Luke 9:57-62 · Bible study
Luke 9:57-62 Commentary: The Cost of Following Jesus
Greek · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Three would-be followers learn that discipleship demands total commitment, no security, no delay, no divided heart.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Following Jesus requires total commitment, no reservations, no delays, no divided loyalties.
- Key words: akoloutheō (follow, vv.57,59,61), apotassō (bid farewell, v.61), euthetos (fit, well-placed, v.62).
- Main debate: Whether Jesus literally demands abandoning family duties (a hard saying) or hyperbolically insists on absolute priority (contextual to the man's hesitation).
- Theological theme: The supremacy of the Kingdom over all earthly ties and comforts.
- Best use: Teaching on discipleship, decision-making, and the cost of faith.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
57As they were walking along the road, someone said to Jesus, “I will follow You wherever You go.”
58Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.”
59Then He said to another man, “Follow Me.” The man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
60But Jesus told him, “Let the dead bury their own dead. You, however, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”
61Still another said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first let me bid farewell to my family.”
62Then Jesus declared, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and then looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
WEB World English Bible 2000
57As they went on the way, a certain man said to him, “I want to follow you wherever you go, Lord.”
58Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
59He said to another, “Follow me!” But he said, “Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father.”
60But Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead, but you go and announce God’s Kingdom.”
61Another also said, “I want to follow you, Lord, but first allow me to say good-bye to those who are at my house.”
62But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for God’s Kingdom.”
KJV King James Version 1769
57And 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.
58And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
59And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
60Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
61And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
62And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
57And as they went on the way, a certain man said unto him, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
58And Jesus said unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the heaven have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
59And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
60But he said unto him, Leave the dead to bury their own dead; but go thou and publish abroad the kingdom of God.
61And another also said, I will follow thee, Lord; but first suffer me to bid farewell to them that are at my house.
62But Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
57And it came to pass, as they are going on in the way, a certain one said unto him, `I will follow thee wherever thou mayest go, sir;'
58and Jesus said to him, `The foxes have holes, and the fowls of the heaven places of rest, but the Son of Man hath not where he may recline the head.'
59And he said unto another, `Be following me;' and he said, `Sir, permit me, having gone away, first to bury my father;'
60and Jesus said to him, `Suffer the dead to bury their own dead, and thou, having gone away, publish the reign of God.'
61And another also said, `I will follow thee, sir, but first permit me to take leave of those in my house;'
62and Jesus said unto him, `No one having put his hand on a plough, and looking back, is fit for the reign of God.'
Darby Darby Bible 1890
57And it came to pass as they went in the way, one said to him, I will follow thee wheresoever thou goest, Lord.
58And Jesus said to him, The foxes have holes and the birds of the heaven roosting-places, but the Son of man has not where he may lay his head.
59And he said to another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, allow me to go first and bury my father.
60But Jesus said to him, Suffer the dead to bury their own dead, but do thou go and announce the kingdom of God.
61And another also said, I will follow thee, Lord, but first allow me to bid adieu to those at my house.
62But Jesus said to him, No one having laid his hand on [the] plough and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
57And it came to pass, as they walked in the way, that a certain man said to him: I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
58Jesus said to him: The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air nests: but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
59But he said to another: Follow me. And he said: Lord, suffer me first to go and to bury my father.
60And Jesus said to him: Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
61And another said: I will follow thee, Lord; but let me first take my leave of them that are at my house.
