^14:7Then²¹ when Jesus²² noticed how the guests²³ chose the places of honor,²⁴ he told them a parable. He said to them, ^14:8“When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast,²⁵ do not take²⁶ the place of honor, because a person more distinguished than you may have been invited by your host.²⁷

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Footnotes

21 Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
22 Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
23 Grk “those who were invited.”
24 Or “the best places.” The “places of honor” at the meal would be those closest to the host.
25 Or “banquet.” This may not refer only to a wedding feast, because this term can have broader sense (note the usage in Esth 2:18; 9:22 ). However, this difference does not affect the point of the parable.
26 Grk “do not recline in the place of honor.” 1st century middle eastern meals were not eaten while sitting at a table, but while reclining on one’s side on the floor with the head closest to the low table and the feet farthest away.
27 Grk “by him”; the referent (the host) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him,

NIVNew International Version (2011)

When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

He told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they would choose the best places for themselves: “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, don’t sit in the place of honor, because a more distinguished person than you may have been invited by your host.

NLTNew Living Translation

When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice: “When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited?

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Now he told a parable to those who had been invited when he noticed how they were choosing for themselves the places of honor, saying to them, “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not recline at the table in the place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you has been invited by him,

KJV 1900King James Version

And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them, When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;

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