Luke 14:7

On Seeking Seats of Honor

14:7 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,

Luke 20:46

20:46 “Beware ⁵  of the experts in the law. ⁶  They ⁷  like walking around in long robes, and they love elaborate greetings ⁸  in the marketplaces and the best seats ⁹  in the synagogues ¹⁰  and the places of honor at banquets.

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 “Be on guard against.” This is a present imperative and indicates that pride is something to constantly be on the watch against.

⁶ tn Or “of the scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 5:21.

⁷ tn Grk “who,” continuing the sentence begun by the prior phrase.

⁸ sn There is later Jewish material in the Talmud that spells out such greetings in detail. See D. L. Bock, Luke (BECNT), 2:1642; H. Windisch, TDNT 1:498.

⁹ sn See Luke 14:1-14.

¹⁰ sn See the note on synagogues in 4:15.