Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This disciple's request to "first go and bury my father" might seem like a reasonable filial duty, but the word "first" reveals a subtle hesitation. He's not outright refusing Jesus' call, but he's prioritizing an earthly obligation, hinting at a heart not yet fully surrendered to the immediacy of God's kingdom.
Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just called a scribe to follow him, who immediately expresses eagerness but is warned about the hardships of following. Then, another man, identified as a disciple, asks Jesus for permission to first go and bury his father, indicating a strong familial obligation that seems to temporarily delay his commitment.
Jesus had followers, but not all were truly committed. What's the difference between just being around Jesus and truly following Him?
The term 'disciple' in this context refers to someone learning from Jesus, part of the broader crowd of followers. It doesn't automatically mean they had made the radical commitment of the Twelve.
This disciple asks to bury his father – a deeply respected duty. Why would Jesus demand something that seems to override such a fundamental obligation?
This request highlights a crucial tension: the demands of family loyalty versus the absolute priority of following Jesus.
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Jesus' response, 'Let the dead bury their dead,' sounds harsh. What does He mean by this stark contrast?
Jesus uses powerful language to distinguish between those spiritually alive and those spiritually dead.
Understand the original words
kyrios · Greek Noun
A title of honor and authority, acknowledging Jesus as Master, Ruler, and divine Sovereign over the lives of his followers.
mathētēs · Greek Noun
A learner or follower who adheres to the teachings and lifestyle of a master; in the NT, one who follows Jesus in commitment and obedience.
This exchange reveals the intense demands of following Jesus. The request to bury a father, a deeply ingrained cultural and religious duty in Jewish society, was seen as a primary obligation, yet Jesus prioritized the urgent spiritual mission above even this profound filial duty.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus' Public Ministry Begins
Jesus commences his public teaching and healing ministry in Galilee, attracting large crowds and a growing number of followers, both dedicated disciples and casual observers.
Early 1st century AD
The Call to Discipleship
Jesus begins to call individuals to leave their former lives and follow him, emphasizing a radical commitment to his message and mission.
Early 1st century AD— this verse
Jesus Calls a Disciple to Follow Immediately
Jesus directly calls a man to follow him, but the man requests a delay to attend to his father's funeral, highlighting the tension between familial obligations and the call to discipleship.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus' Radical Response on Priorities
Jesus responds with a challenging statement, 'Let the dead bury their dead,' urging an immediate and unwavering commitment to spreading the Kingdom of God above all other duties.
This passage from Luke parallels Matthew's account, showing Jesus calling this disciple to follow immediately and the disciple's plea to bury his father first, highlighting the tension between immediate obedience and deeply ingrained filial duty.
Genesis 50:4-5This Old Testament account of Joseph's burial mirrors the filial duty expressed in Matthew 8:21, showing that honoring parents, even in death, was a significant command and expectation within Jewish tradition.
1 Kings 19:20When Elijah called Elisha, Elisha asked to go and bid farewell to his family, a request Elijah granted, illustrating a different response to a similar situation and showing a nuanced approach to following God's call.
Matthew 10:37-38Jesus' later teaching here directly addresses the hierarchy of love and loyalty, stating that love for family must be secondary to love for Him, which provides the theological framework for His challenging response in Matthew 8:21.
barnesMatthew 8:21: "And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father."
And another of his disciples ... - The word "disciple" properly signifies "learner," and was given to the followers of Jesus because they received him as their teacher. See the notes at Matthew 5:1 . It does not of necessity mean that a "disciple" was a pious man, but only one of the multitude, who, for various causes, might attend on his instructions. See John 6:66 ; John 9:28 . Suffer m…
bensonMatthew 8:21: "And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father."
Matthew 8:21-22 . And another said, Lord, &c. — Luke informs us, Luke 9:59 , that Christ had said to this man, Follow me, to which command he replied, as is here stated, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father — His meaning seems to be, Suffer me to continue at home with my father, who is far advanced in years, till I have performed the last filial office to him, in committing his…
This disciple's request to "first go and bury my father" might seem like a reasonable filial duty, but the word "first" reveals a subtle hesitation. He's not outright refusing Jesus' call, but he's prioritizing an earthly obligation, hinting at a heart not yet fully surrendered to the immediacy of God's kingdom.
Jesus has just called a scribe to follow him, who immediately expresses eagerness but is warned about the hardships of following. Then, another man, identified as a disciple, asks Jesus for permission to first go and bury his father, indicating a strong familial obligation that seems to temporarily delay his commitment.
Jesus has just called a scribe to follow him, who immediately expresses eagerness but is warned about the hardships of following. Then, another man, identified as a disciple, asks Jesus for permission to first go and bury his father, indicating a strong familial obligation that seems to temporarily delay his commitment.
"Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”" — This disciple's request to "first go and bury my father" might seem like a reasonable filial duty, but the word "first" reveals a subtle hesitation. He's not outright refusing Jesus' call, but he's p…
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Last reviewed October 2026