Albert Barnes Commentary Luke 14:7

"And he spake a parable unto those that were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief seats; saying unto them," — Luke 14:7 (ASV)

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 should 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 Barnes on Matthew 23:6.

That this was the common character of the Pharisees appears from Matthew 23:6.