62Jesus said to him: No man putting his hand to the plough and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Luke 9:57
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that this passage presents the radical demands of discipleship through three encounters, each addressing a different form of hesitation. On the first, Matthew Henry and Calvin note that Jesus warns an enthusiastic scribe that following him means sharing his homelessness, foxes and birds have shelter, but the Son of Man does not (Luke 9:58). The second encounter, as Barnes and the Cambridge Bible explain, shows Jesus overruling even the sacred duty of burying one's father, because proclaiming the Kingdom takes priority (v.60). Vincent adds that the phrase 'leave the dead to bury their own dead' distinguishes the spiritually dead from the living called to mission. The third man's request to bid farewell, unique to Luke, echoes Elisha's call (1 Kgs 19:20), but, as Wesley observes, Jesus' response, 'No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God', insists on undivided attention. The plow image, from Hesiod (Cambridge), illustrates that a farmer looking behind cannot make straight furrows. Thus, the three scenes together warn against romanticism, delay, and divided loyalty. All point to the same truth: following Jesus demands total, unreserved commitment.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: Jesus demands that his followers place the kingdom of God above all earthly security, family obligations, and personal attachments.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| The meaning of 'the dead' in v.60 | Jesus distinguishes between the spiritually dead (those outside the Kingdom) and the physically dead. | Some read this as a literal command to neglect burial duties, underscoring the radical break required. Others see a hyperbolic call to prioritize the Kingdom, given the man's likely heart condition. |
| The timing of the father's death | The request could mean either 'let me wait until my father dies' or 'let me go bury him now.' | The Cambridge Bible leans toward the former interpretation (an indefinite postponement), while others allow for immediate burial, which Jesus still overrides. |
| The severity of Jesus' responses | Jesus' words are intentionally sharp to expose hidden hesitations and demand decision. | Is this a universal rule for all disciples (Barnes' view) or a specific rebuke tailored to these individuals' divided hearts? The passage contains both a general principle and a specific pastoral challenge. |
Historical & Cultural Context
This passage occurs during Jesus' journey toward Jerusalem, a structural turning point in Luke's gospel. Luke 9:51 says Jesus 'intently set his face to go to Jerusalem,' knowing his death and resurrection lay ahead. The road takes him through Samaria, where a village rejects him because he is heading to Jerusalem (v.53). Thus the encounters happen in a context of rejection and impending sacrifice.
The first man is identified by Matthew (8:19) as a scribe, a trained scholar of the Law. His offer appears noble, but rabbis were often honored and secure, while Jesus has no fixed home. The second man is already described as a 'disciple' in Matthew 8:21 (Cambridge Bible). His request to bury his father could mean waiting until his father dies, possibly a long delay, or more likely, performing the immediate burial rites. In Jewish culture, burial was a supreme family obligation, even overriding study of Torah. Jesus' response 'let the dead bury their own dead' shocks by placing the proclamation of God's kingdom above this duty.
The third man's request to bid farewell mirrors Elisha's request to Elijah (1 Kgs 19:19, 20). There, Elijah permitted the leave. Here, Jesus denies it, because the urgency of the kingdom surpasses even that precedent. The plow image fits an agrarian society; light wooden plows required constant forward focus (Cambridge Bible). The word 'fit' (euthetos, well-placed) in Vincent's analysis suggests that one who looks back is not properly positioned for the kingdom. Luke alone records this third aspirant, emphasizing the need for complete detachment from worldly ties. The contrast between Elijah's permission and Jesus' refusal highlights the greater crisis of the coming kingdom. The passage thus prepares readers for the cost of following a Messiah who has 'no place to lay his head' and who calls disciples to share that vulnerability.
Textual Notes
Reception History
Augustine, as cited by the Cambridge Bible, commented on v.60 with the phrase Amandus est generator, sed praeponendus est Creator (the begetter is to be loved, but the Creator is to be preferred). This shaped medieval monastic calls to abandon family for Christ. The passage became a touchstone for missionary vocation, especially the phrase 'proclaim the kingdom of God.' The plow metaphor appears in early Christian art as a symbol of single-minded devotion. Protestant reformers like Calvin used the passage to urge the absolute priority of God's call over every human tie. In modern evangelical contexts, it challenges comfortable, conditional faith and is often cited in sermons on the cost of discipleship.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The Risk of Romantic Enthusiasm (vv.57, 58). The scribe's promise sounds spiritual, but Jesus warns that following him means poverty and homelessness, not power or honor.
- The Priority of the Kingdom Over Family (vv.59, 60). Even the most sacred human obligation, burying a parent, must give way to the urgent call to proclaim the Kingdom.
- The Danger of Divided Loyalty (vv.61, 62). A farmer who looks back cannot plow straight. Following Jesus requires forward focus, not glances at what was left behind.
Five-point outline
- Enthusiasm must count the cost (vv.57, 58).
- Jesus takes the initiative in calling, we respond to his command, not our timing (v.59).
- Family ties, however noble, cannot delay obedience to the Kingdom (v.60).
