What Does Luke 14:10 Mean in the King James?

But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.

Luke 14:10 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

The seat at the edge becomes public honor when the host calls the guest upward.

THE MEANING

You are at the farthest seat; then the host calls you “Friend” and invites you upward before the whole table. The honor here is public recognition, visible to everyone gathered. Your place changes through another’s word.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

It undoes the belief that honor is secured by claiming the most prominent place for yourself.

THE ROOT

ἔσχατον

eschaton

GROWS FROM

ἐσχατ-

eschat-

Last, farthest, or at the edge.

“lowest” in this verse is eschaton. The Greek calls this the eschaton, the “last” or “farthest” place, giving the seat an edge-of-the-room quality as well as a low rank. The host’s invitation then moves you upward from that edge, making the change in standing a change of place too.

ALSO GROWS

eschatōs: Finally; at the last.

ἐσχάτως

It carries the same sense of reaching the last point, echoing the guest’s place at the far end.

eschatia: A remote region or borderland.

ἐσχατιά

It preserves the root’s sense of an outer edge, sharpening the spatial image of the seat.

δόξα

doxa

GROWS FROM

δοξ-

dox-

Honor, reputation, or recognized standing.

The KJV’s “worship” here is doxa: honor or recognized weight in the sight of the others at the table. Its word family connects honor with being glorified or distinguished, so the host’s words give the guest visible standing among the people gathered.

ALSO GROWS

doxazō: To glorify or honor.

δοξάζω

It shows the same root in the act of giving honor, as the host does by calling the guest upward.

endoxos: Held in honor; distinguished.

ἔνδοξος

It names the standing that the host’s public recognition gives the guest.

THE PATTERN

Honor comes as an elevation received from another, rather than secured by claiming the prominent place.

For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.

Proverbs 25:7 · KJVLike the guest in Luke, a person is better raised by another’s invitation than lowered after taking a prominent place.

He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s, and he hath set the world upon them.

1 Samuel 2:8 · KJVThe one who begins at the lowest place is lifted into honor by God’s action.

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

1 Peter 5:6 · KJVElevation comes from God’s hand, in its time, rather than from claiming a higher place.

THE THREAD

How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?

John 5:44 · KJV

The word translated “honour” here and “worship” in Luke is ⁨δόξα⁩ (doxa), meaning honor or recognized weight. Luke pictures a host assigning public standing, while John asks whose recognition gives that standing its weight.

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