Luke 9:62

And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

And {G1161} Jesus {G2424} said {G2036} unto {G4314} him {G846}, No man {G3762}, having put {G1911} his {G846} hand {G5495} to {G1909} the plough {G723}, and {G2532} looking {G991} back {G1519}{G3694}, is {G2076} fit {G2111} for {G1519} the kingdom {G932} of God {G2316}.

To him Yeshua said, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and keeps looking back is fit to serve in the Kingdom of God.”

Then Jesus declared, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and then looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

But Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Commentary on Luke 9:62 KJV

The verse Luke 9:62 KJV presents one of Jesus Christ's most potent warnings about the nature of true discipleship and commitment to the Kingdom of God. It emphasizes the necessity of undivided focus and unwavering resolve for those who choose to follow Him.

Context of Luke 9:62

This powerful statement by Jesus concludes a series of challenging encounters where individuals expressed interest in following Him, but with conditions or reservations. In Luke 9:57-60, Jesus warns a prospective follower about the lack of earthly comforts, and tells another to prioritize the Kingdom over familial duties. The individual addressed in verse 62 desired to "bid them farewell, which are at home at my house," indicating a wish to return to his former life and relationships before fully committing to Jesus. Jesus' response cuts through any hesitation, demanding absolute dedication.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Unwavering Commitment: The primary message is the absolute necessity of single-minded devotion to Christ. Following Jesus is not a part-time endeavor or one to be undertaken with mental reservations.
  • The Cost of Discipleship: Jesus consistently taught that following Him would involve sacrifice and prioritizing His call above all else, as seen in Luke 14:26. This verse reinforces that cost.
  • Perseverance and Focus: Just as a farmer must keep his eyes forward to plough a straight furrow, a disciple must remain focused on the path Christ sets, without longing for or being distracted by what was left behind.
  • Fit for the Kingdom: Those who are "fit" for God's Kingdom are those who demonstrate this wholehearted commitment, ready to engage in the work of God without distraction or regret.

Linguistic Insights

The imagery of "putting his hand to the plough" is deeply rooted in ancient agricultural practice. Plowing was laborious work that required intense concentration. A farmer looking back would inevitably create crooked furrows, rendering the land less productive. The Greek word for "fit" (euthetos) implies being "well-placed," "suitable," or "properly disposed" for a task. It's not merely about being worthy, but about being practically prepared and effective for the work of the Kingdom. The act of "looking back" signifies a divided heart, a desire for the past, or a reluctance to fully embrace the future with Christ. This echoes the warning to "Remember Lot's wife" in Luke 17:32, who looked back at Sodom and was turned into a pillar of salt, symbolizing the danger of clinging to a life God has called one to abandon.

Practical Application

For believers today, Luke 9:62 serves as a powerful call to examine our own commitment to Christ.

  • Identify Distractions: What "old lives" or worldly comforts might be causing us to "look back"? This could be past habits, relationships, ambitions, or even a nostalgic longing for a life not centered on God.
  • Embrace Full Discipleship: The verse challenges us to embrace a life of active, forward-looking discipleship, where our primary allegiance is to Jesus and His mission. This means being ready to leave behind anything that hinders our spiritual progress.
  • Persevere in the Call: The Christian journey requires endurance. Like Paul, who declared, "forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark" (Philippians 3:13-14), we are called to press forward with our eyes fixed on Christ.

Ultimately, this verse is a reminder that the Kingdom of God demands our full and undivided devotion. A divided heart cannot effectively serve God or engage in the work He has prepared for us.

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.

  • Philippians 3:13

    Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

  • Hebrews 10:38

    Now the just shall live by faith: but if [any man] draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

  • 2 Peter 2:20

    For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

  • 2 Peter 2:22

    But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog [is] turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

  • Luke 17:31

    In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.

  • Luke 17:32

    Remember Lot's wife.

  • James 1:6

    But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

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