Matthew 8:22

But Iesus said vnto him, Follow me, & let the dead, bury their dead. Matthew 8:22 (KJV)

But Jesus said unto him,

Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead. Matthew 8:22 (KJV)

Context: In the surrounding verses (Matthew 8:18‑22) two different situations are recorded. Verse 20 records Jesus’ own comment that “the Son of man hath not where he can lay his head,” emphasizing his itinerant ministry. In verse 21 another disciple says, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father,” and Jesus answers with the words quoted above. The earlier statement about a man declaring, “I will follow you wherever you go,” belongs to Luke 9:57 and is not part of Matthew 8.

Cultural Background: In Jewish culture at that time it was customary to bury the dead as soon as possible after their passing. The man’s request to bury his father may not have implied an immediate funeral but rather a desire to fulfil his filial duty, which could have required a significant amount of time.

Interpretation: When Jesus says, “Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead,” He emphasizes the urgency and priority of discipleship. His response is not a disregard for family responsibilities but a challenge to place the kingdom of God above all else. It highlights the importance of committing fully to Jesus without allowing earthly concerns to hinder or delay that commitment.

The phrase can be understood in two ways. a) Prioritising Spiritual Life: Jesus uses “dead” metaphorically for those who are spiritually dead—people without a relationship with God and preoccupied with worldly matters. He tells the man that true discipleship requires leaving behind the cares of the world, symbolised by the task of burying the dead, and focusing on the eternal matters of the kingdom. b) Recognising the Priority: In the context of Jewish burial customs, Jesus stresses that spiritual matters must take precedence over temporal concerns. While burying one’s father is a significant responsibility, following Him takes precedence even over the most important familial obligations.

Overall, Matthew 8:22 challenges believers to evaluate their commitment to Jesus and the kingdom of God. It urges us to place Him above all other priorities, recognising that following Him requires wholehearted devotion and a willingness to set aside worldly concerns.