Matthew 8:21
Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This disciple isn't just asking for permission to attend a funeral; he's asking to first go "and bury my father," implying he intends to return and stay with him until his death, which could take time. Jesus' radical response reveals that His kingdom demands an immediate, wholehearted commitment that often reorders our most deeply ingrained earthly loyalties.
Jesus has just called a scribe to follow Him, but the scribe, though willing, seems to be focused on worldly comfort. Jesus responds by highlighting the hardship of His own life and the demanding nature of discipleship. Immediately after this exchange, another follower asks to delay following Jesus until he can bury his father, suggesting a deeply ingrained filial duty that conflicts with Christ's urgent call.
Jesus calls people to follow Him, but not everyone who says 'yes' is truly committed. What's the difference between a 'disciple' and a 'follower' in Jesus' day?
The term 'disciple' in Jesus' time could refer to a wide range of people. Some were committed learners, while others were simply part of the crowd that attended Jesus' teachings.
Jesus' response to the disciple's request to bury his father is startling. Why would Jesus seem to dismiss such a fundamental human duty?
Jesus' command, 'Let the dead bury their own dead,' is not a callous dismissal of familial responsibility. Instead, it points to a radical reordering of priorities in light of the Kingdom of God.
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.
The Jewish cultural and religious emphasis on honoring parents, especially in burial rites, makes the disciple's request understandable. However, Jesus' response highlights the absolute, non-negotiable call to prioritize the Kingdom of God above even deeply ingrained societal duties.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus' Public Ministry Begins
Jesus begins his public ministry, gathering a crowd of followers and disciples who are drawn to his teachings and miracles.
Early 1st century AD
Disciples Called to Follow
Jesus issues direct calls to individuals, like the scribe and the disciple in this passage, to leave their previous lives and follow him immediately.
Early 1st century AD— this verse
Disciple Requests to Bury Father
A disciple asks Jesus for permission to delay following him in order to fulfill the filial duty of burying his deceased father, a significant cultural and religious obligation.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus' Radical Call to Discipleship
Jesus responds with a strong statement about the priority of the Kingdom of God, urging the disciple to let others handle the burial while he immediately follows.
This passage presents the same interaction but emphasizes Jesus' direct command to 'Follow me' before the disciple's request, highlighting the urgency and priority of discipleship.
1 Kings 19:20Elisha's response when called by Elijah, 'Let me go kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you,' parallels this disciple's request, showing a recurring tension between familial duty and divine calling.
Deuteronomy 33:9This verse from the Old Testament celebrates those who 'say of their father and mother, “I do not know them,”' showing a precedent for prioritizing God above even the most significant earthly relationships when called by Him.
Matthew 10:37Jesus states, 'Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me,' directly addressing the core issue of the disciple's request and establishing the supreme allegiance required for following Him.
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 isn't just asking for permission to attend a funeral; he's asking to first go "and bury my father," implying he intends to return and stay with him until his death, which could take time. Jesus' radical response reveals that His kingdom demands an immediate, wholehearted commitment that often reorders our most deeply ingrained earthly loyalties.
Jesus has just called a scribe to follow Him, but the scribe, though willing, seems to be focused on worldly comfort. Jesus responds by highlighting the hardship of His own life and the demanding nature of discipleship. Immediately after this exchange, another follower asks to delay following Jesus until he can bury his father, suggesting a deeply ingrained filial duty that conflicts with Christ's urgent call.
Jesus has just called a scribe to follow Him, but the scribe, though willing, seems to be focused on worldly comfort. Jesus responds by highlighting the hardship of His own life and the demanding nature of discipleship. Immediately after this exchange, another follower asks to delay following Jesus until he can bury his father, suggesting a deeply ingrained filial duty that conflicts with Christ's urgent call.
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Early 1st century AD
Teaching on Kingdom Priorities
This event becomes part of Jesus' broader teaching on the demanding and absolute nature of discipleship, emphasizing loyalty to God above all earthly ties.
"Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”" — This disciple isn't just asking for permission to attend a funeral; he's asking to first go "and bury my father," implying he intends to return and stay with him until his death, which could take tim…