- Saying farewell can become an excuse to avoid full commitment (v.61).
- Undivided attention is the mark of fitness for the Kingdom (v.62).
Illustration hooks
- A person considering full-time ministry but worried about financial insecurity, Jesus' words about foxes and birds challenge our need for a safety net.
- A student who says, 'I'll follow Jesus after I finish my degree and get settled,' using a legitimate life stage as a delay tactic.
- A parent who postpones a faith commitment because of pressure from extended family, the third man's farewell becomes a real-world test.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Does Jesus really expect me to neglect my family responsibilities for the sake of the gospel?
- How do I know if my 'reasonable delay' is actually a heart issue?
- What does 'looking back' look like in everyday life, is it just regret, or something more like divided attention?
Leading a Discussion
This passage confronts us with the uncompromising nature of Jesus' call. Each would-be follower faces a different test: comfort, family duty, and the pull of home. As you discuss, resist the urge to soften Jesus' words. Instead, let them press on your own heart. Where do your hesitations show?
Discussion questions
- Read Luke 9:57, 62 aloud. What initial impressions do you have of Jesus' responses?
- Why do you think Jesus responds so harshly to the scribe's enthusiastic offer? What assumption is Jesus challenging?
- The second man's request to bury his father seemed reasonable. What does Jesus' answer reveal about the priority of the Kingdom?
- How does the third man's request compare with Elisha's in 1 Kings 19:19, 20? Why does Jesus deny what Elijah permitted?
- What does the metaphor of a plowman looking back teach us about what it means to be 'fit' for the Kingdom?
- Which of these three tests feels closest to your own life right now, the need for security, the pull of family, or the comfort of home?
- What would it look like for our church community to support one another in saying 'yes' to Jesus without conditions?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Exodus 19:8 | All the people answered together, and said, “All that Yahweh has spoken we will do.” Moses reported the words of the people to Yahweh. |
| Matthew 8:19 | A scribe came and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” |
| Matthew 8:22 | But Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.” |
| Luke 9:51 | It came to pass, when the days were near that he should be taken up, he intently set his face to go to Jerusalem |
| John 13:37 | Peter said to him, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” |
| Joshua 24:19 | Joshua said to the people, “You can’t serve Yahweh, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God. He will not forgive your disobedience nor your sins. |
| Joshua 24:22 | Joshua said to the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen Yahweh yourselves, to serve him.” They said, “We are witnesses.” |
| Psalms 84:3 | Yes, the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young, near your altars, Yahweh of Armies, my King, and my God. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
8 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke observes that Jesus refuses the second would-be follower's request to set his home affairs in order because it reveals too deep an attachment to earthly things. The plough metaphor means a minister cannot combine evangelistic work with secular employment or worldly ambitions and remain fit to guide others to heaven.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes insists that entering the Christian life demands immediate, wholehearted decision, not consultation with worldly friends or lingering regret. A person who looks back at the world's pleasures or holds anything back is not fit for God's kingdom, because true religion requires total renunciation.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin highlights that the man in Luke 9:60 is called specifically to be a preacher of the Gospel, an office that demands leaving home even for family duties. Christ corrects the man's lingering weakness rather than ignoring it. The third man's request to say goodbye reveals a worldly attachment that disqualifies him from following Christ immediately.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill observes that
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB sees a critical difference between the second disciple's hesitation and Elisha's request to bid farewell to his parents. The disciple's "but" reveals a divided heart, not a temporary delay. Plowing requires undivided attention; looking back, even without fully turning away, shows a reluctance to break with the world.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange observes that Luke groups these encounters by temperament: a choleric, a sanguine, a melancholic, and a phlegmatic. Each represents a one-sided human tendency, while Jesus alone displays the perfect harmony of soul that makes Him
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry sees this man as promising far more than he had thought through — a rash, hasty pledge made without counting the cost. Jesus does not celebrate his zeal but instead warns him to expect poverty and hardship, since even the Son of Man had no place to rest.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley links Jesus' call to leave family behind with Elisha's departure from the plough, suggesting the disciple must accept the cost of following. He interprets being fit for the kingdom as readiness either to spread God's kingdom or to receive it, highlighting the personal conditions of discipleship.