New Testament
Luke 14:19
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
Another said, 'I just bought 5 yoke of oxen and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.'
Compare translations
And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
What Luke 14:19 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, a man responds to an invitation, explaining that he has just purchased five yoke of oxen, which are pairs of oxen used for plowing. He is eager to test them out and asks to be excused from the gathering. This reflects a common theme of prioritizing worldly concerns over spiritual commitments. The man’s excuse highlights how people often let material possessions and responsibilities take precedence over important spiritual opportunities. His focus on the oxen symbolizes how distractions can lead individuals away from participating in significant events, such as the call to follow Jesus. This verse serves as a reminder of the tendency to allow everyday tasks and possessions to interfere with our spiritual lives and commitments. It challenges readers to evaluate their own priorities and consider whether they are allowing earthly matters to overshadow their relationship with God.
How to apply Luke 14:19 to your life
This verse encourages us to reflect on our own priorities. Are we allowing daily responsibilities and material possessions to distract us from our spiritual growth? It's important to evaluate what truly matters and ensure that we make time for our relationship with God, even amidst our busy lives.
Curated for this public verse page. Luke Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Paul's story: The Stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:57–8:2)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Paul
Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002724966). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Bethlehem, West Bank; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Bethlehem
David's hometown, and the town where Jesus was born.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Luke 14:19
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Luke 14:19
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Luke
- Author
- Luke the physician
- Written
- Around AD 60-62
- Genre
- Gospel and history
- Original Audience
- Gentile Christians (addressed to Theophilus)
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Luke 14:19 mean?
Luke 14:19 illustrates how people often prioritize their material possessions and daily responsibilities over spiritual commitments. The man in the verse asks to be excused from an invitation because he wants to test his newly purchased oxen, symbolizing how distractions can lead us away from important spiritual opportunities.
What is the significance of the oxen in Luke 14:19?
The oxen in Luke 14:19 represent material possessions and worldly concerns that can distract individuals from spiritual commitments. The man's focus on testing the oxen highlights the tendency to let everyday tasks overshadow our relationship with God.
How does Luke 14:19 relate to priorities?
Luke 14:19 challenges readers to examine their priorities by showing how the man's excuse reflects a common tendency to prioritize worldly matters over spiritual growth and commitments.
What lesson can we learn from Luke 14:19?
The lesson from Luke 14:19 is to be mindful of how daily responsibilities and material possessions can distract us from our spiritual lives. It encourages us to evaluate our priorities and ensure we make time for our relationship with God.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.