For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Parallel translations
- WEB For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
- KJV For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
- BSB For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
- NASB For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
- NLT For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. This is a settled principle of God's kingdom.
Overview
Jesus states the governing law behind the parable: God opposes the proud and lifts up the lowly. This reverses worldly values and reflects God's character. It supremely points to Christ, who humbled Himself to death and was exalted by the Father, the pattern for all who follow Him.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 17
- Matt 23:12Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
- Luke 18:14I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
- Prov 29:23A man’s pride brings him low, but one of lowly spirit gains honor.
- Jas 4:6But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
- Ps 138:6For though Yahweh is high, yet he looks after the lowly; but the proud, he knows from afar.
- 1 Pet 5:5Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you clothe yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another; for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
- Prov 18:12Before destruction the heart of man is proud, but before honor is humility.
- Jas 4:10Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you.
- Isa 2:17The loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be brought low; and Yahweh alone shall be exalted in that day.
- Ps 18:27For you will save the afflicted people, but the haughty eyes you will bring down.
- Prov 15:33The fear of Yahweh teaches wisdom. Before honor is humility.
- Isa 2:11The lofty looks of man will be brought low, the haughtiness of men will be bowed down, and Yahweh alone will be exalted in that day.
- Job 22:29When they cast down, you shall say, ‘be lifted up.’ He will save the humble person.
- Isa 57:15For thus says the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite.
- 1 Sam 15:17Samuel said, “Though you were little in your own sight, weren’t you made the head of the tribes of Israel? Yahweh anointed you king over Israel;
- Job 40:10–12“Now deck yourself with excellency and dignity. Array yourself with honor and majesty.
- Luke 1:51He has shown strength with his arm. He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Luke shows Jesus the Savior for all — outsiders, the poor, the nations — the one who, on the Emmaus road, opened all the Scriptures to show they were about himself.
How Luke 14:11 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.