Luke 14:31-33 New English Translation

³¹Or what king, going out to confront another king in battle, will not sit down^[a] first and determine whether he is able with 10,000 to oppose^[b] the one coming against him with 20,000? ³²If he cannot succeed,^[c] he will send a representative^[d] while the other is still a long way off and ask for terms of peace.^[e] ³³In the same way therefore not one of you can be my disciple if he does not renounce all his own possessions.^[f]

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Footnotes

Luke 14:31 tn The participle καθίσας (kathisas) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
Luke 14:31 tn On the meaning of this verb see also L&N 55.3, “to meet in battle, to face in battle.”
Luke 14:32 tn Grk “And if not.” Here δέ (de) has not been translated; “succeed” is implied and has been supplied in the translation for clarity.
Luke 14:32 tn Grk “a messenger.”
Luke 14:32 sn This image is slightly different from the former one about the tower (vv. 28-30). The first part of the illustration (sit down first and determine) deals with preparation. The second part of the illustration (ask for terms of peace) has to do with recognizing who is stronger. This could well suggest thinking about what refusing the “stronger one” (God) might mean, and thus constitutes a warning. Achieving peace with God, the more powerful king, is the point of the illustration.
Luke 14:33 tn Grk “Likewise therefore every one of you who does not renounce all his own possessions cannot be my disciple.” The complex double negation is potentially confusing to the modern reader and has been simplified in the translation. See L&N 57.70.sn The application of the saying is this: Discipleship requires that God be in first place. The reference to renunciation of all his own possessions refers to all earthly attachments that have first place.

New English Translation (NET)