Luke 9:59

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

Complete Jewish Bible:

To another he said, “Follow me!” but the man replied, “Sir, first let me go away and bury my father.”

Berean Standard Bible:

Then He said to another man, “Follow Me.” The man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

American Standard Version:

And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G1161} he said^{G2036} unto^{G4314} another^{G2087}, Follow^{G190} me^{G3427}. But^{G1161} he said^{G2036}, Lord^{G2962}, suffer^{G2010} me^{G3427} first^{G4412} to go^{G565} and bury^{G2290} my^{G3450} father^{G3962}.

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Commentary for Luke 9:59

Luke 9:59 is part of a larger narrative in the Gospel of Luke where Jesus is calling people to follow him as disciples. The verse captures a brief interaction between Jesus and an unnamed individual, highlighting the theme of discipleship and the radical commitment it requires. In the historical context of first-century Palestine, following a rabbi often meant leaving one's family and previous life to fully dedicate oneself to studying under the teacher.

The verse reads, "And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father." Here, Jesus extends a direct call to this man to become his disciple. However, the man's response indicates a desire to first fulfill his familial duty, which in Jewish culture was a significant obligation, as honoring one's parents was a commandment (Exodus 20:12) and burying the dead was considered an important act of kindness and respect.

This moment underscores the immediate and sometimes costly nature of Jesus' call. It challenges the traditional priorities of the day, suggesting that the call to discipleship takes precedence over even the most sacred family duties. Jesus' call to "follow me" is an urgent invitation that demands an immediate response, illustrating the radical reordering of priorities that characterizes the Christian life. The verse reflects the tension between the demands of the old life and the new life in Christ, a theme that resonates throughout the Gospels as Jesus calls individuals to a transformative commitment that often requires them to leave behind their former ways of life.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1161
   There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δέ
   Transliteration: dé
   Pronunciation: deh
   Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
   
2. Strong's Number: G2036
   There are 901 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἔπω
   Transliteration: épō
   Pronunciation: ep'-o
   Description: a primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from ἐρέω, ῥέω, and φημί); to speak or say (by word or writing):--answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell. Compare λέγω.
   
3. Strong's Number: G4314
   There are 674 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πρός
   Transliteration: prós
   Pronunciation: pros
   Description: a strengthened form of πρό; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e. pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated):--about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in). In the comparative case, it denotes essentially the same applications, namely, motion towards, accession to, or nearness at.
   
4. Strong's Number: G2087
   There are 94 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἕτερος
   Transliteration: héteros
   Pronunciation: het'-er-os
   Description: of uncertain affinity; (an-, the) other or different:--altered, else, next (day), one, (an-)other, some, strange.
   
5. Strong's Number: G190
   There are 939 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀκολουθέω
   Transliteration: akolouthéō
   Pronunciation: ak-ol-oo-theh'-o
   Description: from Α (as a particle of union) and (a road); properly, to be in the same way with, i.e. to accompany (specially, as a disciple):--follow, reach.
   
6. Strong's Number: G3427
   There are 227 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μοί
   Transliteration: moí
   Pronunciation: moy
   Description: the simpler form of ἐμοί; to me:--I, me, mine, my.
   
7. Strong's Number: G2962
   There are 687 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: κύριος
   Transliteration: kýrios
   Pronunciation: koo'-ree-os
   Description: from (supremacy); supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title):-- God, Lord, master, Sir.
   
8. Strong's Number: G2010
   There are 18 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐπιτρέπω
   Transliteration: epitrépō
   Pronunciation: ep-ee-trep'-o
   Description: from ἐπί and the base of τροπή; to turn over (transfer), i.e. allow:--give leave (liberty, license), let, permit, suffer.
   
9. Strong's Number: G4412
   There are 61 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πρῶτον
   Transliteration: prōton
   Pronunciation: pro'-ton
   Description: neuter of πρῶτος as adverb (with or without ὁ); firstly (in time, place, order, or importance):--before, at the beginning, chiefly (at, at the) first (of all).
   
10. Strong's Number: G565
    There are 2564 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀπέρχομαι
    Transliteration: apérchomai
    Pronunciation: ap-erkh'-om-ahee
    Description: from ἀπό and ἔρχομαι; to go off (i.e. depart), aside (i.e. apart) or behind (i.e. follow), literally or figuratively:--come, depart, go (aside, away, back, out, … ways), pass away, be past.
    
11. Strong's Number: G2290
    There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: θάπτω
    Transliteration: tháptō
    Pronunciation: thap'-to
    Description: a primary verb; to celebrate funeral rites, i.e. inter:--bury.
    
12. Strong's Number: G3450
    There are 471 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: μοῦ
    Transliteration: moû
    Pronunciation: moo
    Description: the simpler form of ἐμοῦ; of me:--I, me, mine (own), my.
    
13. Strong's Number: G3962
    There are 372 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πατήρ
    Transliteration: patḗr
    Pronunciation: pat-ayr'
    Description: apparently a primary word; a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote):--father, parent.