But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus flips the script on what constitutes a truly valuable "feast" or reception. Instead of inviting those who can repay you with status or favors, He directs us to extend invitations to the marginalized—the poor, the disabled, the outcast—highlighting that true generosity is measured by its lack of expectation for earthly return.
But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is teaching on humility and generosity, using a parable to critique the self-serving ambition of those invited to a meal. He just warned them not to seek the place of honor, explaining that true honor comes from humility. Now, He shifts to the host, advising them to invite those who can't return the favor, like the poor and disabled, rather than friends or the wealthy.
Ever felt like your social life is a bit… repetitive? Jesus flips the script on who we should be inviting.
Jesus is teaching us about the nature of true generosity, contrasting it with the self-serving way people often conduct their social lives. When we invite people just because they can 'return the favor' – inviting friends, family, or the wealthy – it's more of a transaction than a selfless act. Jesus calls this out, highlighting that such hospitality is merely 'commercial exchange' and doesn't hold value in God's sight.
Instead, he directs us to include those who can offer nothing back. The 'poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind' represent those on the fringes of society, those who are often overlooked and certainly cannot repay an invitation with a lavish return feast. This isn't about excluding loved ones, but about expanding our circles to include those who are often excluded by society.
What if the greatest blessings come not from what we gain, but from what we give away freely?
Jesus contrasts the motivation for inviting friends and neighbors (who might invite you back) with the motivation for inviting the marginalized. The former is driven by expectation and reciprocity – a kind of social debt. The latter, however, is a selfless act, a true demonstration of love and generosity because there is no earthly 'recompense' expected.
This selfless giving is what Jesus calls 'blessed.' The blessing isn't necessarily a material return in this life, but a spiritual reward that finds its ultimate fulfillment 'at the resurrection of the just.' This points to an eternal perspective, where God sees and honors true generosity, especially when it's directed towards those who can offer nothing in return.
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This passage directly echoes Jesus's teaching about the Great Judgment, where welcoming the stranger and feeding the hungry are central acts of righteousness, aligning with the spirit of hosting those who cannot reciprocate.
Nehemiah 8:10This Old Testament account shows a similar concern for the less fortunate, as Nehemiah instructs the people to share their celebratory feast with those who had nothing prepared, demonstrating a long-standing principle of communal care.
Proverbs 19:17This proverb highlights the divine favor shown to those who show mercy to the poor, which strongly supports Jesus's promise of blessing in Luke 14:14 for those who host the destitute.
1 Corinthians 1:27Paul's argument that God chooses the weak and humble to shame the strong and wise resonates with Jesus's instruction to invite the marginalized, suggesting that God's kingdom often elevates those society overlooks.
barnesLuke 14:13: "But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:"
The poor - Those who are destitute of comfortable food. The maimed - Those who are deprived of any member of their body, as an arm or a leg or who have not the use of them so that they can labor for their own support.
vincentLuke 14:13: "But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:"
Feast (δοχήν)Or reception. Used by Luke only. See on Luke 5:29.
Jesus flips the script on what constitutes a truly valuable "feast" or reception. Instead of inviting those who can repay you with status or favors, He directs us to extend invitations to the marginalized—the poor, the disabled, the outcast—highlighting that true generosity is measured by its lack of expectation for earthly return.
Jesus is teaching on humility and generosity, using a parable to critique the self-serving ambition of those invited to a meal. He just warned them not to seek the place of honor, explaining that true honor comes from humility. Now, He shifts to the host, advising them to invite those who can't return the favor, like the poor and disabled, rather than friends or the wealthy.
Jesus is teaching on humility and generosity, using a parable to critique the self-serving ambition of those invited to a meal. He just warned them not to seek the place of honor, explaining that true honor comes from humility. Now, He shifts to the host, advising them to invite those who can't return the favor, like the poor and disabled, rather than friends or the wealthy.
"But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind," — Jesus flips the script on what constitutes a truly valuable "feast" or reception. Instead of inviting those who can repay you with status or favors, He directs us to extend invitations to the margina…
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Last reviewed October 2026