation, breaking these ties with her so that she may be led towards eternal life.
It is crucial to relinquish these earthly ties if you are to truly love her and embody the stronghold of Christ, ensuring that your foundation is secure enough that onlookers cannot remark, ‘This man began to build and could not complete it’ (Luke 14:30). All of this is but earthly inclination, aligning us with the old nature. Our Christian vocation bids us to overcome these worldly desires within ourselves and among those we encounter, yet never to the point where we show ingratitude to our parents or mock their countless contributions that enabled our very existence and sustenance. Rather, one should uphold respect and devotion in all aspects; obligations toward one’s parents should be honored unless a greater calling arises.
Like someone aiming to construct an earthly tower must first calculate the financial expenses, a person desiring to erect a spiritual edifice, that is, a life infused with virtues, should first assess their capacity to withstand temptations. By doing so, they will be better equipped to endure their challenges.
Although significant commandments are delivered, an immediate comparison to the elevation that one hopes to achieve is included. It is stated, "For whosoever of you, wishing to build a tower, shall not first sit down, and calculate the cost, whether he has what is necessary to make it, lest, when he has laid the foundation, and is not able to make it, all those who see it should laugh at him, saying, This man began to build, and could not finish it." We are called to thoughtfully consider our actions in advance. Indeed, according to the teachings of Truth, the one who constructs a tower makes arrangements for the expenses prior to beginning the work. Therefore, if we aspire to erect a pillar of humility, we must prepare ourselves beforehand for the challenges of this present age.
The distinction between worldly and heavenly construction lies in the fact that earthly endeavors involve gathering resources, while heavenly ventures entail the act of giving away possessions. For this purpose, we set aside resources, particularly when we do not have what we need ready at hand; similarly, we also gather a sum when we willingly relinquish what we possess. The wealthy man, who approached the Master inquiring, "Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?" (Matthew 19:16), could not manage this. Upon hearing the directive to relinquish all, he left sorrowful, constrained by the abundance he held. Due to his attachment to the allure of status in this life, he hesitated to invest in the cost of humility while seeking the eternal homeland.
Moreover, we must heed the words expressed because, as Paul states, "But I will come to you soon, if it please the Lord, and I will not test the words of those who are proud, but the power" (1 Cor. 4:9). In all our endeavors, we must also remain cognizant of the hidden adversaries who continually observe our actions, taking pleasure in our missteps. Reflecting on this, the Prophet declares, "My God, in Thee I trust, that I may not be ashamed forever, that my enemies may not triumph over me" (Psalm 24:2). As we engage in good works, we must be vigilant against malevolent spirits, knowing that those who incite us toward evil may mock us.
The Lord conveyed the vital truth regarding the need for total self-denial with clear expectations, particularly necessary because while the Pharisees opposed Him, the ordinary people were inclined to follow their own misguided concepts of the Messiah. Anyone unwilling to forsake all worldly attachments for the sake of the gospel and who is not ready to carry their cross for Jesus cannot be His disciple. Just as one must evaluate their resources before embarking on a venture, considering the strength needed for a battle to avoid abandoning the task midway, individuals must also reflect upon their readiness to make the sacrifices called for in the kingdom of the Messiah. Those who desire to be recognized as His followers must be prepared to embrace these challenges.
His disciples are called to be the salt of the earth; yet if salt loses its flavor, what use is it but to be discarded? Concluding this teaching, the Lord proclaimed, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
This passage, following a historical prelude, begins with a straightforward teaching on self-denial directed towards the people. It then presents two parables: the one about the person who aims to construct a tower and the king preparing for battle, followed by a brief reflection on salt. The instruction on self-denial closely mirrors the admonitions found in the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus imparts similar teachings to His disciples while sending them forth to preach. The differing ways the Evangelists reference those receiving this instruction suggest that Jesus reiterated His earlier messages to the apostles in front of the entire crowd. The parables associated with self-denial are unique to Luke, and their significance is clarified by Christ.
He states that anyone unwilling to let go of all that hinders their complete devotion to Him cannot truly follow Him. The discourse on salt is also drawn from the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, but here it is directed to the broader audience, identifying them as “salt.” The Jewish people are referred to as salt, akin to the apostles; however, while the apostles are the salt of the earth meant for all humanity, the people of Israel serve as the salt for the Gentiles, tasked with preserving the true faith in God, the Savior of humanity, and illuminating the world with this truth. Yet, this mission can only be fulfilled if they believe in the Savior who has come and become genuine followers of Him. Such faith is what qualifies them as the salt for the Gentile world. Without this essential quality, one must question their purpose and worth. It can also be understood that, at the conclusion of His instruction to the people, Jesus specifically emphasizes to His disciples the necessity of self-denial, since they are the salt of the earth.
