Albert Barnes Commentary Luke 14:8-9

"When thou art bidden of any man to a marriage feast, sit not down in the chief seat; lest haply a more honorable man than thou be bidden of him, and he that bade thee and him shall come and say to thee, Give this man place; and then thou shalt begin with shame to take the lowest place." — Luke 14:8-9 (ASV)

Art bidden. You are invited.

To a wedding. A wedding was commonly attended with a feast or banquet.

The highest room. The seat at the table nearest the head.

A more honourable man. A more aged man, or a man of higher rank. It should be noted that our Saviour did not consider the courtesies of life to be beneath his notice. His chief design here was, no doubt, to reprove the pride and ambition of the Pharisees; but, in doing it, he teaches us that religion does not violate the courtesies of life.

It does not teach us to be rude, forward, pert, assuming, or to despise the proprieties of refined social interaction. It teaches humility and kindness, and a desire to make all happy, and a willingness to occupy our appropriate situation and rank in life; and this is true politeness, for true politeness is a desire to make all others happy and a readiness to do whatever is necessary to make them so.

Those who suppose that because they are professed Christians, they must be rude and uncivil, and violate all the distinctions in society, have utterly mistaken the nature of religion. The example and precepts of Jesus Christ were utterly unlike such conduct. He teaches us to be kind and to treat people according to their rank and character (Romans 13:7; 1 Peter 2:17).