Luke 9:57

ΒΆ And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain [man] said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

And {G1161} it came to pass {G1096}, that, as they {G846} went {G4198} in {G1722} the way {G3598}, a certain {G5100} man said {G2036} unto {G4314} him {G846}, Lord {G2962}, I will follow {G190} thee {G4671} whithersoever {G3699}{G302} thou goest {G565}.

As they were traveling on the road, a man said to him, β€œI will follow you wherever you go.”

As they were walking along the road, someone said to Jesus, β€œI will follow You wherever You go.”

And as they went on the way, a certain man said unto him, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

Commentary

Commentary on Luke 9:57

Luke 9:57 introduces the first of three distinct encounters Jesus has with individuals expressing interest in following Him, immediately after His pivotal decision to set His face steadfastly to go to Jerusalem. This verse captures a seemingly eager declaration of allegiance, yet it serves as a setup for Jesus' profound teachings on the true cost of discipleship.

Context

This scene unfolds "as they went in the way," signifying Jesus and His disciples were on their journey, likely through Samaritan territory, having just experienced rejection in a Samaritan village (Luke 9:52-56). In this transient setting, a man approaches Jesus with an enthusiastic, unqualified statement of commitment: "Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest." His declaration suggests a deep admiration and a willingness to abandon his current life for the sake of joining Jesus' itinerant ministry. However, the subsequent verses (Luke 9:58-62) reveal that Jesus often tested such spontaneous enthusiasm by immediately presenting the challenging realities of truly following Him.

Key Themes

  • Spontaneous Enthusiasm: The man's declaration is immediate and heartfelt, reflecting a common initial reaction to Jesus' person and message. It highlights the human tendency to be drawn to Christ without fully grasping the implications.
  • Unconditional Vow: The phrase "whithersoever thou goest" indicates an absolute, unqualified commitment on the surface. This sounds commendable, yet Jesus' response implies that the man might not have understood the full extent of this vow.
  • The Call to Discipleship: This verse begins a mini-series illustrating that following Jesus is not merely a verbal assent but a radical reorientation of life, requiring significant sacrifice and a willingness to endure hardship. It sets the stage for Jesus to articulate the cost of true discipleship.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "whithersoever thou goest" (Greek: hopou ean aperchΔ“) conveys an idea of absolute devotion and readiness to go to any place. While noble in sentiment, Jesus' subsequent reply in Luke 9:58 challenges the man's assumed understanding of what "whithersoever" truly meant for someone following the Son of Man, who had "no where to lay his head." This highlights a potential disconnect between the man's eager promise and the harsh realities of Jesus' nomadic, often uncomfortable, lifestyle.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a timeless reminder that while initial enthusiasm for Christ is good, genuine discipleship requires more than just a declaration. It calls us to:

  1. Count the Cost: Are we truly prepared for the sacrifices and discomforts that may come with following Jesus? His path is not always easy or convenient.
  2. Examine Our Motives: Is our desire to follow Christ rooted in a full understanding of His mission and our role, or is it based on a romanticized or superficial view?
  3. Embrace Radical Obedience: True commitment to Jesus means surrendering our plans and comforts to His will, even when it leads to unexpected or challenging places.

The man's eagerness in Luke 9:57 is a starting point, but Jesus consistently emphasizes that following Him demands a cross-bearing commitment.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 8:19

    And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

  • Matthew 8:22

    But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.

  • John 13:37

    Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.

  • Luke 9:57

    ΒΆ And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain [man] said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

  • Luke 9:60

    Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

  • Exodus 19:8

    And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD.

  • Luke 9:51

    ΒΆ And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,
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