Bible Strands
Luke 14:11
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks to a banquet guest before instructing the host, establishing the principle during a meal where seating arrangements reveal social ambition.
The words — ὑψῶν (hupsōn) means "is exalting" and ταπεινωθήσεται (tapeinōthēsetai) means "will be humbled," creating a structural antithesis between active self-promotion and passive divine reversal.
The thread — The identical formulation appears in Matthew 23:12 and Luke 18:14, while Proverbs 29:23 records the same cause-and-effect pattern using the terms "pride" and "humble spirit."
Why it lands — The text declares that self-elevation guarantees humiliation and voluntary lowering guarantees elevation, requiring readers to reject status-seeking and accept their assigned place without demanding advancement.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Cross-references
- Matthew 23:12 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
- Luke 18:14 I tell you, this man, rather than the Pharisee, went home justified. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
- Proverbs 29:23 A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.
- James 4:6 But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
- Psalms 138:6 Though the LORD is on high, He attends to the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar.
- 1 Peter 5:5 Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
- Proverbs 18:12 Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
- James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.
- Isaiah 2:17 So the pride of man will be brought low, and the loftiness of men will be humbled; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day,
- Psalms 18:27 For You save an afflicted people, but You humble those with haughty eyes.