Luke 14:23

The highways and hedges

(τας οδους κα φραγμους). The public roads outside the city of Judaism just as the streets and lanes were inside the city. The heathen are to be invited this time.Hedges

is fenced in places from φρασσω, to fence in (Romans 3:19).Compel

(αναγκασον). First aorist active imperative of αναγκαζω, from αναγκη (verse Luke 14:18). By persuasion of course. There is no thought of compulsory salvation. "Not to use force, but to constrain them against the reluctance which such poor creatures would feel at accepting the invitation of a great lord" (Vincent). As examples of such "constraint" in this verb see Matthew 14:22; Acts 26:11; Galatians 6:12.That my house may be filled

(ινα γεμισθη μου ο οικος). First aorist passive subjunctive of γεμιζω, to fill full, old verb from γεμω, to be full. Effective aorist. Subjunctive with ινα in final clause. The Gentiles are to take the place that the Jews might have had (Romans 11:25). Bengel says: Nec natura nec gratia patitur vacuum.