Discovery BoxLuke 14:7-11 
Context14:7 Then 1 when Jesus 2 noticed how the guests 3 chose the places of honor, 4 he told them a parable. He said to them, 14:8 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, 5 do not take 6 the place of honor, because a person more distinguished than you may have been invited by your host. 7 14:9 So 8 the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this man your place.’ Then, ashamed, 9 you will begin to move to the least important 10 place. 14:10 But when you are invited, go and take the least important place, so that when your host 11 approaches he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up here to a better place.’ 12 Then you will be honored in the presence of all who share the meal with you. 14:11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but 13 the one who humbles 14 himself will be exalted.”
1 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
2 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
3 tn Grk “those who were invited.”
4 tn Or “the best places.” The “places of honor” at the meal would be those closest to the host.
5 tn Or “banquet.” This may not refer only to a wedding feast, because this term can have broader sense (note the usage in Esth 2:18; 9:22 LXX). However, this difference does not affect the point of the parable.
6 tn Grk “do not recline in the place of honor.” 1st century middle eastern meals were not eaten while sitting at a table, but while reclining on one’s side on the floor with the head closest to the low table and the feet farthest away.
7 tn Grk “by him”; the referent (the host) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
8 tn Grk “host, and.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate this action is a result of the situation described in the previous verse. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
9 tn Or “then in disgrace”; Grk “with shame.” In this culture avoiding shame was important.
10 tn Grk “lowest place” (also in the repetition of the phrase in the next verse).
11 tn Grk “the one who invited you.”
12 tn Grk “Go up higher.” This means to move to a more important place.
13 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context, which involves the reversal of expected roles.
14 sn The point of the statement the one who humbles himself will be exalted is humility and the reversal imagery used to underline it is common: Luke 1:52-53; 6:21; 10:15; 18:14.
