Luke 14:19

Luke 14:19, in plain English

The second guest says he just bought some oxen and needs to test them. Again, something good — but chosen over something infinitely better.

Why it's here

Notice the pattern: each excuse is about something that could easily wait. These aren't emergencies; they're preferences.

Who's speaking

Another guest makes his excuse, and the pattern of polite refusal continues.

Where it sits in the story

Five pairs of oxen aren't going anywhere. But this guest would rather play with his new purchase than accept a once-in-a-lifetime invitation.

The scholarly reading

The second excuse involves testing five yoke of oxen — a significant investment representing substantial agricultural wealth. The request to 'try them out' (dokimasai) suggests the priority of business over the banquet.

Language and setting

Five yoke of oxen would indicate a wealthy landowner, making this excuse parallel to the first — both represent material prosperity trumping divine invitation.

Voice

The second invited guest offers his excuse through the servant, prioritizing economic concerns over the master's feast.

Significance

Guest number two has an even more elaborate excuse: he's just bought ten oxen and wants to test them. Business before the banquet.

17When it was time for the banquet, he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’

18But one after another they all began to make excuses. The first one said, ‘I have bought a field, and I need to go see it. Please excuse me.’

19Another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out. Please excuse me.’

20Still another said, ‘I have married a wife, so I cannot come.’

21The servant returned and reported all this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the city, and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’

Read all of Luke 14 — The invited guests make excuses, so the host sends servants into the streets and alleys. God's table will be full — just not with who you'd expect.