Luke 14:30

30 and say, `This is the man who began to build, but couldn't finish!'

Luke 14:30 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 14:30

Saying, this man began to build
He set out well, he promised great things, and made a considerable bluster and stir, as if he would carry things at once to a very high pitch:

and was not able to finish;
it was all noise and talk, and nothing else: falling off from a profession of religion, exposes men to contempt and scorn; such are not only cast out of churches with disgrace, but are despised by men, by wicked men; and are a reproach, a proverb, and a taunt in all places; and even are mocked by devils too.

Luke 14:30 In-Context

28 "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Don't you sit down and estimate the cost, to see if you have enough capital to complete it?
29 If you don't, then when you have laid the foundation but can't finish, all the onlookers start making fun of you
30 and say, `This is the man who began to build, but couldn't finish!'
31 "Or again, suppose one king is going out to wage war with another king. Doesn't he first sit down and consider whether he, with his ten thousand troops, has enough strength to meet the other one, who is coming against him with twenty thousand?
32 If he hasn't, then while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation to inquire about terms for peace.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.