Luke 14:33
So likewise, whosoeuer he be of you, that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:33 (KJV)
Jesus makes a powerful statement about the commitment required to be His disciple. He draws a comparison with what He has just taught, using the phrase “So likewise” to signal that the principle he is about to give is a continuation of the same radical call to follow Him.
The address “whosoever he be of you” makes clear that the warning applies to anyone who desires to be a follower, without exception. The wording emphasizes that no one is exempt from the standard He sets.
The key demand is “forsaketh not all that he hath.” The verb “forsaketh” means to abandon, renounce, or give up completely. Jesus is teaching that true discipleship requires a total surrender of one’s possessions, desires, and self‑will. It is a call to place God above all else—above material wealth, relationships, and personal ambitions.
He concludes, “he cannot be my disciple,” indicating that without this willingness to forsake everything, a person cannot truly belong to Christ. The standard is high, but it is not a call for every believer to literally abandon every possession. Rather, it stresses the attitude of the heart that puts God first.
The verse challenges each believer to examine his or her priorities. It asks whether we are prepared to let go of the things we hold dear in order to follow Christ fully. This teaching echoes Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:24 (KJV): “No man can serve two masters… Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Both passages underline the necessity of choosing God’s kingdom over earthly treasures.
In practical terms, the passage invites us to ask: What are the “all that I have” that I am unwilling to surrender? It may be money, status, comfort, or even relationships that hinder our devotion. The call is not to a reckless abandonment of life, but to a re‑ordering of our values so that God occupies the highest place in our hearts. When we adopt this mindset, we align ourselves with the true cost of discipleship and open the way to deeper fellowship with Christ.
