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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Luke 14:28 Which of you, wishing to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost to see if he has the resources to complete it?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/luke/14-28.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/42_Luk_14_28.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Luke 14:28 - The Cost of Discipleship" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Which of you, wishing to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost to see if he has the resources to complete it?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/luke/14-28.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/luke/14-28.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/luke/">Luke</a> > <a href="/luke/14.htm">Chapter 14</a> > Verse 28</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/luke/14-27.htm" title="Luke 14:27">◄</a> Luke 14:28 <a href="/luke/14-29.htm" title="Luke 14:29">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/luke/14.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/luke/14.htm">New International Version</a> &#8220Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won&#8217t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? <a href="/nlt/luke/14.htm">New Living Translation</a> “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? <a href="/esv/luke/14.htm">English Standard Version</a> For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? <a href="/bsb/luke/14.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Which of you, wishing to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost to see if he has the resources to complete it? <a href="/blb/luke/14.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first, having sat down, count the cost, whether he has enough for its completion? <a href="/kjv/luke/14.htm">King James Bible</a> For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? <a href="/nkjv/luke/14.htm">New King James Version</a> For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— <a href="/nasb_/luke/14.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it? <a href="/nasb/luke/14.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? <a href="/nasb77/luke/14.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it? <a href="/lsb/luke/14.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? <a href="/amp/luke/14.htm">Amplified Bible</a> For which one of you, when he wants to build a watchtower [for his guards], does not first sit down and calculate the cost, to see if he has enough to finish it? <a href="/csb/luke/14.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “For which of you, wanting to build a tower, doesn’t first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? <a href="/hcsb/luke/14.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> &#8220For which of you, wanting to build a tower, doesn&#8217t first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? <a href="/asv/luke/14.htm">American Standard Version</a> For which of you, desiring to build a tower, doth not first sit down and count the cost, whether he have wherewith to complete it? <a href="/cev/luke/14.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. What is the first thing you will do? Won't you sit down and figure out how much it will cost and if you have enough money to pay for it? <a href="/erv/luke/14.htm">English Revised Version</a> For which of you, desiring to build a tower, doth not first sit down and count the cost, whether he have wherewith to complete it? <a href="/gwt/luke/14.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "Suppose you want to build a tower. You would first sit down and figure out what it costs. Then you would see if you have enough money to finish it. <a href="/gnt/luke/14.htm">Good News Translation</a> If one of you is planning to build a tower, you sit down first and figure out what it will cost, to see if you have enough money to finish the job. <a href="/isv/luke/14.htm">International Standard Version</a> "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. He will first sit down and estimate the cost to see whether he has enough money to finish it, won't he? <a href="/msb/luke/14.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Which of you, wishing to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost to see if he has the resources to complete it? <a href="/net/luke/14.htm">NET Bible</a> For which of you, wanting to build a tower, doesn't sit down first and compute the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? <a href="/nheb/luke/14.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it? <a href="/wbt/luke/14.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> For which of you intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he hath sufficient to finish it? <a href="/wey/luke/14.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "Which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not sit down first and calculate the cost, asking if he has the means to finish it? -- <a href="/web/luke/14.htm">World English Bible</a> For which of you, desiring to build a tower, doesn’t first sit down and count the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it? <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/luke/14.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> For who of you, willing to build a tower, does not first, having sat down, count the expense, whether he has the things for completing? <a href="/blb/luke/14.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first, having sat down, count the cost, whether he has enough for its completion? <a href="/ylt/luke/14.