Luke 14:9
And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.
Luke 14:9 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse, Jesus is teaching a lesson in humility and selflessness. He advises his listeners to not seek the places of honor at banquets, but rather to take the lowest seat and allow someone else to choose to honor them. By doing so, they avoid the embarrassment of being asked to move down to a lower position. This verse emphasizes the importance of humility and not seeking recognition for oneself. It teaches us to be humble and put others before ourselves, rather than seeking our own glory. Jesus is encouraging his followers to be selfless and to treat others with respect and honor. By taking the lowest place, we show humility and allow others to honor us if they choose. This verse serves as a reminder to always act with humility and to put others before ourselves.
Theological Overview
The verse from Luke 14:9 provides valuable insights into the theological concept of humility and the importance of humbling oneself before others. In this verse, Jesus is teaching a lesson on humility by illustrating the consequences of prideful behavior. The act of taking the lowest room at a gathering signifies a display of humility and respect for others. It teaches us that instead of seeking recognition and exaltation, we should be willing to humble ourselves and serve others. The word "shame" used in the verse highlights the discomfort and embarrassment that come from prideful actions, emphasizing the negative consequences of seeking self-importance. Through this verse, Jesus encourages us to embody a spirit of humility, to prioritize others above ourselves, and to avoid seeking recognition and honor for our actions.
Luke 14:9 in other translations
American Standard Version
and he that bade thee and him shall come and say to thee, Give this man place; and then thou shalt begin with shame to take the lowest place.
World English Bible
and he who invited both of you would come and tell you, ‘Make room for this person.’ Then you would begin, with shame, to take the lowest place.
Douay-Rheims
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.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And he that bade both him and thee, come, and say to thee, Giue this man roome, and thou then begin with shame to take the lowest roome.