The Parable of the Big Dinner

A man was giving a big dinner, and he invited many; and at the dinner hour he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, 'Come; for everything is ready now.' But they all alike began to make excuses...

—Luke 14:16-18a

Another Parable about Wrong Priorities

The parable of the 'big dinner,' words Jesus used to introduce another parable, is yet again about wrong priorities. Jesus had already taught about wrong priorities regarding money in view of eternity (Luke 12:16-21; P7). This parable (Luke 14:16-24) comes with less context than others, yet Luke gives a hint.

When one of those who were reclining at the table with Him heard this, he said to Him, 'Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!'

—Luke 14:15

In response to this statement, Jesus then 'said to him' (Luke 14:16) that a man gave a big dinner for many, yet they all made excuses (v 18). The setting was a dinner party; how fitting to share a parable of a big dinner!

As discussed elsewhere (see P9), Jesus had been invited to a dinner and observed how people chose the best places for themselves (Luke 14:7). In response to this self-exalting attitude, Jesus shared a strikiung parable reagrding humility (vv 8-10), concluding that humbling ourselves leads to exaltation, while self-exaltation leads to humiliation (v 11). When Jesus then instructed the host of that dinner to invite people who can't repay Him (v 13), rather than the rich who would (v 12), a man exclaimed that it is blessed to be eating in the kingdom of God (v 15). That man seemed to have gotten the priorities right. Jesus used it as an opportunity to reiterate the importance of right priorities in view of eternity.

The Parable of the Big Dinner

The main hint regarding context is Luke 14:15. This time Jesus did not talk about a wrong attitude, but about wrong priorities. The previous parable (vv 8-10) was about attitude at dinner; this parable (vv 16-24) was about wrong priorities towards a dinner invitation. The parable reveals more than showing respect to the host of a big dinner who had made great effort. In view of the context, which speaks of the kingdom of God, the parable carries an eschatological aspect: will we accept God's invitation for the big dinner in the kingdom of God, or will be make excuses why we can't attend? Priorities matter—both on earth, but more so in view of eternity.

Summary of the Parable

A man organised a 'big dinner' and 'invited many' (Luke 14:16). Here is a generous man who made great effort and had big expenses to organise that dinner. No occasion for the dinner is given (like the wedding for a son in Matthew 22, where the point of the parable is different). After the preparations, the 'dinner hour' had come and invitations were sent out (Luke 14:17). Everything was ready. One would expect for people to gladly accept such an invitation and make arrangements, even adjusting their own plans. Yet the parable takes a surprising twist: 'they all alike began to make excuses' (v 18a). Be it a purchase (v 18b), an investment (v 19) or marriage (v 20), they all had themselves excused. This must have been a shock to the audience, notably as they were at a fine dinner. Jesus used the dinner setting to speak of right attitude and right priorities. Now, land purchases, business investments and marriage are all good things. They didn't go and rob a bank, sell some drugs or spend money at the casino while getting drunk. This goes to show that even good things in life can be a hindrance to right priorities.

Interpretation of the Parable

In the conclusion of the parable, Jesus spoke of these people who were invited but who made excuses as not tasting the dinner (v 24). Their attitude was offensive to the generous host. They forfeit their privilige of the invitation by excuses based on wrong priorities. The privilege of the big dinner was, instead, given to the outcast of society, who gladly accepted (vv 21-23). Note how the invitation is extended to 'the poor and crippled and blind and lame' (v 21), just as the instruction to the dinner host of the actual dinner Jesus was present at (v 13). Both statesments were made at the same dinner setting. At the actual dinner the people had a wrong attitude; at the parabolic dinner people had wrong priorities. Jesus followed up the parable with making sure the priorities are clear (Luke 12:25ff).

Conclusion

Jesus shared a striking parable about a generous man giving a big dinner for many people who refused to come by making excuses. It illustrates wrong priorities. The setting in which Jesus shared this parable was a dinner, at which Jesus already pointed out wrong attitudes and gave instructions to invite the outcast who can't repay rather than the rich who can. Doing the former will bring rewards from God. Not accepting a generous invitation comes as warning in view of God's eschatological invitation to eat bread in the kingdom of God. We must have right priorities in life, especially in view of eternity. Even the good things in life must have right priorities.

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