Luke 9:60

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

{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}.

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

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

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

Context

Luke 9:60 is part of a series of challenging encounters where Jesus outlines the radical demands of discipleship. Preceding this verse, a man expresses a desire to follow Jesus, but first requests permission to "go and bury my father" (Luke 9:59). In ancient Near Eastern culture, burying one's parents was a sacred and non-negotiable duty, often involving a prolonged period of mourning and settling affairs. Jesus' response, therefore, is striking and intentionally provocative, highlighting a profound spiritual truth.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Supreme Priority of the Kingdom of God: Jesus unequivocally places the mission of proclaiming God's reign above all other earthly obligations, even those considered sacred. This is a central message throughout Luke's Gospel, emphasizing the urgency and ultimate importance of divine purposes.
  • Spiritual Urgency and Radical Discipleship: The command "go thou and preach the kingdom of God" underscores the immediate and non-negotiable nature of Jesus' call. There is no time for delay or postponement when it comes to the work of God. This passage illustrates the radical commitment required to follow Jesus.
  • Contrast Between Spiritual Life and Spiritual Death: Jesus draws a stark distinction between those who are spiritually alive and those who are spiritually dead. Worldly concerns, even legitimate ones, can distract from the eternal mission if one is not spiritually aligned with God's will.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Let the dead bury their dead" is a powerful and memorable hyperbole. Jesus uses the word "dead" in two distinct senses:

  • The first "dead" refers to those who are physically deceased and need to be buried.
  • The second "dead" refers to those who are spiritually dead or spiritually indifferent – those who are not focused on the eternal realities of God's Kingdom. These are the ones, in Jesus' view, who are preoccupied with the affairs of this world, even funerary rites, to the exclusion of higher spiritual callings. This contrast emphasizes that only those who are spiritually alive can truly engage in the work of the Kingdom.

Practical Application

Luke 9:60 serves as a timeless challenge for believers today:

  • Evaluate Priorities: What "dead" things in our lives (worldly concerns, traditions, personal desires) might be hindering our obedience to God's call? Jesus calls us to prioritize the eternal over the temporal.
  • Embrace Urgency: The mission to "preach the kingdom of God" is not a suggestion but a command, demanding immediate and dedicated action. This might involve sharing the gospel, serving others, or dedicating time and resources to God's work. See also the parallel account in Matthew 8:22.
  • Radical Obedience: Following Christ may require setting aside legitimate personal or social obligations if they conflict with the divine imperative. It's a call to wholehearted, undivided devotion to the King and His Kingdom.
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.

  • 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.
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