Matthew 8:19

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

And {G2532} a certain {G1520} scribe {G1122} came {G4334}, and said {G2036} unto him {G846}, Master {G1320}, I will follow {G190} thee {G4671} whithersoever {G1437}{G3699} thou goest {G565}.

A Torah-teacher approached and said to him, "Rabbi, I will follow you wherever you go."

And one of the scribes came to Him and said, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.”

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

Commentary

Commentary on Matthew 8:19 (KJV)

Matthew 8:19 introduces a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, highlighting the often-misunderstood nature of true discipleship. This verse captures the eager declaration of a scribe, a learned man of the law, who expresses a seemingly profound commitment to follow Jesus.

Context

This verse appears immediately after a series of Jesus' powerful miracles and healings, including the healing of the centurion's servant (Matthew 8:5-13) and Peter's mother-in-law (Matthew 8:14-15). These displays of divine authority and compassion would have certainly attracted attention and admiration. The scribe, a figure of significant social standing and religious learning in Jewish society, comes forward, seemingly impressed by Jesus' power and teaching. His offer to follow Jesus "whithersoever thou goest" suggests an enthusiastic, perhaps even impulsive, commitment to an itinerant teacher.

Key Themes

  • Initial Enthusiasm vs. True Cost: The scribe's declaration is bold and seemingly unwavering, "Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest." This reflects a common human tendency to be drawn to the perceived glory or benefits of following Christ without fully grasping the associated challenges.
  • The Nature of Discipleship: This verse serves as a crucial setup for Jesus' immediate response in Matthew 8:20, which reveals the demanding reality of following Him. Discipleship is not merely about admiration or intellectual agreement; it often involves sacrifice and hardship.
  • Sincerity and Understanding: While the scribe's sincerity is not explicitly questioned, Jesus' subsequent reply implies that his understanding of what "following" truly entailed might have been superficial. This highlights the importance of counting the cost before making a lifelong commitment (Luke 14:28-30).

Linguistic Insights

The term "scribe" in Greek is grammateus (γραμματεύς), referring to a professional interpreter and teacher of the Mosaic Law. These were highly educated and respected individuals, often associated with the Pharisees, who typically enjoyed a stable, settled life. Their willingness to follow an itinerant preacher like Jesus would have been a significant departure from their norm, suggesting a genuine, albeit possibly naive, interest.

The address "Master" is didaskale (διδάσκαλε) in Greek, meaning 'teacher.' This was a common and respectful way to address a religious instructor, indicating the scribe recognized Jesus' authority and wisdom.

Practical Application

Matthew 8:19 serves as a timeless reminder for anyone considering a deeper commitment to Christ. It challenges us to look beyond initial excitement or the desire for blessings and to genuinely consider the full implications of discipleship. True following often means embracing a life that may involve discomfort, sacrifice, and a willingness to prioritize Christ above personal comfort or security. Just as Jesus immediately clarified the realities for the scribe, so too are we called to understand that following Jesus means taking up our cross daily.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

Cross-References

  • Luke 22:33

    And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.

  • Luke 22:34

    And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

  • John 13:36

    ¶ Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.

  • John 13:38

    Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.

  • Luke 14:33

    So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

  • Mark 12:32

    And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:

  • Mark 12:34

    And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him [any question].
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