The Cost of Following Jesus; Salt and Saltiness
Luke 14:25-35
Luke.14.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Συνεπορευοντο: VERB,impf,mid,ind,3,pl
- δε: CONJ
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- οχλοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- πολλοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- στραφεις: PART,aor,act,nom,sg,m
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- προς: PREP
- αυτους·: PRON,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- Matthew 4:25 (verbal): Also records 'great multitudes' following Jesus—similar introductory scene-setting of crowds accompanying him.
- Matthew 8:19-22 (structural): A dialogue about following Jesus and the cost of discipleship (the scribe and the would‑be disciple); parallels Luke's ensuing demands on would‑be followers.
- Luke 9:57-62 (structural): A Lucan cluster of sayings addressing prospective followers and the cost/conditions of discipleship—closely parallels the material that follows Luke 14:25.
- Matthew 10:37-39 (verbal): Contains near‑verbal parallels to Luke's harsh demands (priority over family; taking up one's cross)—same theological thrust about the cost of following Jesus.
- John 6:60-66 (thematic): After a hard teaching many disciples turn away—echoes the testing of crowds and the costly nature of Jesus' demands implied by Luke 14:25–33.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now great crowds were traveling with him; and he turned and said to them,
- Now great crowds were going with him; and he turned and said to them,
Luke.14.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ει: PART
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- ερχεται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
- προς: PREP
- με: PRON,acc,sg,1
- και: CONJ
- ου: PART,neg
- μισει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- πατερα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- εαυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- μητερα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- γυναικα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- τεκνα: NOUN,acc,pl,neut
- και: CONJ
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- αδελφους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- αδελφας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- ετι: ADV
- τε: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- ψυχην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εαυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- ου: PART,neg
- δυναται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
- ειναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- μαθητης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 10:37 (verbal): Contrasts family love with loyalty to Jesus — whoever does not 'love father or mother' more than Jesus is not worthy of him; parallels Luke's strong wording about family vs. commitment to discipleship.
- Luke 14:33 (thematic): Both verses demand total renunciation for discipleship — Luke 14:33 requires renouncing all possessions, echoing the absolute commitment Luke 14:26 describes.
- Luke 9:23 (verbal): Calls for self-denial and taking up one's cross to follow Jesus; echoes Luke 14:26's demand even to 'hate' one's own life as part of faithful discipleship.
- Matthew 16:24 (structural): Similar call to discipleship: Jesus requires denying oneself and taking up the cross, structurally paralleling Luke 14:26's radical cost-of-discipleship teaching.
Alternative generated candidates
- “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters—even his own life—he cannot be my disciple.
- If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters — yes, even his own life — he cannot be my disciple.
Luke.14.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οστις: PRON,nom,sg,m
- ου: PART,neg
- βασταζει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- σταυρον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- εαυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ερχεται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
- οπισω: ADV
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- ου: PART,neg
- δυναται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
- ειναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- μαθητης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- Mark 8:34 (verbal): Near-identical saying: calls disciples to deny themselves, take up their cross and follow Jesus; Mark's parallel to Luke's call to cross-bearing as essential to discipleship.
- Matthew 16:24 (verbal): Very similar wording: 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me'—emphasizes self-denial and cross-bearing as the condition for following Jesus.
- Matthew 10:38 (verbal): States the corollary consequence: whoever does not take up his cross and follow Jesus is not worthy of him—parallels Luke's assertion that failure to bear one's cross disqualifies one as a disciple.
- Luke 9:23 (verbal): Within Luke's own Gospel this saying recurs with the additional word 'daily,' reinforcing the ongoing, self-denying nature of cross-bearing required to follow Jesus.
- Galatians 2:20 (thematic): Paul's language of being 'crucified with Christ' and living by faith expresses the same theological theme of dying to self and identifying with Christ's death that underlies the call to bear one's cross.
Alternative generated candidates
- Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.
- Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.
Luke.14.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- γαρ: PART
- εξ: PREP
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- θελων: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,m
- πυργον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- οικοδομησαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- ουχι: PART
- πρωτον: ADV
- καθισας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,m,sg
- ψηφιζει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- δαπανην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- εχει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- εις: PREP
- απαρτισμον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Luke 14:31 (structural): Immediate parallel within the same teaching unit — another illustration of 'counting the cost' (a king considering whether to go to war) reinforcing prudence and calculation before committing.
- Luke 14:33 (thematic): Direct conclusion of the 'counting the cost' argument — Jesus applies the calculation to discipleship, requiring renunciation of possessions to follow him.
- Matthew 7:24-27 (thematic): Uses a building metaphor (house on rock vs. sand) to teach wise preparation and the consequences of failure to plan — thematically parallel to assessing costs before building.
- Proverbs 24:3-4 (allusion): Wisdom-language about building a house by wisdom and understanding parallels the Old Testament wisdom background for prudent planning and estimating resources.
- Matthew 13:44-46 (thematic): Parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl depict willingly giving up all to obtain the kingdom — a complementary image to 'counting the cost' and accepting sacrifice for a greater gain.
Alternative generated candidates
- For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?
- For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?
Luke.14.29 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ινα: CONJ
- μηποτε: PART
- θεντος: VERB,perf,pass,ptc,gen,sg
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- θεμελιον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- μη: PART
- ισχυοντος: VERB,pres,act,ptc,gen,sg
- εκτελεσαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- παντες: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- θεωρουντες: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,pl,m
- αρξωνται: VERB,pres,m/p,ind,3,pl
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- εμπαιζειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
Parallels
- Luke 14:28 (structural): Immediate context — the preceding sentence about counting the cost of building the tower (why one must calculate resources before laying a foundation).
- Luke 14:33 (thematic): Cost of discipleship language — the paragraph concludes that one must renounce possessions; both passages teach the necessity of reckoning the cost before committing to Jesus.
- Matthew 7:24-27 (structural): Parable of the wise and foolish builders — uses the image of foundation and collapse to teach the consequences of failing to build properly (parallel teaching about foundations).
- Luke 6:47-49 (verbal): A closely related Lukan/Matthean version of the builder-parable emphasizing digging deep and laying a foundation on rock versus no foundation and collapse. Similar building/foundation imagery.
- 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 (thematic): Paul’s building/foundation metaphor — warns that one’s work will be tested and that foundations matter; echoes concern for proper foundations and ultimate judgment of construction.
Alternative generated candidates
- Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see begin to mock him,
- Otherwise, when he has laid the foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him,
Luke.14.30 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- λεγοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,masc
- οτι: CONJ
- Ουτος: DEM,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ανθρωπος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ηρξατο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- οικοδομειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- και: CONJ
- ουκ: PART,neg
- ισχυσεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- εκτελεσαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
Parallels
- Luke 14:28-29 (quotation): Immediate context: the same parable about counting the cost; v.28–29 introduces the builder example that v.30 completes.
- Luke 14:31-32 (structural): Follow-up illustration in the same teaching (the king pondering war) that parallels the logic of planning and assessing capacity begun in v.28–30.
- Matthew 7:24-27 (thematic): Parable of the wise and foolish builders—shared theme of building, preparation, and consequences when construction (or foundation) is inadequate.
- 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 (verbal): Paul’s imagery of building on a foundation and work tested by fire echoes the motif of construction, workmanship, and the outcome of what is built.
- Proverbs 24:3-4 (thematic): Wisdom literature on planning and building a house: emphasizes the need for proper planning and resources before constructing, paralleling the ‘count the cost’ theme.
Alternative generated candidates
- saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’”
- saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.'
Luke.14.31 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- βασιλευς: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- πορευομενος: VERB,pres,mid/pass,part,nom,sg,m
- ετερω: ADJ,dat,sg,m
- βασιλει: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- συμβαλειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- εις: PREP
- πολεμον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ουχι: PART
- καθισας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,m,sg
- πρωτον: ADV
- βουλευσεται: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,sg
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- δυνατος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- δεκα: NUM,nom,pl,m
- χιλιασιν: NOUN,dat,pl,n
- υπαντησαι: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- μετα: PREP
- εικοσι: NUM,card
- χιλιαδων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- ερχομενω: PTCP,pres,mid,dat,sg,m
- επ᾽αυτον: PREP+PRON,acc,sg,3,m
Parallels
- Luke 14:28-30 (structural): Immediate parallel in the same teaching — the tower-builder illustration about counting the cost before beginning a project; both passages teach prudent calculation before undertaking a risky enterprise.
- Luke 14:32-33 (structural): Direct continuation of the same illustrative argument (the king who decides not to fight); connects the military example to the call to renounce possessions and follow Jesus.
- Proverbs 20:18 (verbal): Both passages link counsel/strategy with warfare — "plans are established by counsel" echoes the idea of calculating odds before engaging in battle.
- Proverbs 24:6 (verbal): Very similar proverb about making war by wise counsel and the safety of many advisers; echoes the theme of prudent assessment and consultation before conflict.
- Matthew 7:24-27 (thematic): Different metaphor (building on rock vs. sand) but the same moral: one must count the cost and prepare wisely to avoid disaster — both stress foresight and sober appraisal before action.
Alternative generated candidates
- Or what king, going out to meet another king in war, will not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?
- Or what king, going out to meet another king in war, will not first sit down and consider whether with ten thousand he can oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand?
Luke.14.32 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- δε: CONJ
- μηγε: PART
- ετι: ADV
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- πορρω: ADV
- οντος: PART,pres,act,gen,sg,m
- πρεσβειαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αποστειλας: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,m,sg
- ερωτα: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- προς: PREP
- ειρηνην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Luke 14:28-31 (structural): Verses 28–31 form the same parabolic unit about calculating cost and seeking terms before conflict; v.32 continues the king/war illustration (sending an envoy to ask for peace).
- Matthew 18:15-17 (thematic): Both passages describe an escalating procedure when one party refuses to listen—sending others/witnesses or an envoy to seek reconciliation or impose terms.
- 2 Corinthians 5:20 (verbal): Paul calls believers 'ambassadors for Christ' who appeal for reconciliation/peace, echoing the imagery of sending envoys to obtain peace.
- 2 Samuel 10:4-6 (thematic): An Old Testament episode where a ruler sends envoys seeking terms (for peace) but the mission leads to insult and war, illustrating the risks and aims of sending ambassadors.
Alternative generated candidates
- And if not, while the other is yet a long way off, he will send an envoy and ask for terms of peace.
- If not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends an embassy and asks for terms of peace.
Luke.14.33 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ουτως: ADV
- ουν: CONJ
- πας: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- εξ: PREP
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- ος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- ουκ: PART,neg
- αποτασσεται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
- πασιν: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- εαυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- υπαρχουσιν: VERB,pres,act,part,dat,pl,m
- ου: PART,neg
- δυναται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
- ειναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- μαθητης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 16:24 (verbal): Jesus' call to discipleship: 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross'—parallel demand for radical self-renunciation required to be a disciple.
- Mark 8:34-35 (verbal): Very similar wording to Matthew 16:24/Mark context: denying oneself, taking up the cross, and the paradox of saving one's life—connects self-denial with true discipleship as in Luke 14:33.
- Luke 14:26-27 (structural): Immediate context in Luke: Jesus defines the cost of discipleship (hate family, carry cross) culminating in the requirement to renounce possessions in v.33—same discourse on the demands of following Jesus.
- Luke 18:22 (thematic): The rich ruler is told to 'sell all you have and give to the poor'—a concrete instance of the renunciation of possessions that Luke 14:33 portrays as necessary for discipleship.
- Matthew 19:21 (verbal): Jesus' counsel to the rich young man to 'go, sell what you possess and give to the poor' echoes Luke 14:33's call to abandon one's goods as part of true commitment to him.
Alternative generated candidates
- So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.
- So then, none of you can be my disciple who does not renounce all his possessions.
Luke.14.34 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Καλον: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- ουν: CONJ
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- αλας·εαν: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- δε: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- αλας: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- μωρανθη: VERB,aor,pass,subj,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- τινι: PRON,dat,sg,neut
- αρτυθησεται: VERB,fut,pass,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Matthew 5:13 (quotation): Uses the same salt metaphor: 'You are the salt of the earth' and the identical woe—if the salt loses its taste, with what will it be seasoned?—a direct parallel saying in the Sermon on the Mount.
- Mark 9:50 (verbal): Nearly identical wording: 'Salt is good... if the salt has lost its saltness, with what will you season it?' Adds the exhortation to 'have salt in yourselves,' echoing Luke's saying.
- Luke 14:35 (structural): Immediate continuation in Luke: completes the proverb about useless salt—'it is neither good for the soil nor for the manure heap'—showing the same teaching unit and outcome of salt losing its flavor.
- Colossians 4:6 (thematic): Paulic use of the salt/seasoning metaphor: 'Let your speech always be with grace... seasoned with salt,' applying the concept of saltiness as moral/spiritual effectiveness to Christian conduct.
Alternative generated candidates
- “Salt is good; but if salt has lost its taste, with what will it be seasoned?
- Salt is good; but if salt has lost its taste, with what will it be seasoned?
Luke.14.35 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ουτε: CONJ
- εις: PREP
- γην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ουτε: CONJ
- εις: PREP
- κοπριαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ευθετον: ADJ,nom,sg,neut
- εστιν·εξω: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- βαλλουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτο: PRON,acc,sg,neut
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- εχων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- ωτα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- ακουειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- ακουετω: VERB,pres,act,imp,3,sg
Parallels
- Luke 14:34 (structural): Immediate context: the salt metaphor continues—v.34 states the problem (salt losing taste); v.35 completes the image (no use for land or dung) and the concluding call to hear.
- Matthew 5:13 (verbal): Uses the same salt-of-the-earth imagery and the fate of salt that loses its taste—'if the salt has lost its taste... it is thrown out'—a close verbal parallel.
- Mark 9:50 (verbal): Reworks the salt metaphor ('salt is good... if the salt has lost its saltiness') and the ethical/eschatological warning about maintaining 'saltiness'.
- Mark 4:9 (quotation): Contains the same concluding formula 'He who has ears to hear, let him hear' used to call for attentive reception of Jesus' teaching.
- Luke 8:8 (quotation): Within the Parable of the Sower Luke also uses 'He who has ears to hear, let him hear,' showing the common Lukan editorial/disciplinary formula closing interpretive sayings.
Alternative generated candidates
- It is fit neither for the soil nor for the dunghill; they throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
- It is of no use for the soil or for the manure; they throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
Large crowds were traveling with him; and he turned and said to them,
"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple.
Whoever does not carry his own cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?
Otherwise, when he has laid the foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him,
saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.'"
Or what king, going out to make war against another king, will not first sit down and consider whether with ten thousand he is able to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand?
If not, while the other is yet far off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. So therefore, none of you can be my disciple who does not renounce all that he has.
"Salt is good; but if salt loses its taste, with what will it be seasoned?
It is neither fit for the soil nor for the dunghill; they throw it out. Let the one who has ears to hear, hear."