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 'For who of you, willing to build a tower, doth not first, having sat down, count the expence, whether he have the things for completing? <a href="/slt/luke/14.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> For which of you, wishing to build a tower, not first, having sat down, calculates the expense, if he have things for completion?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/luke/14.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> For which of you having a mind to build a tower, doth not first sit down, and reckon the charges that are necessary, whether he have wherewithal to finish it: <a href="/cpdv/luke/14.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> For who among you, wanting to build a tower, would not first sit down and determine the costs that are required, to see if he has the means to complete it? <a href="/nabre/luke/14.htm">New American Bible</a> Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? <a href="/nrsvce/luke/14.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it?<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/luke/14.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> For which of you, who wishes to build a tower, does not at first sit down and consider its cost, to see if he has enough to finish it? <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/luke/14.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “For who among you, who wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate its cost, if he is able to finish it,”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/luke/14.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down, and count the cost, whether he has the means to finish it? <a href="/godbey/luke/14.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>For which one of you, wishing to build a tower, does not first sitting down count the cost; if he has unto sufficiency?<Fr> <a href="/haweis/luke/14.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> For what man of you designing to erect a tower, doth not first sitting down calculate the expence, if he have sufficient to complete the work? <a href="/mace/luke/14.htm">Mace New Testament</a> for who of you would resolve to build a tower, without taking the trouble first of all to compute the expence, and whether he is able to finish it? <a href="/wey/luke/14.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "Which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not sit down first and calculate the cost, asking if he has the means to finish it? -- <a href="/worrell/luke/14.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>For who of you, wishing to build a tower, does not, first, sitting down, calculate the expense, whether he has enough for its completion?<Fr> <a href="/worsley/luke/14.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>For who of you that hath a mind to build a tower does not first sit down and calculate the expence, whether he hath <Fr>wherewithal<FR> to perfect <Fr>it? <a href="/parallel/luke/14-28.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3-5_0Jtd9Lc?start=6074" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/luke/14.htm">The Cost of Discipleship</a> …27And whoever does not carry his cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple. 28<a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason."></a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: Tis (IPro-NMS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">Which</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ex (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">of</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymōn (PPro-G2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you,</a> <a href="/greek/2309.htm" title="2309: thelōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design. ">wishing</a> <a href="/greek/3618.htm" title="3618: oikodomēsai (V-ANA) -- From the same as oikodome; to be a house-builder, i.e. Construct or confirm.">to build</a> <a href="/greek/4444.htm" title="4444: pyrgon (N-AMS) -- A tower, fortified structure. Apparently a primary word; a tower or castle.">a tower,</a> <a href="/greek/3780.htm" title="3780: ouchi (IntPrtcl) -- By no means, not at all. Intensive of ou; not indeed.">does not</a> <a href="/greek/4412.htm" title="4412: prōton (Adv-S) -- First, in the first place, before, formerly. Neuter of protos as adverb; firstly.">first</a> <a href="/greek/2523.htm" title="2523: kathisas (V-APA-NMS) -- Another form for kathezomai; to seat down, i.e. Set; intransitively, to sit; figuratively, to settle.">sit down</a> <a href="/greek/5585.htm" title="5585: psēphizei (V-PIA-3S) -- To reckon, compute, calculate. From psephos; to use pebbles in enumeration, i.e. to compute.">and count</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/1160.htm" title="1160: dapanēn (N-AFS) -- Cost, expense. From dapto; expense.">cost</a> <a href="/greek/1487.htm" title="1487: ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.">to see if</a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: echei (V-PIA-3S) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">he has the resources</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.">to</a> <a href="/greek/535.htm" title="535: apartismon (N-AMS) -- Completion, perfection. From a derivative of aparti; completion.">complete it?</a> 29Otherwise, if he lays the foundation and is unable to finish the work, everyone who sees it will ridicule him,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/proverbs/24-3.htm">Proverbs 24:3-4</a> By wisdom a house is built and by understanding it is established; / through knowledge its rooms are filled with every precious and beautiful treasure. <a href="/proverbs/21-5.htm">Proverbs 21:5</a> The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty. <a href="/proverbs/16-3.htm">Proverbs 16:3</a> Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved. <a href="/proverbs/19-2.htm">Proverbs 19:2</a> Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark. <a href="/proverbs/24-27.htm">Proverbs 24:27</a> Complete your outdoor work and prepare your field; after that, you may build your house. <a href="/proverbs/15-22.htm">Proverbs 15:22</a> Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. <a href="/proverbs/20-18.htm">Proverbs 20:18</a> Set plans by consultation, and wage war under sound guidance. <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-8.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:8</a> The end of a matter is better than the beginning, and a patient spirit is better than a proud one. <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-10.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:10</a> If the axe is dull and the blade unsharpened, more strength must be exerted, but skill produces success. <a href="/1_chronicles/28-9.htm">1 Chronicles 28:9-10</a> As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever. / Consider now that the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary. Be strong and do it.” <a href="/1_chronicles/22-11.htm">1 Chronicles 22:11-13</a> Now, my son, may the LORD be with you, and may you succeed in building the house of the LORD your God, as He said you would. / Above all, may the LORD give you insight and understanding when He puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the Law of the LORD your God. / Then you will succeed, if you carefully follow the statutes and ordinances that the LORD commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. <a href="/nehemiah/2-11.htm">Nehemiah 2:11-18</a> After I had arrived in Jerusalem and had been there three days, / I set out at night with a few men. I did not tell anyone what my God had laid on my heart to do for Jerusalem. The only animal with me was the one on which I was riding. / So I went out at night through the Valley Gate toward the Well of the Serpent and the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that had been broken down and the gates that had been destroyed by fire. ... <a href="/haggai/1-7.htm">Haggai 1:7-8</a> This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Consider carefully your ways. / Go up into the hills, bring down lumber, and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified, says the LORD. <a href="/matthew/7-24.htm">Matthew 7:24-27</a> Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. / The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock. / But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ... <a href="/matthew/25-1.htm">Matthew 25:1-13</a> “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. / Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. / The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take along any extra oil. ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>For which of you, intending to build a tower, sits not down first, and counts the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?intending.<a href="/genesis/11-4.htm">Genesis 11:4-9</a> And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth… <a href="/proverbs/24-27.htm">Proverbs 24:27</a> Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.counteth.<a href="/luke/14-33.htm">Luke 14:33</a> So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.<a href="/joshua/24-19.htm">Joshua 24:19-24</a> And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins… <a href="/matthew/8-20.htm">Matthew 8:20</a> And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/12-18.htm">Build</a> <a href="/luke/6-49.htm">Building</a> <a href="/leviticus/27-23.htm">Calculate</a> <a href="/luke/13-32.htm">Complete</a> <a href="/jeremiah/42-20.htm">Cost</a> <a href="/luke/7-7.htm">Count</a> <a href="/jeremiah/33-13.htm">Counteth</a> <a href="/luke/10-29.htm">Desiring</a> <a href="/luke/10-29.htm">Desirous</a> <a href="/luke/12-19.htm">Enough</a> <a href="/luke/10-35.htm">Expense</a> <a href="/luke/13-32.htm">Finish</a> <a href="/luke/14-18.htm">First</a> <a href="/jeremiah/41-17.htm">Intending</a> <a href="/luke/14-14.htm">Means</a> <a href="/luke/12-33.htm">Money</a> <a href="/luke/11-3.htm">Needed</a> <a href="/matthew/27-9.htm">Price</a> <a href="/luke/14-15.htm">Sat</a> <a href="/luke/14-10.htm">Sit</a> <a href="/matthew/23-22.htm">Sitteth</a> <a href="/matthew/25-9.htm">Sufficient</a> <a href="/luke/13-4.htm">Suppose</a> <a href="/luke/12-29.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/luke/13-4.htm">Tower</a> <a href="/luke/13-31.htm">Wants</a> <a href="/luke/14-14.htm">Wherewith</a> <a href="/luke/12-38.htm">Whether</a> <a href="/luke/13-34.htm">Willing</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/luke/14-30.htm">Build</a> <a href="/luke/14-30.htm">Building</a> <a href="/revelation/13-18.htm">Calculate</a> <a href="/luke/14-30.htm">Complete</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/6-20.htm">Cost</a> <a href="/acts/20-24.htm">Count</a> <a href="/job/19-11.htm">Counteth</a> <a href="/luke/16-21.htm">Desiring</a> <a href="/luke/15-16.htm">Desirous</a> <a href="/luke/15-17.htm">Enough</a> <a href="/acts/28-30.htm">Expense</a> <a href="/luke/14-29.htm">Finish</a> <a href="/luke/14-31.htm">First</a> <a href="/john/6-6.htm">Intending</a> <a href="/luke/16-9.htm">Means</a> <a href="/luke/15-13.htm">Money</a> <a href="/luke/22-35.htm">Needed</a> <a href="/acts/5-2.htm">Price</a> <a href="/luke/16-6.htm">Sat</a> <a href="/luke/14-31.htm">Sit</a> <a href="/luke/14-31.htm">Sitteth</a> <a href="/luke/22-38.htm">Sufficient</a> <a href="/luke/15-4.htm">Suppose</a> <a href="/luke/19-11.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/genesis/11-4.htm">Tower</a> <a href="/john/3-8.htm">Wants</a> <a href="/luke/14-34.htm">Wherewith</a> <a href="/luke/14-31.htm">Whether</a> <a href="/luke/15-28.htm">Willing</a><div class="vheading2">Luke 14</div>1. <a href="/luke/14-1.htm">Jesus heals the dropsy on the Sabbath;</a> 7. <a href="/luke/14-7.htm">teaches humility;</a> 12. <a href="/luke/14-12.htm">to feast the poor;</a> 15. <a href="/luke/14-15.htm">under the parable of the great supper, </a> 23. <a href="/luke/14-23.htm">shows how worldly minded men shall be shut out of heaven.</a> 25. <a href="/luke/14-25.htm">Those who will be his disciples, to bear their cross must make their accounts beforehand,</a> 31. <a href="/luke/14-31.htm">lest with shame they revolt from him afterward;</a> 34. <a href="/luke/14-34.htm">and become altogether unprofitable, like salt that has lost its flavor.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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In the ancient Near East, towers were often built for defense, storage, or as watchtowers in vineyards. The imagery of a tower would resonate with Jesus' audience, who understood the significance of such structures. The desire to build a tower implies ambition and foresight, qualities that are necessary for discipleship. This metaphor can be connected to the spiritual ambition required to follow Christ, as seen in other scriptures like <a href="/luke/9-23.htm">Luke 9:23</a>, where Jesus speaks of taking up one's cross.does not first sit down and count the cost The act of sitting down suggests deliberate and thoughtful planning. Counting the cost involves assessing the resources and sacrifices necessary to achieve a goal. In the context of discipleship, this means evaluating the personal sacrifices and commitments required to follow Jesus. This principle is echoed in <a href="/proverbs/24-27.htm">Proverbs 24:27</a>, which advises preparing one's work outside and making it fit for oneself in the field before building a house. The concept of counting the cost is crucial in understanding the demands of true discipleship, as Jesus often spoke of the need to forsake all to follow Him (<a href="/luke/14-33.htm">Luke 14:33</a>).to see if he has the resources to complete it? This phrase emphasizes the importance of ensuring that one has the necessary resources to finish what one starts. In the cultural context of the time, failing to complete a building project would lead to public shame and ridicule. This is a call to commitment and perseverance in the Christian life, as seen in <a href="/philippians/1-6.htm">Philippians 1:6</a>, where Paul expresses confidence that God, who began a good work in believers, will carry it on to completion. The idea of completion also ties into the concept of spiritual maturity and the fulfillment of God's purposes, as seen in <a href="/colossians/2-10.htm">Colossians 2:10</a>, where believers are described as being complete in Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The speaker of this parable, teaching His disciples and the crowds about the cost of discipleship. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_builder.htm">The Builder</a> A hypothetical person in the parable who desires to build a tower, representing anyone considering a significant undertaking. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_tower.htm">The Tower</a> A metaphor for any significant project or commitment, symbolizing the life of discipleship. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_cost.htm">The Cost</a> Represents the necessary resources and sacrifices required to complete a task, particularly the cost of following Jesus. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_crowd.htm">The Crowd</a> The audience listening to Jesus, including His disciples and others interested in His teachings.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/c/counting_the_cost_of_discipleship.htm">Counting the Cost of Discipleship</a> Before committing to follow Christ, one must understand and be willing to accept the sacrifices involved. <a href="/topical/w/wise_planning.htm">Wise Planning</a> Just as a builder plans before constructing a tower, Christians should thoughtfully consider their spiritual journey and commitments. <a href="/topical/r/resource_assessment.htm">Resource Assessment</a> Evaluate whether you have the spiritual resources, such as faith, perseverance, and community support, to sustain your walk with Christ. <a href="/topical/c/commitment_to_completion.htm">Commitment to Completion</a> True discipleship requires a commitment to see it through to the end, despite challenges and obstacles. <a href="/topical/s/spiritual_investment.htm">Spiritual Investment</a> Investing in your spiritual life is crucial, much like ensuring you have the necessary resources to complete a building project.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_luke_14.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Luke 14</a> <a href="/q/is_giving_up_'all'_truly_feasible.htm">Luke 14:28–33: Is giving up “everything” truly feasible, and why do we see inconsistencies in how this was practiced historically? </a> <a href="/q/what's_the_christian_coalition.htm">What does 'rob Peter to pay Paul' mean?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'rob_peter_to_pay_paul'_mean.htm">What does "rob Peter to pay Paul" mean?</a> <a href="/q/should_churches_take_on_debt.htm">Is it wrong for churches to incur debt?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/luke/14.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(28-30) Which of you, intending to build a tower . .?--The words do not depend for their meaning on any local or personal allusion, but it is quite possible that their force may have been heightened for those who heard them by the memory of recent facts. Pilate had begun to build--certainly an aqueduct, probably a tower--and had not been able to finish. (See Notes on <a href="/luke/13-4.htm" title="Or those eighteen, on whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think you that they were sinners above all men that dwelled in Jerusalem?">Luke 13:4</a>; <a href="/matthew/27-16.htm" title="And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.">Matthew 27:16</a>.) He had not "counted the cost," and when he was hindered from laying hands on the Corban, or treasure of the Temple, his resources failed.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/luke/14.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 28-30. - For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. The imagery was not an unfamiliar one in those days. The magnificent Herodian house had a passion for erecting great buildings, sacred and profane, in the varied cities under their sway. They would doubtless be often imitated, and no doubt many an unfinished edifice testified to the foolish emulation of some would-be imitator of the extravagant royal house. Now, such incomplete piles of masonry and brickwork simply excite a contemptuous pity for the builder, who has so falsely calculated his resources when he drew the plan of the palace or villa he was never able to finish. So in the spiritual life, the would-be professor finds such living harder than he supposed, and so gives up trying after the nobler way of living altogether; and the world, who watched his feeble efforts and listened with an incredulous smile when he proclaimed his intentions, now ridicules him, and pours scorn upon what it considers an unattainable ideal. Such an attempt and failure injure the cause of God. <a href="/commentaries/luke/14-28.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Which Τίς (Tis) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what. of ἐξ (ex) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. you, ὑμῶν (hymōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. wishing θέλων (thelōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2309.htm">Strong's 2309: </a> To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design. to build οἰκοδομῆσαι (oikodomēsai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_3618.htm">Strong's 3618: </a> From the same as oikodome; to be a house-builder, i.e. Construct or confirm. a tower, πύργον (pyrgon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4444.htm">Strong's 4444: </a> A tower, fortified structure. Apparently a primary word; a tower or castle. {does} not οὐχὶ (ouchi) IntPrtcl <a href="/greek/strongs_3780.htm">Strong's 3780: </a> By no means, not at all. Intensive of ou; not indeed. first πρῶτον (prōton) Adverb - Superlative <a href="/greek/strongs_4412.htm">Strong's 4412: </a> First, in the first place, before, formerly. Neuter of protos as adverb; firstly. sit down καθίσας (kathisas) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2523.htm">Strong's 2523: </a> Another form for kathezomai; to seat down, i.e. Set; intransitively, to sit; figuratively, to settle. [and] count ψηφίζει (psēphizei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5585.htm">Strong's 5585: </a> To reckon, compute, calculate. From psephos; to use pebbles in enumeration, i.e. to compute. the τὴν (tēn) Article - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. cost δαπάνην (dapanēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1160.htm">Strong's 1160: </a> Cost, expense. From dapto; expense. to see if εἰ (ei) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. he has [ the resources ] ἔχει (echei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold. to εἰς (eis) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1519.htm">Strong's 1519: </a> A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. complete [it]? ἀπαρτισμόν (apartismon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_535.htm">Strong's 535: </a> Completion, perfection. From a derivative of aparti; completion. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/luke/14-28.htm">Luke 14:28 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/luke/14-28.htm">Luke 14:28 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/luke/14-28.htm">Luke 14:28 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/luke/14-28.htm">Luke 14:28 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/luke/14-28.htm">Luke 14:28 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/luke/14-28.htm">Luke 14:28 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/luke/14-28.htm">Luke 14:28 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/luke/14-28.htm">Luke 14:28 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/luke/14-28.htm">Luke 14:28 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/luke/14-28.htm">Luke 14:28 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/luke/14-28.htm">NT Gospels: Luke 14:28 For which of you desiring to build (Luke Lu Lk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/luke/14-27.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Luke 14:27"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Luke 14:27" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/luke/14-29.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Luke 14:29"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Luke 14:29" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>