Luke 14:32

32 But if not, [while] [the other] is still far away, he sends an ambassador [and] asks {for terms of} peace.

Luke 14:32 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 14:32

Or else, while the other is a great way off
Upon his march, with resolution to come up and give battle, though as yet at a distance:

he sendeth an
ambassage;
or men, with an embassy to him:

and desireth conditions of peace;
greatly to his disadvantage and reproach: so to give out, and leave off fighting with sin, Satan, and the world, and make peace with them, is shameful and scandalous; but on the other hand, such who have engaged in this war, should pursue it with rigour and courage; considering that God is on their side; that Christ is the captain of their salvation; that the Spirit of God that is in them, is greater than he that is in the world; that angels encamp around them; that it is a good cause they are engaged in; that they have good weapons, the whole armour of God provided for them; are sure of victory, and shall at last enjoy the crown of life, righteousness and glory.

Luke 14:32 In-Context

30 saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish!'

31 Or what king, going out to engage another king in battle, does not sit down first [and] deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand.

32 But if not, [while] [the other] is still far away, he sends an ambassador [and] asks {for terms of} peace.

33 In the [same] way, therefore, every [one] of you who does not renounce all his own possessions {cannot be} my disciple.

34 "Now salt [is] good, but if salt becomes tasteless, with what will it be made salty?

Footnotes

• [a]. *Here "[while]" is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle ("is")
• [b]. *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("asks") has been translated as a finite verb
• [c]. Literally "the things with reference to"