Luke 14:28For which of you, desiring to build a tower, doesn't first sit down and count the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it?
The setting
Judean countryside, ~30 AD. Jesus teaching crowds following Him, using everyday construction imagery everyone understood in building-heavy Roman Palestine...
The emotion here: loving but urgent warning to unprepared crowds
The original word
dapanē (δαπάνην) — total expenditure, not just money but time, energy, sacrifice
Why it matters
Roman towers required government permits and enormous resources - most were never finished
Read with care
What most readers miss in Luke 14:28
This wasn't about buildings - Jesus was warning about the cost of following Him
Common misconceptionPeople think this is general wisdom about planning. Jesus was specifically warning people about the cost of discipleship - many would face persecution, family rejection, even death.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Luke 14:28
Bible Genome reading
Luke 14:28 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Luke 14:28 comes from the book of Luke, written during the gospel period. These words are attributed to Jesus. The dominant emotion in this verse is deciding, with a comfort power of 30% and a tone that is reflective. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include planning, wisdom. Notable phrases: count the cost; build a tower.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same deciding
“"You shall have no other gods before me.”
— Deuteronomy 5:7
“"You shall not murder.”
— Exodus 20:13
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
— Matthew 23:12
“For God didn't give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.”
— 2 Timothy 1:7
“But Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none, but what I have, that I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!"”
— Acts 3:6
Your reflection
What does Luke 14:28 mean to you, today?
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