Luke 14:1-13 records a Sabbath meal at the home of a leading Pharisee. In this passage Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath, then teaches two lessons growing out of what He observes at the table: one about humility, and one about generosity that expects nothing in return.
Overview of Luke 14:1-13
One Sabbath, Jesus went to eat in the home of a leading Pharisee, and those in attendance were watching Him closely. Right there before Him was a man with dropsy. So Jesus asked the experts in the law and the Pharisees, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” But they remained silent. Then Jesus took hold of the man, healed him, and sent him on his way. And He asked them, “Which of you whose son or ox falls into a pit on the Sabbath day will not immediately pull him out?” And they were unable to answer these questions. (Luke 14:1-6)
Jesus’ Teaching on Humility
When Jesus noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, He told them a parable: “When you are invited to a wedding banquet, do not sit in the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited. Then the host who invited both of you will come and tell you, ‘Give this man your seat.’ And in humiliation, you will have to take the last place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the last place, so that your host will come and tell you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in front of everyone at the table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14:7-11)
Jesus’ Teaching on Generosity Without Repayment
Then Jesus said to the man who had invited Him, “When you host a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or brothers or relatives or rich neighbors. Otherwise, they may invite you in return, and you will be repaid. But when you host a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. (Luke 14:12-13)
What This Passage Teaches
Together, these two teachings point in the same direction. Do not seek honor for yourself, and do not give only where you expect something back. Real hospitality and real humility both look past what we can gain.