Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Luke 14:19
And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
19. I go to prove them ] The second has not even the decency to plead any necessity. He merely says ‘I am going to test my oxen,’ and implies ‘my will is sufficient reason.’
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
I go to prove them – To try them, to see if he had made a good bargain. It is worthy of remark that this excuse was very trifling. He could as easily have tried them at any other time as then, and his whole conduct shows that he was more disposed to gratify himself than to accept the invitation of his friend. He was selfish; just as all sinners are, who, to gratify their own worldliness and sins, refuse to accept the offers of the gospel.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
15-24. when one . . . heard . . . hesaid, Blessed, c.As our Lord’s words seemed to hold forth thefuture “recompense” under the idea of a great Feast, thethought passes through this man’s mind, how blessed they would be whoshould be honored to sit down to it. Our Lord’s reply is in substancethis: “The great Feast is prepared already the invitations areissued, but declined; the feast, notwithstanding, shall notwant abundance of guests; but not one of its present contemnerswhoshall yet come to sue for admissionshall be allowed to taste ofit.” This shows what was lacking in the seemingly piousexclamation of this man. It was Balaam’s, “Let me die thedeath of the righteous, and let my last end be like his” (Nu23:10), without any anxiety about living his life; fondlywishing that all were right with him at last, while allheedless of the precious present.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen,…. To plough the field with,
and I go to prove them: this also being at, or near evening, was an unsuitable time to go into the field with yokes of oxen to try them, how they would draw the plough, and work in the field; the morning would have been a much more proper time:
I pray thee have me excused; to the master of the feast: this man represents also the carnal and worldly Jews, who preferred temporal things before spiritual.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
To prove them ( ). He could have tested them before buying. The oxen would not run away or be stolen.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen,” (kai heteros eipen zeuge boon egorasa pente) “And another of a different king of excuse said, I just, bought five yoke of oxen,” and put his immediate priority in them, for where one’s treasure is “there will his heart be also,” as a fact of life, Mat 6:21.
2) “And I go to prove them:” (kai poreuomai dokimasai auto) “And I am going forth to prove or test them,” to see how good they are, what kind of a deal I have just made. No argument is made that it was necessary. He selfishly chose to do it, 1Jn 2:17-19.
3) I pray thee have me excused.” (eroto se eche me paretemenon) “I ask you, just have me begged off (excused) at this late hour,” as a respectful courtesy, while I do my “thing”, what I carnally please to do, Jdg 21:25. In each of these two cases earthly possessions and covetousness kept the parties from the feast.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(19) Five yoke of oxen.The number was one which came within the reach of any peasant farmer of moderate competence. (Comp. Elishas twelve yoke of oxen, 1Ki. 19:19.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
“And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am on my way to prove them. I beg you have me excused.’ ”
The second of those invited excused himself, making as his excuse the fact that the had bought five yoke of oxen and needed to go and test them out. Again he was a wealthy man. A poorer man would be lucky to have one or two oxen. Again the oxen were bought on his behalf by his agent, and no doubt his final approval was needed. But again late in the day was not the best time to choose for the purpose. This too was clearly an excuse. He was too taken up with his occupation to have the time or the inclination to attend the supper. The warning here was of allowing our jobs and occupations to so possess us that they prevent us responding to God’s invitation into the Kingly Rule of God, because of what it might involve. There is no necessity that should prevent us responding to that.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
Ver. 19. I have bought five yoke of oxen ] This answers those that plead their necessities, and that they seek not superfluities (as farm upon farm, &c.), but only a sufficiency. What could be more necessary than oxen, since without them he could not follow his husbandry? Worldliness is a great hindrance to heaven, though a man cannot be charged with any great covetousness. These all excused themselves out of heaven, by bringing apologies why they could not go to heaven. Never yet any came to hell but had some pretence for their coming thither. Our vile hearts will persuade us that there is some sense in sinning, and some reason to be mad.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Luk 14:19 . , another; his excuse is also highly respectable, though nothing more than a decent excuse; the preoccupation very real, though the apology lame. Five yoke of oxen a very important purchase in the owner’s eyes.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
another. App-124.
go = go forth.
prove = try.
have = hold.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Luk 14:19. , I have bought) 1Co 7:30.-, five) A purchase by no means small.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Reciprocal: Mar 4:15 – these
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
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If I cared to moralize on this subject, I would say this man was more interested in his temporal products than in the good things offered by the “certain man.”
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Luk 14:19. I have bought five yoke of oxen. This one too is hindered by his possessions, but he does not plead necessity; he was going to prove them, had started as it were, and preferred not to alter his plan. The first represents one so pressed with business, that he thinks he cannot find time to attend to a higher obligation which he still acknowledges; the second, one so interested in his worldly plans that he will not relinquish them, though he feels that he must excuse his conduct