John Gill Commentary Luke 14:10

"But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest place; that when he that hath bidden thee cometh, he may say to thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have glory in the presence of all that sit at meat with thee." — Luke 14:10 (ASV)

But when you are bidden
To an entertainment, and the time is come,

go and sit down in the lowest room :
place yourself at the lower end of the table, or in the most inferior seat; which will show humility and lowliness of mind, and prevent shame and mortification; since there can be no putting into a lower place, and there may be an advance to a higher:

that when he that bade you comes ;
into the dining room, and observe in what place you are:

he may say to you, friend, go up higher ;
to a more honourable seat at table, pointing to it, and saying, there is such a seat empty, go up and take it, it best becomes you:

then shall you have worship ;
or glory, as the word signifies; honour and esteem, instead of shame and blushing; not only from the master of the feast,

but in the presence of them that sit at meat with you ;
and from them, who will take notice of the honour done you, and will entertain a high opinion of you, and commend you for your humility and modesty. Advice, like to this, is given by Solomon in (Proverbs 25:6Proverbs 25:7) and which is explained by the Jews in like manner as here ^F11 :

``Ben Azzai used to say, descend, from your place two or three degrees, and sit; it is better that it should be said to you, (hle) , "go up", than that it should be said to you, descend, as it is said in (Proverbs 25:7) .'' Which is elsewhere <sup>F12</sup> thus expressed: ``R. Akiba taught it (or expounded, (Proverbs 25:7) ) in the name of R. Simeon ben Azzai, remove from your place two or three seats, and sit until it is said to you, (hle) , "go up"; but do not go up (i.e. first,) for it will be said to you descend; it is better that it should be said to you go up, go up, than that it should be said to you go down, go down: and Ben Hillell used to say, my humiliation is my exaltation, and my exaltation is my humiliation.''

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FOOTNOTES:

• F11: Abot R. Nathan, c. 25. fol. 6. 4.
• F12: Vajikra Rabba, sect. 1. fol. 146. 4. Vid. Shemot Rabba, sect. 45. fol. 142. 1.