Luke 14:23

So the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Jesus, as the master in a parable, instructs his servant after the first round of invited guests have all declined and the house is still not full (v. 22).

The words — ἔξελθε (exelthe), aorist imperative, carries the force of a single decisive act: "go out" now, not later.

The thread — Matthew 22:9 gives the parallel command to the crossroads; Acts 13:47 and Colossians 1:28 trace the same widening of the invitation to those outside the original circle.

Why it lands — The invitation has not failed; it has moved to a wider, less privileged audience, and the reader is placed in the category of those now being called.

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

And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

Cross-references

Matthew 22:9 Go therefore to the crossroads and invite to the banquet as many as you can find.’
Colossians 1:28 We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
Acts 13:47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
2 Corinthians 5:11 Therefore, since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is clear to God, and I hope it is clear to your conscience as well.
2 Corinthians 5:20 Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God.
2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction.
Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Acts 18:6 But when they opposed and insulted him, he shook out his garments and told them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
Acts 28:28 Be advised, therefore, that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!”
Romans 10:18 But I ask, did they not hear? Indeed they did: “Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.”