Charles Ellicott Commentary Luke 14:13

"But when thou makest a feast, bid the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:" — Luke 14:13 (ASV)

When thou makest a feast.—Literally, as in Luke 5:29, a reception.

In practice, it hardly needs to be said, the form of obedience to the precept must, of necessity, vary with the varying phases of social life and with the lessons of experience. Relief given privately, thoughtfully, and discerningly may be better both for the giver, as less ostentatious, and for the receivers, as tending to the formation of a higher character, than the open feast of the Eastern form of benevolence.

The essence of the beatitude, as distinct from its form, remains for all who give freely to those who can give them no recompense in return, who have nothing to offer but their thanks and prayers.