And if he is unable, he will send a delegation while the other king is still far off, to ask for terms of peace.
See how Christ in his doctrine suited himself to those to whom he spoke, and gave every one his portion of meat. To Pharisees he preached humility and charity. He is in these verses directing his discourse to the multitudes that crowded after him, and seemed zealous in following him; and his exhortation to them is to understand the terms of discipleship, before they undertook...
Commenting on Luke 14:25-35
So likewise whosoever he be of you,.... Let him be ever so forward to follow me, to make a profession of me and of my Gospel, and to become a disciple of mine: that forsaketh not all that he hath; when called to it, relations, friends, possessions, estates, and what not, which is an explanation of Luk 14:26 he cannot be my disciple; he is...
Verse 32. Or else. If he is not able. If he is satisfied that he would be defeated. An ambassage. Persons to treat with an enemy and propose terms of peace. These expressions are not to be improperly pressed in order to obtain from them a spiritual signification. The general scope of the parable is to be learned from the connection, and may be thus expressed: 1st.