A.T. Robertson Commentary Luke 14:20

"And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come." — Luke 14:20 (ASV)

I cannot come (ου δυναμα ελθειν). Less polite than the others but a more plausible pretence if he wanted to make it so. The law excused a newly married man from war (Deuteronomy 24:5), "but not from social courtesy" (Ragg). The new wife would probably have been glad to go with him to the feast if asked. But see 1 Corinthians 7:33. There is here as often a sharp difference between the excuses offered and the reasons behind them.