{A parable for those which were bidden} (pros tous
kekl(886d)enous parabol(886e)). Perfect passive participle of kale(935c),
to call, to invite. This parable is for the guests who were there
and who had been watching Jesus. {When he marked} (epech(936e)).
Present active participle of epech(935c) with 	on noun understood,
holding the mind upon them, old verb and common. {They chose out}
(exelegonto). Imperfect middle, were picking out for
themselves. {The chief seats} (	as pr(9374)oklisias). The first
reclining places at the table. Jesus condemned the Pharisees
later for this very thing ( Mt 23:6  Mr 12:39  Lu 20:46 ). On a
couch holding three the middle place was the chief one. At
banquets today the name of the guests are usually placed at the
plates. The place next to the host on the right was then, as now,
the post of honour.