and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place.
Our Lord Jesus here sets us an example of profitable edifying discourse at our tables, when we are in company with our friends. We find that when he had none but his disciples, who were his own family, with him at his table, his discourse with them was good, and to the use of edifying; and not only so, but when he was in company...
Commenting on Luke 14:7-14
But when thou art bidden,.... To an entertainment, and the time is come, go and sit down in the lowest room: place thyself at the lower end of the table, or in the most inferior seat; which will show humility and lowliness of mind, and prevent shame and mortification; since there can be no putting into a lower place, and there may be an advance...
the lowest--not a lower merely [BENGEL]. with shame--"To be lowest is only ignominious to him who affects the highest" [BENGEL].