Luke 14:18 — Community Reflections

LUKE 14:18 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

“And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.”

But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me — they all alike (apo mias, from one, unanimously) began to make excuses. The first excuse is the purchased field: I just bought a field and must go see it. The implausibility is part of the point — no one buys a field without inspecting it. The excuse is a refusal dressed as an obligation.

Church Fathers on Luke 14:18

Our Lord had just before taught us to prepare our feasts for those who cannot repay, seeing that we shall have our reward at the resurrection of the just. Some one then, supposing the resurrection of the just to be one and the same with the kingdom of God, commends the above-mentioned recompense; for it follows, When one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said to him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.
Eusebius of Caesarea · 4th century

That man was carnal, and a careless hearer of the things which Christ delivered, for he thought the reward of the saints was to be bodily.
Cyril of Alexandria · 5th century

Or because he sighed for something afar off, and that bread which he desired lay before him. For who is that Bread of the kingdom of God but He who says, I am the living bread which came down from heaven? Open not your mouth, but your heart.
Augustine · 4th century

Read all 30 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain

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