Luke 9:61
Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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While it seems like a simple request to say goodbye, the Greek word used for "bid farewell" can also imply giving final instructions or settling affairs. This suggests the man wasn't just looking for an emotional parting, but a practical way to disengage from his old life, which Jesus saw as a veiled hesitation to fully commit.
Following Jesus' demanding call, two others present themselves with reservations: one wanting to bury his father before following, and another asking permission to first say goodbye to his household. Jesus’ responses are sharp, highlighting that the kingdom of God demands absolute commitment, even above familial duties or final arrangements, contrasting the urgency of spiritual calls with earthly obligations.
This man's request seems so reasonable, doesn't it? Just a quick goodbye to his family. But Jesus saw something deeper.
When Jesus called people to follow Him, it wasn't an invitation to a casual Bible study. It was a radical life change. This man's desire to 'bid farewell' wasn't just a polite formality. The original language suggests he wanted to 'dismiss' or 'give final instructions' – to wrap up his old life completely before starting the new one. Jesus knew that 'just a moment' of looking back could easily turn into a permanent turn away. It's a powerful reminder that commitment to God often requires an immediate, decisive break from lingering attachments that could pull us back into old ways of living.
Jesus uses a vivid farming image to explain why this man's request was a problem. What does a farmer's focus have to do with following God?
Jesus' response, 'No one, after putting his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God,' draws from common agricultural life. A straight furrow requires the ploughman to fix his eyes on the horizon, not on the uneven ground behind him. If his gaze drifts back, the plough veers off course, ruining the work. In the same way, Jesus teaches that truly following God demands our full attention and commitment. Dwelling on or being drawn back to what we've left behind distracts us from the spiritual 'furrow' God has us on, rendering us 'unfit' for His kingdom's work. It's about wholehearted devotion, not divided loyalties.
Understand the original words
Kyrios · Greek Noun
A title of respect, authority, and divine recognition. In the New Testament, it acknowledges Jesus' sovereignty, messianic identity, and deity.
akoloutheō · Greek Verb
To walk behind someone, implying discipleship, imitation, and commitment. It signifies a life of radical obedience and abandonment of one's own agenda to join the mission and path of Jesus.
This passage shows Elisha, who was called by Elijah to follow him, asking for permission to go and say farewell to his family first, similar to the man in Luke. Elisha's request was granted, but the context here in Luke implies Jesus saw a deeper hesitation in this follower.
Luke 14:26Jesus states that anyone who comes to Him must 'hate' their family in comparison to their love for Him. This passage directly addresses the extreme level of commitment required, highlighting why Jesus couldn't allow the man to linger and 'say farewell' which could easily turn into a permanent departure.
Matthew 8:21-22In a parallel account, Jesus tells another potential follower, 'Let me first go and bury my father.' Jesus' response, 'Leave the dead to bury their own dead,' underscores the urgency and absolute nature of following Him, which transcends even familial duties.
1 Corinthians 9:24Paul uses the imagery of a race, stating that 'everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.' This speaks to the discipline and undivided focus needed for spiritual pursuits, mirroring Jesus' point that looking back or lingering on earthly ties disqualifies one from the 'kingdom of God.'
vincentLuke 9:61: "And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house."
To bid farewell (ἀποτάξασθαι)In this sense the word is used only in later Greek. In classical Greek it signifies to set apart or assign, as a soldier to his post or an official to his office, and later to detach soldiers. Hence to dismiss one with orders. This latter sense may, as Kypke suggests, be included in the meaning of the word in this passage; the man des…
wesleyLuke 9:61: "And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house."
9:61 Suffer me first to bid them farewell that are in my house - As Elisha did after Elijah had called him from the plough, 1Kings 19:19; to which our Lord's answer seems to allude.
While it seems like a simple request to say goodbye, the Greek word used for "bid farewell" can also imply giving final instructions or settling affairs. This suggests the man wasn't just looking for an emotional parting, but a practical way to disengage from his old life, which Jesus saw as a veiled hesitation to fully commit.
Following Jesus' demanding call, two others present themselves with reservations: one wanting to bury his father before following, and another asking permission to first say goodbye to his household. Jesus’ responses are sharp, highlighting that the kingdom of God demands absolute commitment, even above familial duties or final arrangements, contrasting the urgency of spiritual calls with earthly obligations.
Following Jesus' demanding call, two others present themselves with reservations: one wanting to bury his father before following, and another asking permission to first say goodbye to his household. Jesus’ responses are sharp, highlighting that the kingdom of God demands absolute commitment, even above familial duties or final arrangements, contrasting the urgency of spiritual calls with earthly obligations.
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"Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.”" — While it seems like a simple request to say goodbye, the Greek word used for "bid farewell" can also imply giving final instructions or settling affairs. This suggests the man wasn't just looking for…
