Luke 14 · a question people ask

Who are the man who made the great supper, the guests who made excuses, and those who were brought in?

In the text

Luke doesn't say, and tells of no explanation. Jesus tells the story to one of those at the table, who had said, "Blessed is he who will feast in God’s Kingdom!" (14:15): "But he said to him, “A certain man made a great supper, and he invited many people." (14:16). Those first invited "all as one began to make excuses" (14:18), the poor, maimed, blind and lame are brought in (14:21), and the story ends with the lord's words: "For I tell you that none of those men who were invited will taste of my supper. For many are called, but few are chosen." (14:24). Luke tells nothing of what the man at the table said next. These notes don't say who the man, the servant, the guests who made excuses or those brought in are, and make the story a verdict on no people, then or now.

From Favor's study of Luke 14

Luke 14: A great supper

At one table Jesus speaks in turn to the guests about where to sit (14:7-11), to his host about whom to invite (14:12-14), and to one guest with a story of a great supper (14:15-24), and one word, invited, runs through all three. Then, to the great multitudes going with him, he says three times, "can’t be my disciple" (14:26, 14:27, 14:33).

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Last reviewed October 2, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions