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Selected Verse: Luke 14:28 - King James
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Lu 14:28 |
King James |
For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
| which of you, &c.--Common sense teaches men not to begin any costly work without first seeing that they have wherewithal to finish. And he who does otherwise exposes himself to general ridicule. Nor will any wise potentate enter on a war with any hostile power without first seeing to it that, despite formidable odds (two to one), he be able to stand his ground; and if he has no hope of this, he will feel that nothing remains for him but to make the best terms he can. Even so, says our Lord, "in the warfare you will each have to wage as My disciples, despise not your enemy's strength, for the odds are all against you; and you had better see to it that, despite every disadvantage, you still have wherewithal to hold out and win the day, or else not begin at all, and make the best you can in such awful circumstances." In this simple sense of the parable (STIER, ALFORD, &c., go wide of the mark here in making the enemy to be God, because of the "conditions of peace," Luk 14:32), two things are taught: (1) Better not begin (Rev 3:15), than begin and not finish. (2) Though the contest for salvation be on our part an awfully unequal one, the human will, in the exercise of that "faith which overcometh the world" (Jo1 5:4), and nerved by power from above, which "out of weakness makes it strong" (Heb 11:34; Pe1 1:5), becomes heroical and will come off "more than conqueror." But without absolute surrender of self the contest is hopeless (Luk 14:33). |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
Intending to build a tower - See Mat 21:33. A tower was a place of defense or observation, erected on high places or in vineyards, to guard against enemies. It was made "high," so as to enable one to see an enemy when he approached; and "strong," so that it could not be easily taken.
Counteth the cost - Makes a calculation how much it will cost to build it. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
A tower
The subject of the parable is the life of Christian discipleship, which is figured by a tower, a lofty structure, as something distinguished from the world and attracting attention.
Counteth (ψηφίζει)
Only here and Rev 13:18. From ψῆφος, a pebble (see Rev 2:17), used as a counter. Thus Herodotus says that the Egyptians, when they calculate (λογιζονται ψήφοις, reckon with pebbles), move their hand from right to left (ii., 36). So Aristophanes, "Reckon roughly, not with pebbles (ψήφοις), but on the hand" ("Wasps," 656). Similarly calculate, from Latin calculus, a pebble. Used also of voting. Thus Herodotus: "The Greeks met at the altar of Neptune, and took the ballots (τὰς ψήφοις) wherewith they were to give their votes." Plato: "And you, would you vote (ἂν ψῆφον θεῖο, cast your pebble) with me or against me ?" ("Protagoras," 330). See Act 26:10.
Cost (τὴν δαπάνην)
Allied to δάπτω, to devour. Hence expense, as something which eats up resources.
Sufficient (εἰς ἀπαρτισμόν)
Lit., unto completion. The kindred verb ἀπαρτίζω, not used in New Testament, means to make even or square, and hence to complete. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| And which of you intending to build a tower - That is, and whoever of you intends to follow me, let him first seriously weigh these things. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
To build a tower - Probably this means no more than a dwelling house, on the top of which, according to the Asiatic manner, battlements were built, both to take the fresh air on, and to serve for refuge from and defense against an enemy. It was also used for prayer and meditation.
This parable represents the absurdity of those who undertook to be disciples of Christ, without considering what difficulties they were to meet with, and what strength they had to enable them to go through with the undertaking. He that will be a true disciple of Jesus Christ shall require no less than the mighty power of God to support him; as both hell and earth will unite to destroy him. |
33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
33 Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:
10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.
17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.