Luke 9:60

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

{G1161} Jesus {G2424} said {G2036} unto him {G846}, Let {G863} the dead {G3498} bury {G2290} their {G1438} dead {G3498}: but {G1161} go {G565} thou {G4771} and preach {G1229} the kingdom {G932} of God {G2316}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua said, “Let the dead bury their own dead; you, go and proclaim the Kingdom of God!”

Berean Standard Bible

But Jesus told him, “Let the dead bury their own dead. You, however, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

American Standard Version

But he said unto him, Leave the dead to bury their own dead; but go thou and publish abroad the kingdom of God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 9:60 captures Jesus' radical call to discipleship, challenging a potential follower who sought to delay his commitment to first bury his father. Jesus' profound and provocative response, "Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God," underscores the absolute priority and urgent nature of proclaiming God's reign, demanding immediate and undivided devotion above all earthly obligations, even those considered sacred. This declaration highlights the stark contrast between spiritual life and spiritual death, emphasizing that the mission of the Kingdom of God transcends all other concerns.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a crucial section of Luke's Gospel (Luke 9:51-19:27), often referred to as Jesus' "Journey to Jerusalem" or "Travel Narrative." During this period, Jesus intensely teaches His disciples about the nature of His mission and the demanding cost of following Him. Immediately preceding Luke 9:60, Jesus has just rebuked James and John for their desire to call down fire on a Samaritan village (Luke 9:51-56) and has encountered two other individuals who expressed a desire to follow Him but offered conditions (Luke 9:57-58). The man in Luke 9:59-60 is the third in this trio, presenting a seemingly legitimate request that Jesus nevertheless challenges, setting up a series of encounters that highlight the radical, unconditional commitment required for discipleship.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern culture, the burial of one's parents was a profoundly sacred and non-negotiable duty, considered one of the highest acts of piety and filial devotion. It often involved a prolonged period of mourning, ritual purity, and the settling of family affairs, potentially lasting for months or even years. To neglect this duty would be seen as an egregious abandonment of familial and societal responsibility. Jesus' command to "let the dead bury their dead" would have been shocking and counter-cultural to His audience, directly confronting deeply ingrained social norms and religious obligations, thereby emphasizing the supreme and unprecedented nature of the Kingdom's call.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 9:60 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel. Foremost is the **supreme priority of the Kingdom of God**, which Jesus consistently elevates above all earthly concerns, as seen in His teachings on seeking first [God's Kingdom](/luke/12-31 "Luke 12:31 - Seek First the Kingdom"). This passage also highlights **radical discipleship and spiritual urgency**, demanding immediate and unconditional commitment, echoing the call to [forsake all to follow Him](/luke/14-33 "Luke 14:33 - The Cost of Discipleship"). Furthermore, it introduces a stark **contrast between spiritual life and spiritual death**, implying that those who are spiritually alive are called to engage in Kingdom work, while those spiritually dead are preoccupied with temporal matters, a distinction Jesus often makes, as when He declares Himself the [resurrection and the life](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **dead (Greek, _nekrós'_):** This word (G3498) is used twice in the verse, creating a powerful contrast. Its primary meaning refers to a corpse or one who is physically deceased. However, in its second usage, it takes on a figurative meaning, referring to those who are spiritually unresponsive, morally inert, or alienated from God's life, as described in passages like [Ephesians 2:1](/ephesians/2-1 "Ephesians 2:1 - Dead in Trespasses and Sins"). Jesus uses this word to distinguish between those who are physically dead and those who are spiritually dead, emphasizing that only the spiritually alive can truly engage in the work of the Kingdom.
* **bury (Greek, _tháptō'_):** This verb (G2290) means "to celebrate funeral rites" or "to inter." In the context of the first "dead," it refers to the literal act of interring a deceased person. In the second instance, it implies the preoccupation with and engagement in the affairs of the physically or spiritually dead. Jesus' command challenges the conventional understanding of this duty, suggesting that there are others (the spiritually dead) who can attend to such matters, while the disciple's focus must be on the Kingdom.
* **preach (Greek, _diangéllō'_):** This word (G1229) means "to herald thoroughly," "to declare," or "to signify." It implies a comprehensive and public proclamation. Jesus' command to "preach the kingdom of God" is not merely an invitation but a direct imperative to actively and extensively proclaim the good news of God's sovereign rule, its arrival in Christ, and its implications for humanity. This highlights the urgent and public nature of the disciple's primary mission.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Jesus said unto him,"**: This introduces Jesus' direct and authoritative response to the man's request in Luke 9:59. It sets the stage for a profound and challenging statement, typical of Jesus' method of teaching about discipleship.
* **"Let the dead bury their dead:"**: This is a striking and paradoxical statement. The first "dead" refers to those who are physically deceased, awaiting burial. The second "dead" refers to those who are spiritually dead or indifferent to the things of God. Jesus is essentially saying, "Let those who are spiritually unresponsive attend to the affairs of the physically dead," implying that such worldly duties, while legitimate in themselves, are not the primary concern for those called to follow Him.
* **"but go thou and preach the kingdom of God."**: This is Jesus' direct command and the core of His instruction. The conjunction "but" (G1161, _dé_) introduces a strong contrast and an imperative. "Go thou" (G565, _apérchomai_; G4771, _sý_) emphasizes immediate and personal action. The mission is clear: to "preach the kingdom of God" (G932, _basileía_; G2316, _theós_), which signifies proclaiming the good news of God's sovereign rule, its inauguration through Christ, and its transforming power. This command highlights the supreme priority of the Kingdom mission over all other earthly obligations.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 9:60 is rich in literary devices that amplify its powerful message. The most prominent is **Hyperbole**, where Jesus makes an exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally, but to emphasize a point dramatically. His command to "Let the dead bury their dead" is not a literal instruction for corpses to bury corpses, but a stark overstatement to underscore the absolute priority of the Kingdom. This hyperbole creates a profound **Paradox**, presenting a seemingly contradictory statement that contains a deeper truth: the spiritually dead are capable of attending to the physically dead, while the spiritually alive must focus on the eternal mission. Jesus also employs a powerful **Metaphor** by using "dead" in two distinct senses: literal physical death and figurative spiritual death. This dual meaning highlights the spiritual state of those who are preoccupied with worldly affairs versus those who are called to eternal purposes. The verse's concise and direct nature also lends it the quality of an **Aphorism**, a pithy observation that contains a general truth, making it memorable and impactful for conveying the radical demands of discipleship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 9:60 is a profound theological statement on the nature of discipleship and the unparalleled priority of God's Kingdom. It challenges the common human tendency to prioritize legitimate earthly duties, even sacred ones, over the divine call. Jesus' teaching here reveals that following Him demands an exclusive and immediate commitment, where the proclamation of the Kingdom takes precedence over all other considerations. This radical call is not a rejection of familial responsibility in general, but a vivid illustration that when the Kingdom's urgency clashes with conventional obligations, the Kingdom must prevail. It underscores the spiritual reality that true life is found in pursuing God's purposes, and that preoccupation with the temporal, even the solemn duties of burial, can signify a spiritual deadness that hinders participation in God's vibrant, eternal work.

