Bible Strands
Luke 14:13
But when you host a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind,
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks to a host who invited Him to a meal, giving instructions for banquet invitations. The command is delivered within a teaching on avoiding reciprocal social obligations.
The words — ἀλλ᾽ (all᾽) = But introduces a direct contrast to the previous prohibition against inviting friends and relatives. πτωχούς (ptōchous) = the poor identifies the specific marginalized group to be called to the feast.
The thread — The directive aligns with the call to satisfy the afflicted in Isaiah 58:10 and the principle that kindness to the needy honors God in Proverbs 14:31. It parallels the servant's report in Luke 14:21 regarding the inclusion of those outside normal social circles.
Why it lands — The text commands the host to deliberately invite those unable to reciprocate, shifting hospitality away from social gain. It asks the reader to abandon transactional relationships and provide without expectation of return.
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
But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:
Cross-references
- Luke 14:21 The servant returned and reported all this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the city, and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’
- Isaiah 58:10 and if you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light will go forth in the darkness, and your night will be like noonday.
- Proverbs 14:31 Whoever oppresses the poor taunts their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors Him.
- Isaiah 58:7 Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
- Job 29:15 I served as eyes to the blind and as feet to the lame.
- Hebrews 13:2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.
- Nehemiah 8:10 Then Nehemiah told them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send out portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
- Job 31:16 If I have denied the desires of the poor or allowed the widow’s eyes to fail,
- Deuteronomy 16:14 And you shall rejoice in your feast—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite, as well as the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widows among you.
- Matthew 14:14 When He stepped ashore and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick.