Luke 14:1-6 - The Lament For Those Who "would Not"
Our Lord was at that time in Perea, in the jurisdiction of Herod, who probably desired to get rid of Him, lest His presence should introduce political complications. Our Lord saw through and exposed his stratagem. How awful to be read by the light of divine purity! He also kept His eye on heaven's dial-plate, and knew that He was immortal till His work was done.
Jerusalem was clearly indicated as the scene of His death; and the city was already so deeply dyed with martyr blood that it would hardly have been congruous for Him to suffer anywhere else. Note that pathetic wail of disappointed love. God's brooding love desires to interpose between us and the hovering peril; but we have the awful power to neglect or reject the covering wings of the Shechinah. See Ruth 2:12 and Psalms 91:4.
In Luke 14:1-6 we have a specimen of Christ's table-talk, which He continues through the Luke 14:24. Though He knew that He was being watched, nothing could stanch His power and love. If men care for their beasts, how much more will Christ care for men! [source]
Chapter Summary: Luke 14
1Jesus heals the dropsy on the Sabbath; 7teaches humility; 12to feast the poor; 15under the parable of the great supper, 23shows how worldly minded men shall be shut out of heaven 25Those who will be his disciples, to bear their cross must make their accounts beforehand, 31lest with shame they revolt from him afterward; 34and become altogether unprofitable, like salt that has lost its flavor
Greek Commentary for Luke 14:6
Could not answer again [ουκ ισχυσαν ανταποκριτηναι] Did not have strength to answer back or in turn (αντι anti -) as in Romans 9:20. They could not take up the argument and were helpless. They hated to admit that they cared more for an ox or ass or even a son than for this poor dropsical man. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Luke 14:6
Romans 9:20That repliest [ὁ ἀνταποκρινόμενος] Only here and Luke 14:6. Lit., to contradict in reply: to answer by contradicting. Thus, in the case of the dropsical man (Luke 14), Jesus answered ( ἀποκριθεὶς ) the thought in the minds of the lawyers and Pharisees by asking, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” Then He asked, “Who of you would refuse on the Sabbath to extricate his beast from the pit into which it has fallen?” And they were unable to answer Him in reply: to answer by contradicting Him. So here, the word signifies to reply to an answer which God had already given, and implies, as Godet observes, the spirit of contention. [source]
Greek Commentary for Luke 14:6
Did not have strength to answer back or in turn (αντι anti -) as in Romans 9:20. They could not take up the argument and were helpless. They hated to admit that they cared more for an ox or ass or even a son than for this poor dropsical man. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Luke 14:6
Only here and Luke 14:6. Lit., to contradict in reply: to answer by contradicting. Thus, in the case of the dropsical man (Luke 14), Jesus answered ( ἀποκριθεὶς ) the thought in the minds of the lawyers and Pharisees by asking, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” Then He asked, “Who of you would refuse on the Sabbath to extricate his beast from the pit into which it has fallen?” And they were unable to answer Him in reply: to answer by contradicting Him. So here, the word signifies to reply to an answer which God had already given, and implies, as Godet observes, the spirit of contention. [source]