Luke 14:16-20 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Then said he unto him, &c.— "What you say is very true; my kingdom is full of blessings, though many despise and reject them; as may be represented in the followingparable: A certain man made a great feast, which, as usual in those countries and times, was at supper, and invited many guests. So Christ, now in the end of the world, has made plentiful provisions of gospel-grace for spiritual refreshment and perfect happiness, that sinners may be holy here, and blessed for ever; and he freely invites all that hear the gospel, beginning with the Jewish nation, to accept those rich provisions for their present relief and comfort, and for their eternal salvation. And when the feast was fully prepared, and but few of the guests were come in, the master sent his servant again to them who had been invited, to let them know that all things were now ready for their entertainment, and to bid them come without any further delay. So Christ, having called the Jews by his personal ministry, and by the preaching of his servants, whom he sent to the cities of Judea, with little success, he commissionedtheapostlesandevangelistsafterhisresurrection,torenewhisgracious invitation, and to assure them that now all things were thoroughly prepared, that the great work of atonement was actually finished, that the Spirit was poured out from on high to bear witness and give efficacy to it, and that he was still willing to receive every one who should come by faith to him. And this is the language of the gospel, where ever it is preached. And yet the invited guests, as it were by common consent, put off their coming upon various pretences: one alleged that he had bought a piece of ground, and must needs go to see how the bargain was like to prove; and therefore begged to be excused: another pleaded that he had just bought five yoke of oxen, and must go to try whether they were fit for his business; and therefore desired that he might be excused: and another insisted, that he was lately married, and therefore peremptorily declared he could not come. So the Jews in general, and the scribes and Pharisees in particular, and many others that fit under the gospel, reject its gracious invitations on frivolous and carnal pretences; some preferring their worldly gains and advantages, and others their sensual ease and pleasure, to Christ and the blessings of eternal life; and all the impenitent are for shifting off a present attention to his calls, which carries in it a real denial, though they are ashamed to avow it in plain terms." See the notes on Matthew 22:1; Matthew 22:46.