This verse introduces a parable told by Jesus in the Gospel of Luke. It sets the scene for a story about a man who throws a large banquet and invites many guests.

Here's a breakdown of its meaning:

"But he said to him...": This indicates that Jesus is responding to a previous statement or question. In the preceding verses, Jesus had just healed a man on the Sabbath and then observed guests trying to grab the best seats at a dinner party. The parable is a direct response to the cultural and religious context of that situation.

"A certain man made a great supper...": The "certain man" represents God, and the "great supper" symbolizes the Kingdom of God, the opportunity for salvation, or the blessings offered through Jesus Christ. The "greatness" of the supper emphasizes the abundance and joy found in God's offer.

"...and he invited many people.": The "many people" represent the Jewish people (initially) and, by extension, all of humanity who are invited to partake in God's blessings. The invitation symbolizes God's offer of salvation and participation in His Kingdom.

In essence, this verse establishes the setup of the parable: God is like a generous host who has prepared a wonderful feast (the Kingdom of God) and has invited many people to attend. The rest of the parable (Luke 14:17-24) goes on to describe how the invited guests make excuses and refuse to come, leading the host to extend the invitation to others (the marginalized, the outsiders).

The core meaning behind this verse and the parable is to teach about:

God's generous invitation to all to participate in His Kingdom.
The danger of rejecting God's invitation due to worldly concerns and priorities.
God's willingness to extend His invitation to those who are often overlooked or considered unworthy.

Therefore, this seemingly simple verse is crucial as it sets the stage for a profound lesson about God's grace, the importance of responding to His call, and the inclusiveness of His Kingdom.