What Does Luke 14:33 Mean in the King James?

So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

Luke 14:33 · 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.

THE KEY

The word translated “forsaketh” is also used for saying farewell, so the verse pictures discipleship as a real leave-taking from everything held as one’s own.

THE MEANING

Jesus’ words reach the reader now: everything you possess must be something you can relinquish; otherwise, you cannot be his disciple. The demand reaches into what you own rather than leaving it untouched.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

It undoes the belief that following Jesus can leave any possession permanently beyond the possibility of surrender.

THE ROOT

ἀποτάσσεται

apotassetai

GROWS FROM

τάσσω

tassō

To arrange, assign, or set in place; in the compound ⁨ἀποτάσσομαι⁩ (apotassomai), the word means to take leave, say farewell, or renounce.

“forsaketh” in this verse is apotassetai. The verb here means to take leave of or renounce, and its base ⁨τάσσω⁩ (tassō) carries the sense of arranging or assigning. Luke uses the same verb for bidding farewell to one’s household (Luke 9:61), giving “forsaking” the texture of a real departure: all you hold must be something you can leave.

ALSO GROWS

taxis: Order, arrangement

τάξις

This related word names an order or arrangement; it shares the base found in the verb for taking leave.

diatassō: Arrange, prescribe, direct

διατάσσω

This compound uses the same base for assigning or directing, while ⁨ἀποτάσσομαι⁩ carries the sense of taking leave.

THE PATTERN

Following exposes whether possessions remain impossible to release.

A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

Psalm 24:1 · KJVThe earth and all its fullness belong to the LORD, placing every human claim of possession beneath a larger belonging.

Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

Mark 10:21 · KJVThe man’s possessions become the specific thing he cannot release when Jesus says, “follow me.”

And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

Acts 2:45 · KJVHere the release of possessions becomes shared provision, distributed according to need.

THE THREAD

And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.

Luke 9:61 · KJV

Luke 9:61 uses the same verb, ⁨ἀποτάσσομαι⁩ (apotassomai), when a would-be follower asks to bid farewell to his household. That echo makes the word in Luke 14:33 tangible: forsaking means a leave-taking that can reach even what feels closest and most one’s own.

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