* [Matthew 10:37](/matthew/10-37 "Matthew 10:37 - Love for Family vs. Christ")
* [Philippians 3:7-8](/philippians/3-7-8 "Philippians 3:7-8 - Counting All Things Loss for Christ")
* [2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 9:60 serves as a powerful and timeless challenge for every believer, prompting a deep evaluation of our priorities and commitments. In a world filled with countless legitimate demands on our time, energy, and resources—from career ambitions and family obligations to social engagements and personal pursuits—Jesus' words compel us to ask: What are the "dead" things in my life that, while perhaps not inherently sinful, are nonetheless hindering my full and immediate obedience to God's call? Are we allowing temporal concerns, even those deemed important by society or tradition, to delay or distract us from the urgent, eternal mission of proclaiming and living out the Kingdom of God? This verse calls us to a radical, undivided devotion, reminding us that the work of God's Kingdom requires our utmost priority and immediate action. It is a call to spiritual urgency, to live as those who are truly alive in Christ, actively engaged in His purposes, rather than being preoccupied with the affairs of a spiritually dead world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "dead" things or legitimate earthly obligations in my life might be hindering my full and immediate obedience to God's call?**
* **How does my current schedule and allocation of resources reflect the "supreme priority of the Kingdom of God" that Jesus demands?**
* **In what practical ways can I embrace the "spiritual urgency" of proclaiming the Kingdom in my daily life, without delay?**

### FAQ
**Was Jesus telling the man to disrespect his family or neglect a sacred duty?**

Answer: No, Jesus was not advocating for disrespect or neglect of family duties in general. His statement, "Let the dead bury their dead," is a powerful **hyperbole** designed to highlight the absolute and immediate priority of the Kingdom of God. In ancient Jewish culture, burying one's parents was a non-negotiable duty. However, the man's request might have implied a desire to return home for an extended period, perhaps to inherit property or settle affairs, not just to perform the immediate burial. Jesus used the term "dead" in two senses: the physically deceased, and the spiritually dead (those who are not following Him or are indifferent to God's urgent call). He was essentially saying, "Let those who are spiritually unresponsive or preoccupied with worldly affairs attend to these matters, but your call is to the immediate and vital work of proclaiming the Kingdom." This emphasizes that the demands of the Kingdom of God transcend even the most sacred social obligations when they conflict with the urgent call to discipleship, as seen in other radical calls to prioritize Him, such as in [Luke 14:26](/luke/14-26 "Luke 14:26 - Hating Father and Mother").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 9:60, while a challenging command for a specific individual, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and mission of Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus is the embodiment of the Kingdom of God He preached; His life, death, and resurrection are the very inauguration of that Kingdom. His radical call to discipleship, prioritizing the Kingdom above all else, foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice He would make—laying down His own life, not for earthly duties, but for the eternal redemption of humanity, as prophesied in [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - Wounded for Our Transgressions"). By commanding the man to "preach the kingdom of God," Jesus was calling him to participate in the very mission that Christ came to accomplish: to inaugurate God's reign and invite all into its transforming power. The "dead" who are to bury their dead represent humanity alienated from God, spiritually lifeless in their sins, as described in [Ephesians 2:1-5](/ephesians/2-1-5 "Ephesians 2:1-5 - Made Alive in Christ"). It is Christ, the [resurrection and the life](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life"), who brings spiritual life to the dead, empowering His followers to forsake all lesser loyalties and join Him in proclaiming the good news that through His finished work, the Kingdom of God has drawn near, offering eternal life and purpose to all who believe, as declared in [Mark 1:15](/mark/1-15 "Mark 1:15 - The Kingdom of God is at Hand").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Timothy 2:3

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

2 Timothy 2:4

No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of [this] life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

1 Timothy 5:6

But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

John 21:15

¶ So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

John 21:17

He saith unto him the third time, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

2 Timothy 4:2

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

Revelation 3:1

¶ And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.