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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - Luke 14:28 - 14:28
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Build a tower (purgon oikodomēsai). A common metaphor, either a tower in the city wall like that by the Pool of Siloam (Luk 13:4) or a watchtower in a vineyard (Mat 21:33) or a tower-shaped building for refuge or ornament as here. This parable of the rash builder has the lesson of counting the cost.
Sit down (kathisas). Attitude of deliberation.
First (prōton). First things first. So in Luk 14:31.
Count (psēphizei). Common verb in late writers, but only here and Rev 13:18 in the N.T. The verb is from psēphos, a stone, which was used in voting and so counting. Calculate is from the Latin calculus, a pebble. To vote was to cast a pebble (tithēmi psēphon). Luke has Paul using “deposit a pebble” for casting his vote (Act 26:10).
The cost (tēn dapanēn). Old and common word, but here only in the N.T. from daptō, to tear, consume, devour. Expense is something which eats up one’s resources.
Whether he hath wherewith to complete it (ei echei eis apartismon). If he has anything for completion of it. Apartismon is a rare and late word (in the papyri and only here in the N.T.). It is from apartizō, to finish off (ap- and artizō like our articulate), to make even or square. Cf. exērtismenos in 2Ti 3:17.