Luke 14:10 Meaning and Explanation
“But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Take the lowest place instead, so that the host may say, Friend, go up higher; then honor comes as a gift before all the guests.
What Does Luke 14:10 Mean?
Jesus reverses the strategy: when invited, go straight to the lowest place. Then the only direction left is up, and the move comes at the host's word, not your own. The greeting is warm — Friend, go up higher — and the KJV's 'worship' carries its older English sense of honor and esteem.
Honor that is given is the only honor worth having, and it can only be given to those who have not already taken it. This is the way of Christ himself, who took the lowest room — a manger, a towel, a cross — and was exalted (Philippians 2:8-9). The low seat is never wasted when God is the Host who sees it.
Luke 14:10 in the Original Language
doxa (δόξα), 'worship' -- glory or honor; the older English word here means esteem in the eyes of others.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 14:10
What does Luke 14:10 mean?
Take the lowest place instead, so that the host may say, Friend, go up higher; then honor comes as a gift before all the guests.