Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:

People's New Testament

14:16 A certain man gave a great supper. This parable was spoken in reply to the remark in Lu 14:15, and shows that the world is not ready to eat bread in the kingdom of God. Compare Mt 22:1-14.

Wesley's Notes

14:16 Then said he - Continuing the allusion. A certain man made a great supper - As if he had said, All men are not sensible of this happiness. Many might have a part in it, and will not.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

16. a great supper-(Compare Isa 25:6).

bade many-historically, the Jews (see on [1669]Mt 22:3); generally, those within the pale of professed discipleship.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

14:15-24 In this parable observe the free grace and mercy of God shining in the gospel of Christ, which will be food and a feast for the soul of a man that knows its own wants and miseries. All found some pretence to put off their attendance. This reproves the Jewish nation for their neglect of the offers of Christ's grace. It shows also the backwardness there is to close with the gospel call. The want of gratitude in those who slight gospel offers, and the contempt put upon the God of heaven thereby, justly provoke him. The apostles were to turn to the Gentiles, when the Jews refused the offer; and with them the church was filled. The provision made for precious souls in the gospel of Christ, has not been made in vain; for if some reject, others will thankfully accept the offer. The very poor and low in the world, shall be as welcome to Christ as the rich and great; and many times the gospel has the greatest success among those that labour under worldly disadvantages and bodily infirmities. Christ's house shall at last be filled; it will be so when the number of the elect is completed.