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?

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Jesus addresses a large crowd, posing the question immediately after the parable of the unfinished tower. He uses the scenario to illustrate the necessity of counting the cost before committing to discipleship.

The words — συμβαλεῖν (sumbalein) means to calculate or deliberate, and βασιλεὺς (basileus) denotes a ruling king. The text presents a military scenario where a king must weigh his ten thousand troops against an opponent’s twenty thousand before engaging.

The thread — This theme of deliberate consultation before action appears in Proverbs 20:18, Proverbs 25:8, and 1 Kings 20:11. Each reference underscores the principle that hasty decisions lead to failure or shame.

Why it lands — The passage demands a clear-eyed assessment of one’s resources and capabilities before undertaking a difficult commitment. It requires readers to reject impulsive vows and embrace practical reckoning.

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

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?

Cross-references

Proverbs 20:18 Set plans by consultation, and wage war under sound guidance.
Proverbs 25:8 do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame?
1 Kings 20:11 And the king of Israel replied, “Tell him: ‘The one putting on his armor should not boast like one taking it off.’”
2 Kings 18:20 You claim to have a strategy and strength for war, but these are empty words. In whom are you now trusting, that you have rebelled against me?