1 Kings 19:20-21
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Elisha’s request to say goodbye to his parents isn't a sign of hesitation, but a profound act of honoring family ties before fully surrendering to God's call. Elijah’s sharp reply, "What have I done to you?", highlights that this isn't about Elijah's power, but about the undeniable and irreversible nature of responding to God's summons.
And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” And he returned from following him and took the yoke of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the yokes of the oxen and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and went after Elijah and assisted him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Elijah, on the run from Jezebel's wrath and feeling utterly alone, is called by God to anoint a successor, Elisha. As Elijah throws his cloak over Elisha, signifying this divine appointment, Elisha immediately asks permission to return home and say goodbye to his family. This encounter sets the stage for Elisha's full commitment to follow Elijah and learn from him.
Elisha’s response to Elijah’s call isn't an immediate 'yes.' It’s a pause, a condition. What does this hesitation teach us about truly following God?
The Unfinished Business
When Elijah calls Elisha, the immediate reaction is to prepare for departure, but not quite yet. He asks to fulfill a filial duty: to say goodbye to his parents. This isn't a sign of weakness, but a testament to the deep-rooted human connections we all have.
God's Radical Invitation
Jesus himself spoke about the demands of discipleship, saying things like, 'Let the dead bury their own dead' (Matthew 8:22). This might sound harsh, but it highlights that following God often requires prioritizing the eternal call above even the most sacred earthly bonds. Elijah's response, "Go back again, for what have I done to you?" is a profound challenge. It means the call Elijah represents is not just a suggestion; it’s a complete reorientation of life. Elisha’s choice was not if he would follow, but when and how he would leave his past behind.
Elisha wasn't just leaving a job; he was leaving his livelihood. The oxen and the plowing represent his entire world. What does this symbolic act signify?
From Labor to Legacy
Elisha is depicted as actively plowing with twelve yoke of oxen. This indicates he was not merely a farmhand but likely a man of means and responsibility. His immediate action is to 'leave the oxen.' This is a dramatic, decisive break.
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The Ultimate Sacrifice
By forsaking his tools and his entire agricultural operation – symbolized by the oxen – Elisha makes a powerful statement. He is burning the bridges behind him, signaling that his former life is irrevocably behind him. This act mirrors other biblical moments where significant possessions or professions were abandoned for God's calling.
Understand the original words
tsemed · Hebrew Noun
A wooden beam used to harness animals together for work, often symbolizing submission, servitude, or the burden of labor. In a metaphorical sense, it can represent allegiance to a master or obedience to God's law.
zabach · Hebrew Verb
A religious act of killing an animal or offering goods to God, often as a sign of dedication, thanksgiving, or atonement for sin. In this context, it signifies a total surrender of one's former life and livelihood to God's service.
sharat · Hebrew Verb
A person who attends to or serves another in a position of authority or spiritual leadership. This role implies faithful obedience, assistance, and support in carrying out the master's mission.
This moment highlights the profound personal cost of answering God's call. Elisha's immediate, almost abrupt, departure from his family and farm underscores the radical nature of discipleship in a time of deep spiritual corruption.
c. 931 BC
Death of Solomon and Divided Kingdom
After Solomon's death, the united kingdom splits into the northern Kingdom of Israel (10 tribes) and the southern Kingdom of Judah (2 tribes). This division leads to political instability and frequent religious compromise in both kingdoms.
Mid-9th century BC
Reign of Ahab and Jezebel
King Ahab reigns in Israel, marrying Jezebel, a Phoenician princess. Jezebel aggressively promotes the worship of Baal, leading to widespread idolatry and persecution of Yahweh's prophets.
Mid-9th century BC
Elijah's Confrontation at Mount Carmel
Elijah boldly challenges 450 prophets of Baal to a contest on Mount Carmel to determine who the true God is. Yahweh answers Elijah's prayer with fire from heaven, demonstrating His power and leading to the slaughter of the Baal prophets.
Mid-9th century BC
Elijah Flees to Mount Horeb
Fearing for his life after his victory at Carmel and Jezebel's vow to kill him, Elijah flees south. He travels for 40 days to Mount Horeb (Sinai), the mountain of God.
Mid-9th century BC— this verse
Elijah Anoints Successors
At God's command, Elijah returns to Syria and anoints Hazael as king over Syria, Jehu as king over Israel, and Elisha as a prophet in his place. This is a pivotal moment of divine transition.
Mid-9th century BC
Elisha Begins His Ministry
Elisha, a prosperous farmer, is called by Elijah and immediately leaves his livelihood to follow him. He becomes Elijah's devoted disciple and successor, continuing his prophetic work.
This passage presents a similar situation where a potential disciple asks permission to say goodbye to their family, and Jesus gives a firm but loving response about the immediate demands of following Him.
Matthew 10:37Jesus explicitly states that loyalty to Him must surpass even the deepest family bonds, highlighting the radical nature of discipleship called for in both this verse and Elijah's interaction with Elisha.
Joshua 24:15This verse echoes the theme of decisive commitment, urging the people to choose who they will serve, mirroring Elijah's expectation that Elisha's decision to follow would be absolute.
1 Samuel 3:10Young Samuel's response, 'Speak, for your servant hears,' reflects a similar readiness to obey God's call without hesitation, much like Elijah demands of Elisha.
Elisha’s request to say goodbye to his parents isn't a sign of hesitation, but a profound act of honoring family ties before fully surrendering to God's call. Elijah’s sharp reply, "What have I done to you?", highlights that this isn't about Elijah's power, but about the undeniable and irreversible nature of responding to God's summons.
Elijah, on the run from Jezebel's wrath and feeling utterly alone, is called by God to anoint a successor, Elisha. As Elijah throws his cloak over Elisha, signifying this divine appointment, Elisha immediately asks permission to return home and say goodbye to his family. This encounter sets the stage for Elisha's full commitment to follow Elijah and learn from him.
Elijah, on the run from Jezebel's wrath and feeling utterly alone, is called by God to anoint a successor, Elisha. As Elijah throws his cloak over Elisha, signifying this divine appointment, Elisha immediately asks permission to return home and say goodbye to his family. This encounter sets the stage for Elisha's full commitment to follow Elijah and learn from him.
"And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” And he returned from following him and took the yoke o…" — Elisha’s request to say goodbye to his parents isn't a sign of hesitation, but a profound act of honoring family ties before fully surrendering to God's call. Elijah’s sharp reply, "What have I don…
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Last reviewed October 2026
