Luke 9:59

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

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}.

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

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

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

Luke 9:59 presents a challenging encounter where Jesus calls a man to immediate discipleship, only to be met with a request for delay. This verse, part of a series illustrating the demands of following Christ, underscores the radical nature of kingdom priorities.

Context of Luke 9:59

This verse is situated within a significant section of Luke's Gospel (Luke 9:57-62) where Jesus confronts potential followers with the true cost of discipleship. Immediately preceding this, Jesus had spoken about having no place to lay His head, and the verses that follow describe another man who wanted to bid farewell to his family. This series of interactions serves to highlight the absolute and immediate commitment Jesus expects from those who would join His mission to proclaim the Kingdom of God.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Radical Priority of Discipleship: Jesus’s call is an invitation to an immediate and unreserved commitment. The man's request, while seemingly reasonable by societal standards, represents a delay that Jesus cannot permit. Following Christ demands a prioritization above all earthly ties and obligations, even sacred ones.
  • Urgency of the Kingdom: The "Follow me" command is presented as urgent. The work of the Kingdom of God cannot wait for personal affairs or cultural expectations to be fulfilled. This urgency is echoed in other calls to mission, such as the Great Commission.
  • Spiritual over Earthly Obligations: The conflict here is between a profound spiritual calling and a deeply ingrained filial duty (burying one's father). Jesus's implicit response, elaborated in the parallel account in Matthew 8:22 ("Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God."), emphasizes that the spiritual mission takes precedence over even the most important family responsibilities.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "bury my father" might imply more than just a literal, immediate funeral. In ancient Jewish culture, burying a parent was a fundamental duty, often involving a long period of mourning and care for the deceased's estate. It's possible the man's father was not yet dead, but old, and the man wished to wait until his father died naturally to fulfill this duty before committing to Jesus. If so, Jesus's response is even more striking, demanding a commitment that transcends traditional timelines and cultural norms. The KJV's "suffer me first" conveys a plea for permission to delay, highlighting the tension between the man's desire and Jesus's immediate command.

Practical Application

For believers today, Luke 9:59 serves as a powerful challenge to examine our own priorities. What are the "fathers to bury" in our lives – the seemingly legitimate or even noble obligations, desires, or comforts that we allow to delay or diminish our full obedience to Christ's call? This verse encourages Christians to:

  • Prioritize Christ Above All: Recognize that true discipleship requires placing Jesus and His Kingdom first, even above family, career, or personal ambition.
  • Embrace Urgency: Understand that the call to follow Christ and participate in His mission is often immediate and requires a readiness to act without procrastination.
  • Discern True Obligations: Learn to distinguish between culturally expected duties and the higher calling of God's will, especially when they conflict. This radical commitment is vital for effective service in the ministry of reconciliation.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 16:24

    ¶ Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

  • 1 Kings 19:20

    And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and [then] I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee?

  • Matthew 6:33

    But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

  • Matthew 8:21

    And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

  • Matthew 8:22

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

  • Haggai 1:2

    Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the LORD'S house should be built.

  • Matthew 9:9

    ¶ And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.

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