Luke 14:7

“And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, etc.] To the dinner at the Pharisee's house, particularly the lawyers, or Scribes and Pharisees: when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; the uppermost places at the table, which these men loved, coveted, and sought after; (see Gill on “<402306>Matthew 23:6”) saying unto them; as follows.”

“a parable--showing that His design was not so much to inculcate mere politeness or good manners, as underneath this to teach something deeper (Luk 14:11). chief rooms--principal seats, in the middle part of the couch on which they reclined at meals, esteemed the most honorable.”

“A parable - The word parable, here, means rather a “precept, an injunction.” He gave a “rule or precept” about the proper manner of attending a feast, or about the humility which ought to be manifested on such occasions. That were bidden - That were invited by the Pharisee. It seems that he had invited his friends to dine with him on that day. When he marked - When he observed or saw. Chief rooms - The word “rooms” here does not express the meaning of the original. It does not mean “apartments,” but “the higher places” at the table; those which were nearest the head of the table and to him who had invited them. See the notes at Matthew 23:6. That this was the common character of the…”

“He spake a parable - The ensuing discourse is so termed, because several parts are not to be understood literally. The general scope of it is, Not only at a marriage feast, but on every occasion, he that exalteth himself shall be abased, and he that abaseth himself shall be exalted. Luke 14:11”

“14:7 the seats of honor: Meals in the ancient world were rituals of social status. The place given to someone at the table was determined by their place in the social pecking order. The quality of the food served to each guest also depended on their status. These guests were jockeying for the places of highest honor.”

“put: Jdg 14:12; Pro 8:1; Eze 17:2; Mat 13:34 they: Luk 11:43, Luk 20:46; Mat 23:6; Mar 12:38, Mar 12:39; Act 8:18, Act 8:19; Phi 2:3; Jo3 1:9 Luke 14:8”