Breakdown of Luke 9:59-60

"To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”" — Jesus doesn't just say "Follow me"; He says it to another person, implying a specific, personal call. The man's immediate response, "let me first go and bury my father," reveals he saw Jesus' call…

Luke 9:59-60 Meaning Explained

All verses

Luke 9:59-60

To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

English Standard Version (ESV)

Jesus doesn't just say "Follow me"; He says it to another person, implying a specific, personal call. The man's immediate response, "let me first go and bury my father," reveals he saw Jesus' call as something to be prioritized after fulfilling his familial obligations, rather than a complete reordering of his life.

What Luke 9:59-60 means

Jesus is encountering people who express a desire to follow Him, but their commitments and priorities are not fully aligned with His radical call. After one man eagerly offers to follow anywhere, Jesus points out the precariousness of His own existence. Then, Jesus directly calls another individual, who responds by asking for a delay to fulfill a significant family obligation: burying his father.

The Urgent Call and the Delay

Jesus directly calls this man, 'Follow me.' But the man's response isn't an immediate 'yes.' What's going on here?

This encounter highlights a crucial tension in discipleship: the immediate, urgent call of Jesus versus the deeply ingrained human duties and ties.

A Direct Invitation

Jesus doesn't wait for this man to ask. He initiates the call: "Follow me." This isn't just an invitation; it's a command, a direct summons to a new life.

The Human Heart's Hesitation

The man's reply, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father," reveals a natural and understandable human concern. Burying a parent was a profound duty, a sign of respect and love.

The Priority of the Kingdom

However, Jesus' response in the following verse (Luke 9:60) redirects this man's focus. He says, "Let the dead bury their dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God." This doesn't dismiss the duty of burial, but it reorders priorities. The proclamation of God's kingdom is presented as an even higher calling, one that cannot wait. Jesus is essentially saying that his followers have a different kind of 'death' to address – spiritual death – and a more urgent mission.

What "Burying My Father" Really Means

Is this man simply asking for a bit of time, or is there more to his request than meets the eye?

The request to "bury my father" can be understood in a few layers, revealing the subtle ways our earthly attachments can hinder divine calling.

A Duty or an Excuse?

On one hand, it was a significant familial duty. In ancient cultures, the burial rites were solemn and involved communal participation. It's possible the father was elderly and nearing death, or perhaps the request was to participate in the full mourning rituals, which could last for some time.

The Risk of Delay

Understand the original words

Original language

Lordκύριος

kyrios · Greek Noun

A term of address signifying authority, reverence, and mastery. In the New Testament, it is used to acknowledge Jesus as both a teacher and the divine Lord to whom one owes absolute allegiance.

deadνεκρός

nekros · Greek Adjective used as a noun

The spiritual state of being separated from God due to sin and rebellion. Biblically, it refers to those who are spiritually unresponsive to the gospel and lack the life of God, regardless of their physical state.

kingdom of Godβασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ

basileia tou theou · Greek Noun Phrase

The sovereign rule and reign of God, both in the hearts of believers and in its future, consummated state over all creation. It represents the central theme of Jesus' preaching—the breaking in of divine authority to redeem and restore.

Historical context

Written: Likely written in the early to mid-60s AD
Author: Luke, traditionally understood as the physician and companion of the Apostle Paul
Location: Written likely from Rome or possibly Caesarea
Genre: Gospel narrative; notable for its detailed accounts and focus on Jesus' compassion and humanity

Historical background

This interaction highlights the radical nature of Jesus' call. While respecting familial duties was important in Jewish culture, Jesus demanded an absolute priority for following Him, even if it meant leaving behind the deeply significant act of burying one's own father.

Early 1st century AD— this verse
Jesus' Public Ministry
Jesus traveled throughout Galilee and Judea, gathering disciples and teaching about the Kingdom of God. His ministry involved calling people to follow him, often disrupting their previous lives and expectations.
Early 1st century AD
Jewish Mourning Customs
Jewish tradition involved specific mourning rituals, including a period of intense grief and a formal burial. These customs were deeply ingrained in society and family life.
Early 1st century AD
The Great Commission
Jesus instructed his disciples to preach the Gospel to all nations, a mission that required complete dedication and often meant leaving behind familiar surroundings and responsibilities.

Key themes

01Divine call versus human duty
02Urgency of God's kingdom
03Obedience supersedes earthly ties

Cross-references

Matthew 8:21

This passage presents a very similar request, showing that the call to follow Jesus sometimes means prioritizing His mission over deeply ingrained family obligations.

Deuteronomy 33:9

This verse highlights a profound loyalty to God that supersedes even familial ties, showing that such devotion is a valued trait in the eyes of the Lord.

Matthew 10:37

Jesus' teaching here directly addresses the tension of loving family more than Him, emphasizing that His call demands an ultimate allegiance that is unmatched.

1 Kings 19:20

Elisha's response to Elijah's call mirrors this situation, as he also asks for a brief delay to fulfill a familial duty before fully committing to the prophetic calling.

Scholarly commentary

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 . Ἀπελθόντι , having departed [ i.e. to go and ]) The dative. Here the man takes for granted his departure , does not ask leave for it. A different Kind of departure ( ἀπελθὼν , “ go thou and preach”) is enjoined in Luke 9:60 .
bengel

Luke 9:57-62: "And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest."

And a scribe approaching said to him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou shalt go. 20. And Jesus saith to him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests: but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. 21. And another of his disciples said to him, Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father. 22. And Jesus said to him, Fo…

calvin

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What Luke 9:59-60 means

Original language

Lordκύριος

kyrios · Greek Noun

A term of address signifying authority, reverence, and mastery. In the New Testament, it is used to acknowledge Jesus as both a teacher and the divine Lord to whom one owes absolute allegiance.

deadνεκρός

nekros · Greek Adjective used as a noun

kingdom of Godβασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ

basileia tou theou · Greek Noun Phrase

Historical background

Early 1st century AD— this verse

Jesus' Public Ministry

Jesus traveled throughout Galilee and Judea, gathering disciples and teaching about the Kingdom of God. His ministry involved calling people to follow him, often disrupting their previous lives and expectations.

Early 1st century AD

Jewish Mourning Customs

Jewish tradition involved specific mourning rituals, including a period of intense grief and a formal burial. These customs were deeply ingrained in society and family life.

Early 1st century AD

The Great Commission

Jesus instructed his disciples to preach the Gospel to all nations, a mission that required complete dedication and often meant leaving behind familiar surroundings and responsibilities.

Scholarly commentary

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 . Ἀπελθόντι , having departed [ i.e. to go and ]) The dative. Here the man takes for granted his departure , does not ask leave for it. A different Kind of departure ( ἀπελθὼν , “ go thou and preach”) is enjoined in Luke 9:60 .
bengel

Luke 9:57-62: "And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest."

And a scribe approaching said to him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou shalt go. 20. And Jesus saith to him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests: but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. 21. And another of his disciples said to him, Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father. 22. And Jesus said to him, Fo…

calvin

Frequently asked questions

What does Luke 9:59-60 mean?

Explain the meaning of Luke 9:59-60

What is the context of Luke 9:59-60?

Ask Sola about this verse

Ask Sola things like:

“What does "Lord" mean in the original Greek?”
“Why did Luke, traditionally understood as the physician and companion of the Apostle Paul write Luke 9:59-60?”
“How does divine call versus human duty show up in Luke 9:59-60?”

Ask in the Sola app Get the app

Live chat about Luke 9:59-60 is available in the Sola app.