Counting the cost

Counting the cost
Facade of the ambitious extension to Siena Cathedral. Construction was abandoned in 1348.

Counting the cost is a name often given to a pair of parables told by Jesus in the New Testament, and found in Luke 14:28-33. The name comes from the phrase "count the cost" which occurs in the King James Version of the passage, as well as some other versions.

Narrative

The two parables are as follows:

For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

— Luke 14:28-33, King James Version

Interpretation

Joel B. Green suggests that it is unclear what kind of tower is being referred to in the first parable,[1] but notes that the message is that a "thoroughgoing fidelity to God's salvific aim"[1] is required, "manifest in one's identity as a disciple of Jesus."[1] This involves putting family and possessions second,[2] as in Matthew 8:18-22 and Luke 9:57-62.

References

  1. ^ a b c Joel B. Green, The Gospel of Luke, Eerdmans, 1997, ISBN 0802823157, pp. 566-567.
  2. ^ Charles McCollough, The Art Of Parables: Reinterpreting the Teaching Stories of Jesus in Word and Scripture, Wood Lake Publishing, 2008, ISBN 1551455633, pp. 94-95.
v · d · eParables of Jesus
 Canonical / New Testament
Barren Fig Tree • Budding Fig Tree • Counting the cost • Drawing in the Net • Faithful Servant • Friend at Night • Good Samaritan • Great Banquet • Growing Seed • Hidden Treasure • Lamp • Leaven • Lost Coin • Lost Sheep • Master and Servant • Minas • Mustard Seed • New Wine into Old Wineskins • Pearl • Pharisee and the Publican • Prodigal Son • Rich Fool • Rich man and Lazarus • Sower • Strong Man • Talents • Tares • Ten Virgins • Tree and its Fruits • Two Debtors • Two Sons • Unjust Judge • Unjust Steward • Unforgiving Servant • Wicked Husbandmen • Wise and Foolish Builders • Workers in the Vineyard
 Cl-Fd Saint-Eutrope-vitrail1B.jpg
 Non-Canonical / Disputed
Assassin • Empty Jar (eleven other parables have New Testament parallels)
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