| Barnes' Notes on the Bible Art bidden - Are invited. To a wedding - A wedding was commonly attended with a feast or banquet. The highest room - The seat at the table nearest the head. A more honourable man - A more aged man, or a man of higher rank. It is to be remarked that our Saviour did not consider the courtesies of life to be beneath his notice. His chief design here was, no doubt, to reprove the pride and ambition of the Pharisees; but, in doing it, he teaches us that religion does not violate the courtesies of life. It does not teach us to be rude, forward, pert, assuming, and despising the proprieties of refined social contact. It teaches humility and kindness, and a desire to make all happy, and a willingness to occupy our appropriate situation and rank in life; and this is true "politeness," for true politeness is a desire to make all others happy, and a readiness to do whatever is necessary to make them so. They have utterly mistaken the nature of religion who suppose that because they are professed Christians, they must be rude and uncivil, and violate all the distinctions in society. The example and precepts of Jesus Christ were utterly unlike such conduct. He teaches us to be kind, and to treat people according to their rank and character. Compare Matthew 22:21; Romans 13:7; 1 Peter 2:17.
Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleWhen thou art bidden of any man to a wedding,.... To a wedding dinner, or to any other; such an one as the present entertainment was, which was not a marriage feast, for they might not marry on the sabbath day; See Gill on John 2:1 but a common sabbath meal: sit not down in the highest room: in the chief place at table, as soon as come in: lest a more honourable man; for age, office, dignity, wisdom, learning, or riches: than thou be bidden of him: the master of the feast; and who may not yet be come, and for whom the chief place may be designed, and will better suit him.
Vincent's Word StudiesWedding More properly, marriage-feast.
Geneva Study BibleWhen thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;
People's New Testament 14:7-11 Put forth a parable. In this case a spiritual meaning lies under the social instruction. Chose out the chief rooms. The places of honor at the table. Certain seats were considered the most honorable. The Savior's instruction insists upon humility. The spiritual lesson is that one must not, like Diotrephes, seek the pre-eminence (see 3Jo 1:9), but be content to work in lowly places, from whence he can be invited higher if his merits so demand.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary8. wedding-and seating thyself at the wedding feast. Our Lord avoids the appearance of personality by this delicate allusion to a different kind of entertainment than this of his host [Bengel].
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary14:7-14 Even in the common actions of life, Christ marks what we do, not only in our religious assemblies, but at our tables. We see in many cases, that a man's pride will bring him low, and before honour is humility. Our Saviour here teaches, that works of charity are better than works of show. But our Lord did not mean that a proud and unbelieving liberality should be rewarded, but that his precept of doing good to the poor and afflicted should be observed from love to him. | 