The growing hardship in Palestine, exacerbated by the financial oppression imposed by the Romans and Herod's dynasty, is vividly illustrated in various passages of the Gospels. In Christ’s dialogues, there is a continuous mention of debtors, creditors, and imprisonment. This chaotic system, which was gradually undermining the empire as a whole, took a particularly heavy toll on the agrarian society of the Jews. Many constructions remained incomplete due to a lack of resources (Luke 14:29). These themes repeatedly reflect the dire circumstances faced by the Jewish community under Roman authority, which worsened increasingly during the later years of Christ’s earthly existence, culminating in a significant financial crisis that erupted across the empire five years after the crucifixion.
Beyond the urban areas, the stark white stones of countless burial sites were visible (Matt. 7:25, Matt. 23:27, Luke 12:17-18, Luke 14:30, Mark 9:42).
"Who among you?" The line of reasoning here is that one who does not demonstrate acts of self-denial cannot truly claim to be My disciple. Such a person is unable to engage in the profound and challenging endeavor of discipleship, similar to someone trying to construct a tower without first assessing the resources available to them. If they are unable to complete the project, they will become a subject of scorn. In the same manner, anyone who chooses to follow Me without embodying selflessness will not genuinely be My follower, ending up in a state of in-between, possibly becoming the target of derision (John 6:66).
Thus, those who are committed to being My disciples must carefully consider the resources necessary to fulfill this calling and cultivate them, which fundamentally involve self-denial. The analogy of "building a tower" refers to a grand and expensive structure, possibly alluding to the Tower of Babel (Gen. 11:1-9). The essence of this entire statement underscores the gravity of the commitment required.
A devoted commitment to Christ, along with the readiness to endure all sacrifices and hardships for His glory, holds significant importance and demands careful consideration and personal reflection. Similar to how challenging endeavors—like constructing a tall building or engaging in a conflict with an adversary—are approached only after evaluating one's resources and capabilities, one must also contemplate the effort required for faith. Who among you, when intending to erect a structure, would not assess his resources beforehand to ensure he can complete it? Nobody wants to lay a foundation only to find himself unable to finish, leading onlookers to scorn him for beginning a project he cannot complete.
Likewise, what king, intent on engaging another in battle, does not first assess whether he has the strength to face an army of ten thousand against one of twelve thousand? If he finds himself lacking, he remains distant, trusting in prayer and seeking humility.
As St. Basil the Great points out, the purpose of the Lord in these illustrations is not to compel us to cast aside all our possessions—those things that hinder our journey of following Christ—but rather to emphasize that one cannot truly serve God while being distracted by mental trivialities that leave the soul vulnerable to the temptations of the enemy, ultimately rendering it a subject of mockery for failing to act on what it claims to pursue.
In the sermon on the mount, our Savior referred to His followers as the salt of the earth (Mt. 5:13) and later urged them to maintain that salt within themselves (Mk. 9:50). He clarified that salt, when stripped of its essential qualities, becomes worthless. In this same way, His disciples, lacking the self-denial required of them, are unable to effectuate the moral renewal needed in a world steeped in corruption. "Good is salt: but if salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men." He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
In this parable, the Lord is conveying to His disciples the importance of being prepared to make various sacrifices for our salvation. What does the term pillar or building signify? It represents the foundation of our salvation. What lesson can we learn from the shrewd and calculating builder? It teaches us the necessity of thoughtful consideration before undertaking the journey of salvation, evaluating our resources and capabilities. Who is it that begins the work of salvation by merely laying a foundation but does not complete the edifice? These are individuals who accept the faith in Christ, heed the teachings of God, participate in the sacraments of the Church, and carry out some basic Christian obligations—actions that may require little effort or sacrifice.
However, when faced with challenges in their spiritual endeavors or when they are called upon to make significant sacrifices, they often falter and abandon their commitments. What is the fate of such individuals? They will face shame among their peers, derision from adversaries, particularly those hostile to salvation, who find delight when believers neglect their spiritual duties, culminating in disgrace at the divine judgment. What is necessary for the completion of the salvific work? It calls for complete dedication to God, respectful contemplation of the truths of the Christian faith, steadfastness in virtuous actions, self-denial, and fervent prayers for divine assistance to fulfill our salvation. This parable highlights the need for careful consideration and prudence on the part of Christ's followers when making personal vows, such as acts of charity, abstinence, or pilgrimages to sacred sites. We ought to thoroughly reflect on our ability to keep a vow before making it and, once we have vowed, exert every effort to honor it.
The Scripture illustrates the parable of the building: "Every one that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, who built his house upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the rivers came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house: and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And whosoever heareth these words of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: and the rain descended, and the rivers came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it." (Matthew 7:24-27)
"Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no depth of earth: and when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away." (Matthew 13:5-6)
"But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed." (James 1:6)
"If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." (Matthew 16:24)
"And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." (Galatians 5:24)
"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10:23-25)
"When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay." (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5)
Passages read together with this verse.
Greek text, 17 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS