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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 14:31 Or what king on his way to war with another king will not first sit down and consider whether he can engage with ten thousand men the one coming against him with twenty thousand?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/luke/14-31.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/42_Luk_14_31.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Luke 14:31 - The Cost of Discipleship" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Or what king on his way to war with another king will not first sit down and consider whether he can engage with ten thousand men the one coming against him with twenty thousand?" /><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> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><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/14-31.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/14-31.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 31</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="/ad11.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/14-30.htm" title="Luke 14:30">◄</a> Luke 14:31 <a href="/luke/14-32.htm" title="Luke 14:32">►</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> &#8220Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won&#8217t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? <a href="/nlt/luke/14.htm">New Living Translation</a> “Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him? <a href="/esv/luke/14.htm">English Standard Version</a> Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? <a href="/bsb/luke/14.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Or what king on his way to war with another king will not first sit down and consider whether he can engage with ten thousand men the one coming against him with twenty thousand? <a href="/blb/luke/14.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Or what king, proceeding to engage with another king in war, will not, having sat down, first take counsel whether he is able with ten thousand to meet the one coming against him with twenty thousand? <a href="/kjv/luke/14.htm">King James Bible</a> Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? <a href="/nkjv/luke/14.htm">New King James Version</a> Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? <a href="/nasb_/luke/14.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Or what king, when he sets out to meet another king in battle, will not first sit down and consider whether he is strong enough with ten thousand men to face the one coming against him with twenty thousand? <a href="/nasb/luke/14.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Or what king, when he sets out to meet another king in battle, will not first sit down and consider whether he is strong enough with ten thousand men to encounter the one coming against him with twenty thousand? <a href="/nasb77/luke/14.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Or what king, when he sets out to meet another king in battle, will not first sit down and take counsel whether he is strong enough with ten thousand men to encounter the one coming against him with twenty thousand? <a href="/lsb/luke/14.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Or what king, when he sets out to meet another king in battle, will not first sit down and consider whether he is strong enough with ten thousand men to encounter the one coming against him with twenty thousand? <a href="/amp/luke/14.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Or what king, when he sets out to meet another king in battle, will not first sit down and consider whether he is strong enough with ten thousand men to encounter the one who is coming against him with twenty thousand? <a href="/csb/luke/14.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “Or what king, going to war against another king, will not first sit down and decide if he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? <a href="/hcsb/luke/14.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> &#8220Or what king, going to war against another king, will not first sit down and decide if he is able with 10,000 to oppose the one who comes against him with 20,000? <a href="/asv/luke/14.htm">American Standard Version</a> Or what king, as he goeth to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and take counsel whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? <a href="/cev/luke/14.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> What will a king do if he has only 10,000 soldiers to defend himself against a king who is about to attack him with 20,000 soldiers? Before he goes out to battle, won't he first sit down and decide if he can win? <a href="/erv/luke/14.htm">English Revised Version</a> Or what king, as he goeth to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and take counsel whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? <a href="/gwt/luke/14.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "Or suppose a king is going to war against another king. He would first sit down and think things through. Can he and his 10,000 soldiers fight against a king with 20,000 soldiers? <a href="/gnt/luke/14.htm">Good News Translation</a> If a king goes out with ten thousand men to fight another king who comes against him with twenty thousand men, he will sit down first and decide if he is strong enough to face that other king. <a href="/isv/luke/14.htm">International Standard Version</a> "Or suppose a king is going to war against another king. He will first sit down and consider whether with 10,000 men he can fight the one coming against him with 20,000 men, won't he? <a href="/net/luke/14.htm">NET Bible</a> Or what king, going out to confront another king in battle, will not sit down first and determine whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? <a href="/nheb/luke/14.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Or what king, as he goes to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? <a href="/wbt/luke/14.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Or what king going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? <a href="/wey/luke/14.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Or what king, marching to encounter another king in war, does not first sit down and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand men to meet the one who is advancing against him with twenty thousand?<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/luke/14.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Or what king on his way to war with another king does not first sit down and consider whether he can engage with ten thousand men the one coming against him with twenty thousand? <a href="/web/luke/14.htm">World English Bible</a> Or what king, as he goes to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/luke/14.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Or what king going on to engage with another king in war, does not, having sat down, first consult if he with ten thousand is able to meet him who is coming against him with twenty thousand? <a href="/blb/luke/14.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Or what king, proceeding to engage with another king in war, will not, having sat down, first take counsel whether he is able with ten thousand to meet the one coming against him with twenty thousand? <a href="/ylt/luke/14.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 'Or what king going on to engage with another king in war, doth not, having sat down, first consult if he be able with ten thousand to meet him who with twenty thousand is coming against him? <a href="/slt/luke/14.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Or what king, going to fight with another king in war, not, having sat down first, consults, if he be able with ten thousand to meet him coming with twenty thousand against him?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/luke/14.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Or what king, about to go to make war against another king, doth not first sit down, and think whether he be able, with ten thousand, to meet him that, with twenty thousand, cometh against him? <a href="/cpdv/luke/14.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Or, what king, advancing to engage in war against another king, would not first sit down and consider whether he may be able, with ten thousand, to meet one who comes against him with twenty thousand? <a href="/nabre/luke/14.htm">New American Bible</a> Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops? <a href="/nrsvce/luke/14.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand?<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/luke/14.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Or which king, who goes to war to fight against a king equal to him, would not at first reason, whether he is able with ten thousand to meet the one who is coming against him with twenty thousand? <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/luke/14.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “Or who is the King who goes to battle to fight with a neighboring King and does not first consider whether he can with 10,000 confront him who comes against him with 20,000?”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/luke/14.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Or, what king, going to make war against another king, does not first sit down, and deliberate whether he is able, with ten thousand, to meet him that is coming; against him with twenty thousand? <a href="/godbey/luke/14.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>Or what king, going forth to engage in war with another king, will not first sitting down counsel if he is able with ten thousand to meet him who is coming against him, with twenty thousand?<Fr> <a href="/haweis/luke/14.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Or what king, going forth to encounter another king in battle, doth not sit down first, and consult if he is able with ten thousand men to meet him who is coming against him with twenty thousand? <a href="/mace/luke/14.htm">Mace New Testament</a> or where is the king, that will march to give battle to another king, without setting himself first to deliberate, whether he is strong enough with ten thousand to withstand an army of twenty thousand? <a href="/wey/luke/14.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Or what king, marching to encounter another king in war, does not first sit down and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand men to meet the one who is advancing against him with twenty thousand? <a href="/worrell/luke/14.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>"Or what king, going on to engage another king in war, does not, sitting down, first take counsel, whether he is able, with ten thousand, to meet him who is coming against him with twenty thousand?<Fr> <a href="/worsley/luke/14.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>Or what king, going to engage with another king in battle, doth not sit down first and consult, whether he be able with ten thousand <Fr>men<FR> to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?<Fr> <a href="/parallel/luke/14-31.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=6096" 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> …30saying, ‘This man could not finish what he started to build.’ 31<a href="/greek/2228.htm" title="2228: Ē (Conj) -- Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.">Or</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.">what</a> <a href="/greek/935.htm" title="935: basileus (N-NMS) -- A king, ruler, but in some passages clearly to be translated: emperor. Probably from basis; a sovereign.">king</a> <a href="/greek/4198.htm" title="4198: poreuomenos (V-PPM/P-NMS) -- To travel, journey, go, die. ">on his way</a> <a href="/greek/4820.htm" title="4820: symbalein (V-ANA) -- From sun and ballo; to combine, i.e. to converse, consult, dispute, to consider, to aid, to join, attack."></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."></a> <a href="/greek/4171.htm" title="4171: polemon (N-AMS) -- A war, battle, strife. From pelomai; warfare.">to war</a> <a href="/greek/2087.htm" title="2087: heterō (Adj-DMS) -- (a) of two: another, a second, (b) other, different, (c) one's neighbor. Of uncertain affinity; other or different.">with another</a> <a href="/greek/935.htm" title="935: basilei (N-DMS) -- A king, ruler, but in some passages clearly to be translated: emperor. Probably from basis; a sovereign.">king</a> <a href="/greek/3780.htm" title="3780: ouchi (IntPrtcl) -- By no means, not at all. Intensive of ou; not indeed."></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.">will not first sit down</a> <a href="/greek/4412.htm" title="4412: prōton (Adv-S) -- First, in the first place, before, formerly. Neuter of protos as adverb; firstly."></a> <a href="/greek/1011.htm" title="1011: bouleusetai (V-FIM-3S) -- To deliberate, take counsel, determine. From boule; to advise, i.e. deliberate, or resolve.">and consider</a> <a href="/greek/1487.htm" title="1487: ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.">whether</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">he</a> <a href="/greek/1415.htm" title="1415: dynatos (Adj-NMS) -- (a) of persons: powerful, able, (b) of things: possible. From dunamai; powerful or capable; neuter possible.">can</a> <a href="/greek/5221.htm" title="5221: hypantēsai (V-ANA) -- To meet, go to meet. From hupo and a derivative of anti; to go opposite under, i.e. To encounter, fall in with.">engage</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">with</a> <a href="/greek/1176.htm" title="1176: deka (Adj-DFP) -- Ten. A primary number; ten.">ten</a> <a href="/greek/5505.htm" title="5505: chiliasin (N-DFP) -- A thousand, the number one thousand. From chilioi; one thousand.">thousand men</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the one</a> <a href="/greek/2064.htm" title="2064: erchomenō (V-PPM/P-DMS) -- To come, go. ">coming</a> <a href="/greek/1909.htm" title="1909: ep’ (Prep) -- On, to, against, on the basis of, at. ">against</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auton (PPro-AM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">him</a> <a href="/greek/3326.htm" title="3326: meta (Prep) -- (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives. ">with</a> <a href="/greek/1501.htm" title="1501: eikosi (Adj-GFP) -- Twenty. Of uncertain affinity; a score.">twenty</a> <a href="/greek/5505.htm" title="5505: chiliadōn (N-GFP) -- A thousand, the number one thousand. From chilioi; one thousand.">thousand?</a> 32And if he is unable, he will send a delegation while the other king is still far off, to ask for terms of peace.…<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/20-18.htm">Proverbs 20:18</a> Set plans by consultation, and wage war under sound guidance. <a href="/proverbs/24-6.htm">Proverbs 24:6</a> Only with sound guidance should you wage war, and victory lies in a multitude of counselors. <a href="/matthew/10-16.htm">Matthew 10:16</a> Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. <a href="/1_kings/20-1.htm">1 Kings 20:1-22</a> Now Ben-hadad king of Aram assembled his entire army. Accompanied by thirty-two kings with their horses and chariots, he marched up, besieged Samaria, and waged war against it. / Then he sent messengers into the city to Ahab king of Israel, / saying, “This is what Ben-hadad says: ‘Your silver and gold are mine, and your best wives and children are mine!’” ... <a href="/2_samuel/10-6.htm">2 Samuel 10:6-19</a> When the Ammonites realized that they had become a stench to David, they hired twenty thousand Aramean foot soldiers from Beth-rehob and Zoba, as well as a thousand men from the king of Maacah and twelve thousand men from Tob. / On hearing this, David sent Joab and the entire army of mighty men. / The Ammonites marched out and arrayed themselves for battle at the entrance of the city gate, while the Arameans of Zobah and Rehob and the men of Tob and Maacah were by themselves in the open country. ... <a href="/judges/7-1.htm">Judges 7:1-25</a> Early in the morning Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and all the men with him camped beside the spring of Harod. And the camp of Midian was north of them in the valley near the hill of Moreh. / Then the LORD said to Gideon, “You have too many men for Me to deliver Midian into their hands, lest Israel glorify themselves over Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’ / Now, therefore, proclaim in the hearing of the men: ‘Whoever is fearful and trembling may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’” So twenty-two thousand of them turned back, but ten thousand remained. ... <a href="/2_chronicles/20-1.htm">2 Chronicles 20:1-30</a> After this, the Moabites and Ammonites, together with some of the Meunites, came to make war against Jehoshaphat. / Then some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the Sea; they are already in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, En-gedi). / Jehoshaphat was alarmed and set his face to seek the LORD. And he proclaimed a fast throughout Judah. ... <a href="/isaiah/36-1.htm">Isaiah 36:1-22</a> In the fourteenth year of Hezekiah’s reign, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked and captured all the fortified cities of Judah. / And the king of Assyria sent the Rabshakeh, with a great army, from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. And he stopped by the aqueduct of the upper pool, on the road to the Launderer’s Field. / Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and Joah son of Asaph the recorder, went out to him. ... <a href="/2_kings/18-17.htm">2 Kings 18:17-37</a> Nevertheless, the king of Assyria sent the Tartan, the Rabsaris, and the Rabshakeh, along with a great army, from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. They advanced up to Jerusalem and stationed themselves by the aqueduct of the upper pool, on the road to the Launderer’s Field. / Then they called for the king. And Eliakim son of Hilkiah the palace administrator, Shebnah the scribe, and Joah son of Asaph the recorder, went out to them. / The Rabshakeh said to them, “Tell Hezekiah that this is what the great king, the king of Assyria, says: What is the basis of this confidence of yours? ... <a href="/2_kings/19-1.htm">2 Kings 19:1-37</a> On hearing this report, King Hezekiah tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and entered the house of the LORD. / And he sent Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and the leading priests, all wearing sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz / to tell him, “This is what Hezekiah says: Today is a day of distress, rebuke, and disgrace; for children have come to the point of birth, but there is no strength to deliver them. ... <a href="/1_samuel/17-1.htm">1 Samuel 17:1-58</a> Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war at Socoh in Judah, and they camped between Socoh and Azekah in Ephes-dammim. / Saul and the men of Israel assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah, arraying themselves for battle against the Philistines. / The Philistines stood on one hill and the Israelites stood on another, with the valley between them. ... <a href="/joshua/10-1.htm">Joshua 10:1-15</a> Now Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem heard that Joshua had captured Ai and devoted it to destruction—doing to Ai and its king as he had done to Jericho and its king—and that the people of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and were living near them. / So Adoni-zedek and his people were greatly alarmed, because Gibeon was a great city, like one of the royal cities; it was larger than Ai, and all its men were mighty. / Therefore Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem sent word to Hoham king of Hebron, Piram king of Jarmuth, Japhia king of Lachish, and Debir king of Eglon, saying, ... <a href="/nehemiah/4-7.htm">Nehemiah 4:7-23</a> When Sanballat and Tobiah, together with the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites, heard that the repair to the walls of Jerusalem was progressing and that the gaps were being closed, they were furious, / and all of them conspired to come and fight against Jerusalem and create a hindrance. / So we prayed to our God and posted a guard against them day and night. ... <a href="/jeremiah/21-1.htm">Jeremiah 21:1-14</a> This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD when King Zedekiah sent to him Pashhur son of Malchijah and the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah. They said, / “Please inquire of the LORD on our behalf, since Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is waging war against us. Perhaps the LORD will perform for us something like all His past wonders, so that Nebuchadnezzar will withdraw from us.” / But Jeremiah answered, “You are to tell Zedekiah that ... <a href="/ezekiel/38-1.htm">Ezekiel 38:1-23</a> And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, / “Son of man, set your face against Gog of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. Prophesy against him / and declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Or what king, going to make war against another king, sits not down first, and consults whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that comes against him with twenty thousand?<a href="/1_kings/20-11.htm">1 Kings 20:11</a> And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him, Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off.<a href="/2_kings/18-20.htm">2 Kings 18:20-22</a> Thou sayest, (but they are but vain words,) I have counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me? … <a href="/proverbs/20-18.htm">Proverbs 20:18</a> Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/14-30.htm">Able</a> <a href="/luke/2-52.htm">Advancing</a> <a href="/luke/14-19.htm">Consider</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/10-8.htm">Consulteth</a> <a href="/luke/7-30.htm">Counsel</a> <a href="/romans/8-28.htm">Deliberate</a> <a href="/hosea/13-8.htm">Encounter</a> <a href="/luke/14-28.htm">First</a> <a href="/luke/12-45.htm">Goes</a> <a href="/mark/13-11.htm">Marching</a> <a href="/luke/9-37.htm">Meet</a> <a href="/luke/14-28.htm">Sit</a> <a href="/luke/14-28.htm">Sitteth</a> <a href="/mark/10-41.htm">Ten</a> <a href="/luke/9-14.htm">Thousand</a> <a href="/zechariah/5-2.htm">Twenty</a> <a href="/luke/12-53.htm">War</a> <a href="/luke/14-28.htm">Whether</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/luke/14-32.htm">Able</a> <a href="/romans/6-19.htm">Advancing</a> <a href="/john/7-22.htm">Consider</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/18-11.htm">Consulteth</a> <a href="/luke/23-51.htm">Counsel</a> <a href="/romans/8-28.htm">Deliberate</a> <a href="/acts/6-9.htm">Encounter</a> <a href="/luke/15-22.htm">First</a> <a href="/luke/14-34.htm">Goes</a> <a href="/exodus/14-8.htm">Marching</a> <a href="/luke/15-32.htm">Meet</a> <a href="/luke/16-6.htm">Sit</a> <a href="/luke/22-27.htm">Sitteth</a> <a href="/luke/15-8.htm">Ten</a> <a href="/luke/16-7.htm">Thousand</a> <a href="/john/2-6.htm">Twenty</a> <a href="/luke/23-11.htm">War</a> <a href="/luke/22-27.htm">Whether</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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/14.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/luke/14.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Or what king on his way to war with another king This phrase sets the stage for a parable about counting the cost, a common theme in Jesus' teachings. In the ancient Near East, kings often engaged in territorial disputes, and warfare was a regular occurrence. The imagery of a king preparing for battle would have been familiar to Jesus' audience, who lived under Roman occupation and were aware of the political and military maneuvers of their time. This context emphasizes the seriousness and strategic planning required in leadership and decision-making.will not first sit down and consider The act of sitting down implies a deliberate and thoughtful process. In biblical times, leaders would gather their advisors and assess their resources and strategies before making significant decisions. This reflects the wisdom literature of the Old Testament, such as Proverbs, which emphasizes the importance of planning and seeking counsel. It also aligns with Jesus' broader teaching on the necessity of thoughtful discipleship and the cost of following Him.whether he can engage with ten thousand men The mention of ten thousand men suggests a substantial but limited military force. In historical context, armies of varying sizes were common, and the number ten thousand would have been significant but not overwhelming. This detail highlights the need for realistic assessment of one's capabilities. It echoes the biblical principle of understanding one's limitations and relying on God's strength, as seen in stories like Gideon's reduction of his army in <a href="/judges/7.htm">Judges 7</a>.the one coming against him with twenty thousand? The opposing force of twenty thousand men represents a formidable challenge, doubling the king's own forces. This imbalance underscores the importance of strategic planning and the potential for overwhelming odds. It serves as a metaphor for the spiritual battles believers face, where reliance on God's power and wisdom is crucial. The imagery also connects to the broader biblical narrative of God delivering His people against seemingly insurmountable odds, as seen in the Exodus and David's victory over Goliath.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_king.htm">The King</a> Represents a leader or decision-maker who must evaluate his resources and strategy before engaging in battle. This figure is used by Jesus to illustrate the importance of careful planning and consideration in discipleship. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_other_king.htm">The Other King</a> Symbolizes an opposing force or challenge that is greater in number or strength, emphasizing the need for wisdom and discernment in facing life's challenges. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_war.htm">The War</a> A metaphor for the spiritual and practical battles one faces in life, particularly in the context of following Christ and the cost of discipleship.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/c/counting_the_cost_of_discipleship.htm">Counting the Cost of Discipleship</a> Just as a king must assess his ability to win a battle, believers must consider the sacrifices and commitments involved in following Christ. <a href="/topical/s/strategic_spiritual_planning.htm">Strategic Spiritual Planning</a> Like the king who plans for war, Christians are called to be strategic in their spiritual lives, preparing for challenges through prayer, study, and community. <a href="/topical/w/wisdom_in_decision-making.htm">Wisdom in Decision-Making</a> This passage encourages believers to seek wisdom and discernment in all decisions, recognizing the importance of evaluating one's resources and capabilities. <a href="/topical/d/dependence_on_god's_strength.htm">Dependence on God’s Strength</a> While planning is essential, believers must ultimately rely on God's strength and guidance, acknowledging that human resources are limited. <a href="/topical/f/facing_challenges_with_faith.htm">Facing Challenges with Faith</a> The parable reminds us that challenges will come, but with faith and preparation, we can face them confidently.<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/what_defines_biblical_womanhood.htm">What defines Biblical Womanhood?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_just_war_theory.htm">What principles define the Just War Theory?</a> <a href="/q/does_luke_14_31-32_conflict_with_peace.htm">Luke 14:31-32: Does Jesus' warfare analogy conflict with other passages (e.g., Matthew 5:9) advocating peace?</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 name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/luke/14.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(31) What king, going to make war against another king . .?--Here also there may have been a side-glance at contemporary history. The Tetrarch's divorce of his first wife had involved him in a war with her father Aretas, an Arabian king or ethnarch (see Note on <a href="/luke/3-14.htm" title="And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said to them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.">Luke 3:14</a>), in which his army was destroyed, and the Jewish historian sees in this the commencement of all his subsequent misfortunes (Jos. Ant. v., 18:5, ? 1).In the spiritual interpretation of the two parables, the tower reminds us of the house in <a href="/context/matthew/7-24.htm" title="Therefore whoever hears these sayings of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, which built his house on a rock:">Matthew 7:24-27</a>, and so stands for the structure of a holy life reared on the one Foundation; the warfare brings to our remembrance the conflict described in <a href="/matthew/12-29.htm" title="Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.">Matthew 12:29</a>. Here it stands partly for the conflict which every Christian carries on against sin, the world, and the devil, and of which we should take a clear estimate before we enter on it, partly for the greater war on which Christ Himself had entered, and of which He too had counted the cost-- that being, in His case, nothing less than the sacrifice of His own life.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/luke/14.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 31, 32. - Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand! Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. It is not improbable that this simile was derived from the history of the time. The unhappy connection of the tetrarch Herod with Herodias had brought about the divorce of that sovereign's first wife, who was daughter of Aretas, a powerful Arabian prince. This involved Herod in an Arabian war, the result of which was disastrous to the tetrarch. Josephus points out that this ill-omened incident was the commencement of Herod Antipas's subsequent misfortunes. Our Lord not improbably used this simile, foreseeing what would be the ultimate end of this unhappy war of Herod. The. first of these two little similes rather points to the building up of the Christian life in the heart and life. The second is an image of the warfare which' every Christian man must wage against the world, its passions, and its lusts. If we cannot brace ourselves up to the' sacrifice necessary for the completion of the building up of the life we know the Master loves; if we shrink from the cost involved in the warfare against sin and evil - a warfare which will only end with life - better for us not to begin the building or risk the war. It will be a wretched alternative, but still it will be best for us to make our submission at once to the world and its prince; at least, by so doing we shall avoid the scandal and the shame of injuring a cause which we adopted only to forsake. The Swiss commentator Godet very naturally uses here a simile taken from his own nationality: "Would not a little nation like the Swiss bring down ridicule on itself by declaring war with France, if it were not determined to die nobly on the field of battle?" He was thinking of the splendid patriotism of his own brave ancestors who had determined so to die, and who carried out their gallant purpose. He was thinking of stricken fields like Morgarten and Sempach, and of brave hearts like those of Rudolph of Erlach, and Arnold of Winkelried, who loved their country better than their lives. This was the spirit with which Christ's warriors must undertake the hard stern warfare against an evil and corrupt world, otherwise better let his cause alone. The sombre shadow of the cross lay heavy and dark across all the Redeemer's words spoken at this time. <a href="/commentaries/luke/14-31.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Or Ἢ (Ē) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2228.htm">Strong's 2228: </a> Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than. what 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. king βασιλεὺς (basileus) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> A king, ruler, but in some passages clearly to be translated: emperor. Probably from basis; a sovereign. on his way πορευόμενος (poreuomenos) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4198.htm">Strong's 4198: </a> To travel, journey, go, die. to war πόλεμον (polemon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4171.htm">Strong's 4171: </a> A war, battle, strife. From pelomai; warfare. with another ἑτέρῳ (heterō) Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2087.htm">Strong's 2087: </a> (a) of two: another, a second, (b) other, different, (c) one's neighbor. Of uncertain affinity; other or different. king βασιλεῖ (basilei) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> A king, ruler, but in some passages clearly to be translated: emperor. Probably from basis; a sovereign. will not first 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] consider βουλεύσεται (bouleusetai) Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1011.htm">Strong's 1011: </a> To deliberate, take counsel, determine. From boule; to advise, i.e. deliberate, or resolve. whether εἰ (ei) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. he ἐστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. can δυνατός (dynatos) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1415.htm">Strong's 1415: </a> (a) of persons: powerful, able, (b) of things: possible. From dunamai; powerful or capable; neuter possible. engage ὑπαντῆσαι (hypantēsai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_5221.htm">Strong's 5221: </a> To meet, go to meet. From hupo and a derivative of anti; to go opposite under, i.e. To encounter, fall in with. with ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. ten δέκα (deka) Adjective - Dative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1176.htm">Strong's 1176: </a> Ten. A primary number; ten. thousand [men] χιλιάσιν (chiliasin) Noun - Dative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5505.htm">Strong's 5505: </a> A thousand, the number one thousand. From chilioi; one thousand. the [one] τῷ (tō) Article - Dative Masculine 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. coming ἐρχομένῳ (erchomenō) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2064.htm">Strong's 2064: </a> To come, go. against ἐπ’ (ep’) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1909.htm">Strong's 1909: </a> On, to, against, on the basis of, at. him αὐτόν (auton) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. with μετὰ (meta) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_3326.htm">Strong's 3326: </a> (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives. twenty εἴκοσι (eikosi) Adjective - Genitive Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1501.htm">Strong's 1501: </a> Twenty. Of uncertain affinity; a score. thousand? χιλιάδων (chiliadōn) Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5505.htm">Strong's 5505: </a> A thousand, the number one thousand. From chilioi; one thousand. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/luke/14-31.htm">Luke 14:31 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/luke/14-31.htm">Luke 14:31 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/luke/14-31.htm">Luke 14:31 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/luke/14-31.htm">Luke 14:31 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/luke/14-31.htm">Luke 14:31 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/luke/14-31.htm">Luke 14:31 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/luke/14-31.htm">Luke 14:31 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/luke/14-31.htm">Luke 14:31 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/luke/14-31.htm">Luke 14:31 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/luke/14-31.htm">Luke 14:31 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/luke/14-31.htm">NT Gospels: Luke 14:31 Or what king as he goes (Luke Lu Lk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/luke/14-30.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Luke 14:30"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Luke 14:30" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/luke/14-32.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Luke 14:32"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Luke 14:32" /></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>