And he that invited thee and him, come and say to thee: Give this man place. And then thou begin with shame to take the lowest place.
και ελθων ο σε και αυτον καλεσας ερει σοι δος τουτω τοπον και τοτε αρξη μετ αισχυνης τον εσχατον τοπον κατεχειν
10 Church Fathers comment on this verse · 11 commentaries
Consider the ridicule from which He rescues humanity, and the way He instructs us in propriety. There is great embarrassment when one assumes a position that is unbefitting, only to be surpassed in honor by another; then, the one who invited you may declare: ‘Make room for him!’ Such situations can arise frequently. You will find yourself yielding, and others will take a higher seat.
Oh! What a shame it is to engage in such an act! It resembles theft, in a sense, as if one is reclaiming what has been unjustly taken. He must restore what he has seized, for he had no entitlement to possess it.
Humility is exemplified in the words of Christ: "When you are invited to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited, and the host who invited you both will come and say to you, 'Give your place to this man'" (Luke 14:8-9). What a profound disgrace it is to find oneself in such a situation! It resembles taking what does not belong to you and then returning it. One must relinquish what he improperly claims, as he has no rightful entitlement to it. A truly humble and honorable individual is untroubled by the thought of being accused of usurping a prominent position because he does not aspire to it. He willingly yields what is justly his to others, and no one will conceive of him as proud.
Such a person ultimately receives the honor he rightfully merits. Christ continues, "But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher'" (Luke 14:10). If anyone desires to occupy a higher position than others, let him strive for it through divine commendation and seek to surpass others by cultivating a reputation for noble virtues. A hallmark of true virtue is a modest spirit that does not seek to boast.
Next, the concept of humility is addressed, as illustrated in the parable of the marriage feast (see Luke 14:7-11). Here, the desire for a position of honor is discouraged, emphasizing that gentle encouragement should replace harsh enforcement, as the act of persuasion opens the heart while teaching guides the mind toward correction. In alignment with the teachings of Christ, this idea extends to the compassion shown towards the less fortunate and the needy. Offering hospitality to those who are unable to return the favor reflects genuine generosity, while seeking favor from those who can reciprocate aligns with a mindset of avarice.
He encourages them to refrain from seeking honor too eagerly and to avoid elevating themselves above others. Through the use of a parable, He conveys this message gently, as is typical of parabolic teachings. By likening the invitation to the wedding feast, He underscores that being invited to a wedding is perceived as a greater honor than being invited to a meal.
The assembly showcased clear signs of Pharisaic arrogance and self-importance. None of the attendees were willing to yield to another whom they deemed lesser. They held onto their pride, believing themselves deserving of the foremost positions in the kingdom of the Messiah. Meanwhile, these gatherings were mere opportunities to gratify one another; the Pharisees engaged in such exchanges without considering that these resources could have been better utilized to aid the needy. Their lack of humility and devotion, as displayed in their everyday lives, kept them away from the kingdom of God. In this context, the Lord chose this matter to convey His teachings within the company of the Pharisees.
Observing how the attendees positioned themselves, each vying for a spot at the table that was nearer to the host and more prestigious, Christ imparted a lesson urging individuals not to seek the foremost seat at gatherings. This teaching carries a profound spiritual significance relating to the ethical realm and the moral awareness of humanity; “everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (cf. Lk. 18:14; Mt. 23:12).
The parable of the invited guests reveals a scene where the attendees eagerly sought seats near the host, as these positions were reserved for the most esteemed individuals. Observing their ambition to elevate themselves above others, Jesus advised against assuming the most prominent places, urging them instead to wait for an invitation from the host. A grave misfortune awaits those who view themselves as superior and seek to be first in every situation: when someone more honorable arrives, the host will require the self-important person to relinquish their seat, leading to their embarrassment as they are humbled to a lesser position.
For it is written, "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." The challenge of a sinful person discerning their own life accurately is profound, as self-love often provides misleading justifications for wrongdoing, while pride magnifies seemingly good deeds. Many, like the Pharisee, may envision themselves as distinct from others, and this self-perception can blind them to their faults, obstructing true introspection. Ultimately, the proud individual who seeks the spotlight will face shame when, at the final judgment, they are assigned to their rightful, lesser place. To avert such a disheartening fate, Christ calls us to embrace humility and self-lowering, assuring us that those who do not lift themselves up will, in turn, be elevated.
The final miracle took place in the residence of a Pharisee leader who invited Jesus Christ to share a meal, primarily to observe Him. However, the Lord's perception of the guests was far more insightful than their scrutiny of Him. He observed how the invited guests, driven by their usual small ambitions, sought the places of highest honor at the table. In contrast, the Saviour presented a more prudent and beneficial principle of humility, which included a profound lesson on spiritual cultivation.
Just as in earthly society, an arrogant, self-serving individual should always anticipate a strong reprimand and may be compelled to yield to those of more humble worth, so too in the kingdom of heaven, “everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
You will feel embarrassed because, by choosing to elevate yourself above others, you demonstrate, as even the Pharisees acknowledge, a perceived superiority. Consequently, you will be required to prove publicly that such superiority is unwarranted. The term 'last' implies being regarded as lesser than the position one previously held.
As the invitation to the feast was sent, those summoned gathered, and the Pharisees, who preferred the places of honor at banquets, rushed to secure the best seats. This self-serving attitude, stemming from their perceived righteousness, prompted the Lord to issue a thoughtful warning to the attendees: ‘When you are invited to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for someone more esteemed than you may have been invited. If so, the one who invited you both will come and say to you, “Give this man your seat,” and you will begin with shame to take the lowest place.
But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, “Friend, move up higher”—and you will be honored in the presence of all the guests.’ Aiming to instill a sense of humility within the Pharisees, the Savior sought to convey to His followers that true greatness is found in humility and self-effacement, thus adding: ‘For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.’
The master of the feast, who had made a careful and self-serving selection of his guests, was also given perspective. Among the family, friends, and affluent neighbors he had invited, he left no room for the poor, sick man whom the Lord had healed. The Pharisees, who looked down upon the disadvantaged and the downtrodden, rejected the fellowship with those lacking wealth or status. The compassionate Savior, whom tax collectors and sinners flocked to, was viewed as a figure who welcomed the most marginalized. To the host, He advised: ‘When you host a meal or a banquet, do not invite just your friends, or your relatives, or your rich neighbors, for fear they may invite you back and you will be repaid. Instead, when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.’ In this teaching, sharing a meal with those in need is imbued with moral significance and becomes a virtue rewarded in heaven. The essence of this guidance mirrors the teachings delivered in the Sermon on the Mount, emphasizing the complete selflessness expected in Christian love.
Passages read together with this verse.
Greek text, 21 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS