Luke 14:28

Luke 14:28 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
• New International Version (NIV)“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?
• English Standard Version (ESV)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?
• New King James Version (NKJV)For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—

Context of Luke 14:28

26“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother, and wife and children, and brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27Whoever does not carry his own cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, wanting to build a tower, doesn’t sit down first and compute the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? 29Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish the tower, all who see it will begin to make fun of him. 30They will say, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish!’

Luke 14:28 word by word

Τίς γὰρ ἐξ ὑμῶν θέλων πύργον οἰκοδομῆσαι οὐχὶ πρῶτον καθίσας ψηφίζει τὴν δαπάνην εἰ ἔχει εἰς ἀπαρτισμόν;Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• whichτίςtis · which?G5101
• ofἐκek ex · out fromG1537
• youσύsu · youG4771
• intendingθέλωthelō ethelō · to will/desireG2309
• toπρόςpros · to/withG4314
• buildοἰκοδομέωoikodomeō · to buildG3618
• a towerπύργοςpurgos · towerG4444
• sittethκαθίζωkathizō · to seatG2523
• notοὐχίouchi · not!G3780
• firstπρῶτονprōton · firstG4412
• and countethψηφίζωpsēphizō · to calculateG5585
• the costδαπάνηdapanē · costG1160
• whetherεἰei · ifG1487
• he haveἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• to finishἀπαρτισμόςapartismos · completionG535

Cross-references for Luke 14:28

• Genesis 11:4Then they said, “Come, let’s build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens so that we may make a name for ourselves. Otherwise we will be scattered across the face of the entire earth.”
• Proverbs 24:27Establish your work outside and get your fields ready; afterward build your house.
• Luke 14:33In the same way therefore not one of you can be my disciple if he does not renounce all his own possessions.
• Joshua 24:19Joshua warned the people, “You will not keep worshiping the Lord, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God who will not forgive your rebellion or your sins.
• Matthew 8:20Jesus said to him, “Foxes have dens, and the birds in the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
• Matthew 10:22And you will be hated by everyone because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
• Matthew 20:22Jesus answered, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink the cup I am about to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.”
• Acts 21:13Then Paul replied, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be tied up, but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
• 1 Thessalonians 3:4For in fact when we were with you, we were telling you in advance that we would suffer affliction, and so it has happened, as you well know.
• 2 Peter 1:13Indeed, as long as I am in this tabernacle, I consider it right to stir you up by way of a reminder,

Commentaries on Luke 14:28

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 28To build a tower - Probably this means no more than a dwelling house, on the top of which, according to the Asiatic manner, battlements were built, both to take the fresh air on, and to serve for refuge from and defense against an enemy. It was also used for prayer and meditation. This parable represents the absurdity of those who undertook to be disciples of Christ, without considering what difficulties they were to meet with, and what strength they had…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 28Intending to build a tower - See Matthew 21:33. A tower was a place of defense or observation, erected on high places or in vineyards, to guard against enemies. It was made “high,” so as to enable one to see an enemy when he approached; and “strong,” so that it could not be easily taken. Counteth the cost - Makes a calculation how much it will cost to build it.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 25-35Verses 25-35 Though the disciples of Christ are not all crucified, yet they all bear their cross, and must bear it in the way of duty. Jesus bids them count upon it, and then consider of it. Our Saviour explains this by two similitudes; the former showing that we must consider the expenses of our religion; the latter, that we must consider the perils of it. Sit down and count the cost; consider it will cost the mortifying of sin, even the most beloved…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 25-35large crowds were traveling with Jesus: Jesus was very popular, but he was about to teach that the cost of following him was also very high.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 28-3328-33. which of you, &c.--Common sense teaches men not to begin any costly work without first seeing that they have wherewithal to finish. And he who does otherwise exposes himself to general ridicule. Nor will any wise potentate enter on a war with any hostile power without first seeing to it that, despite formidable odds (two to one), he be able to stand his ground; and if he has no hope of this, he will feel that nothing remains for him but to make the…Read the comment

Topics related to Luke 14:28

• Jesus, the Christ
• Prudence
• Salvation
• Seekers
• Self-Denial
• Tower

In the dictionaries

• Compel
• Condition
• Consent
• Consult
• Exalt
• Excuse
• Halt
• Hate
• Worship
• Architecture

Commentaries on Luke 14

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings