Luke 14:2 Meaning and Explanation
“And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Directly in front of Jesus is a man suffering from dropsy, a painful swelling of the body.
What Does Luke 14:2 Mean?
At the meal stands a man with dropsy — an illness in which the body retains fluid and swells. His condition would have been visible to everyone in the room. In a house full of watchers (v. 1), the suffering man is placed squarely where Jesus cannot miss him.
Whatever brought him there, his need now stands before the Lord, and that is the one place need is never wasted. The watchers see a test case; Jesus sees a man. Suffering that others use, or politely overlook, he receives. It is a picture worth keeping: bring the swollen, obvious, awkward need into the presence of Christ, for he is not embarrassed by it.
Luke 14:2 in the Original Language
hydropikos (ὑδρωπικός), 'dropsy' -- swollen with retained fluid; the word comes from hydor, water.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 14:2
What does Luke 14:2 mean?
Directly in front of Jesus is a man suffering from dropsy, a painful swelling of the body.