Luke 14:19 Meaning and Explanation
“And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The second guest excuses himself to go test the five pairs of oxen he has bought.
What Does Luke 14:19 Mean?
The second refusal mirrors the first. Five yoke of oxen — ten animals, the equipment of a sizable farm — have just been purchased, and the buyer says he is on his way to prove them, to try them out. He too asks, politely, to be excused from the supper.
Work is a good gift, but the oxen would still be there in the morning; the supper would not. The man chooses the field over the table because his livelihood feels urgent and the invitation does not. Possessions make patient servants and demanding masters. When business sets the calendar of the soul, the supper of God goes unattended — one polite excuse at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 14:19
What does Luke 14:19 mean?
The second guest excuses himself to go test the five pairs of oxen he has bought.