Luke 9:59
And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
Luke 9:59 (KJV)
Context
Luke 9:59 is part of a passage where Jesus is calling people to follow Him and become His disciples. In the previous verses, Jesus encounters three different individuals who express their willingness to follow Him. This verse specifically focuses on the response of one of those individuals.
Meaning
In this verse, Jesus invites someone to follow Him. The act of following Jesus implies complete commitment, surrender, and obedience to Him. It means being willing to prioritise Him above all else in one’s life.
The individual who is invited to follow Jesus responds by asking for permission to first go and bury his father. On the surface, this may seem like a reasonable request. Burying one’s father was a significant responsibility and a cultural obligation during that time. In Jewish culture, burial was a sacred duty, a way to honour the deceased. However, it is unclear whether the father had already died or whether the man was asking to stay with his father until his death and then attend to the burial. Some interpretations suggest the man may have wanted to fulfil the oldest son’s duty to bury the father, to remain near the father to obtain an inheritance, or to remain near the body for up to a year to rebury the bones, a practice of some Jews at the time.
Some interpret the individual’s response as a hesitancy or delay in fully committing to follow Jesus. It implies that the person wants to fulfil his familial duties and responsibilities before fully dedicating himself to discipleship. Another perspective suggests that the phrase “bury my father” could be interpreted figuratively, symbolising the person’s desire to wait until his father passes away before following Jesus. It may reflect the individual’s reluctance to leave behind worldly attachments and step into a life of discipleship.
Biblical connections
In Luke 9:60, Jesus answers the individual by saying, “Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.” Jesus emphasises the urgency and priority of proclaiming the Kingdom of God. His response highlights the spiritual significance of following Him and spreading the message of salvation to others. This verse is paralleled in Matthew 8:21-22, where a disciple makes a similar request and receives a similar response, reinforcing the theme of immediate obedience and the supremacy of Christ’s call over other obligations.
Application
Jesus’ response underscores the importance of wholehearted commitment to Him. Following Jesus requires prioritising His mission and purpose above personal concerns or cultural obligations. The response of Jesus reminds believers of the urgency in sharing the Gospel and actively participating in God’s kingdom work. Proclaiming the good news should take precedence over other temporal matters.
Reflection
It’s crucial to note that biblical interpretation may vary among individuals and denominations. It is beneficial to study the passage in its broader context and consult other reliable resources to gain a more comprehensive understanding.
