By James Riley Strange, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of New Testament, Samford University
Let the Dead Bury Their Dead
Luke 9:57–62
Read Luke 9:1–56 for context. Today’s collection of difficult teachings comes at an important moment in Luke’s Gospel. In verse 51, Jesus turns toward Jerusalem but He does not arrive there until chapter 19. As a result much of Luke is devoted to this trip, and we read the teachings and miracles that happen on the way in the shadow of the cross and in the light of the empty tomb.
In Luke 9:1–6 and 10:4, Jesus sends out disciples with instructions “to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal” while living like homeless people. They had already “left everything” to follow Jesus (see Luke 5:11, 28) and now they must give up their staffs, bags, food, money and clothing.
The implication is they should rely on God for their basic needs; the further implication is whoever welcomes them acts on God’s behalf.
The cost of discipleship is dear. Jesus makes that point again in Luke 9:23–27. In verses 46–48 He says that the disciples who are most like children (having no resources and possessing low rank and little power) will be the greatest.
Following Jesus includes no guarantee of comfort or safety. (57–58)
Jesus and His disciples are “going along the road” to Jerusalem. Hence this person’s declaration to follow “wherever you go” is an unwitting commitment to join Jesus on the cross. Jesus, however, only mentions His own homelessness. To follow Jesus during His ministry is to know neither where one will lodge nor what one will eat.
At the time Luke was writing to Theophilus (Luke 1:1–4; Acts 1:1), many others (including Paul, Barnabas, Silas, John Mark, Timothy, Apollos, Priscilla and Aquilla) had taken up the same practice. Some wealthy disciples supported the missionaries, yet they too left their homes (see Luke 8:1–3).
Delayed obedience is disobedience. (59–60)
The person who wishes to bury his father contrasts with the fishermen and Levi, who left everything to follow Jesus without delay. Yet burial of one’s dead relatives was an important obligation in ancient Judaism. It is clear that following Jesus to proclaim the kingdom of God supersedes familial duties, but what is the force of “Let the dead bury their own dead”?
Some have said Jesus uses hyperbole to drive home His point (see Matt. 5:29–30; Matt. 18:8–9; Luke 18:25). Others have speculated verse 60 implies the father is not yet dead so the requested delay is indefinite. Alan Culpepper suggests these “dead” are “spiritually dead”; hence Jesus is telling the man to choose (eternal) life by following Him.
We can’t move forward in Christ if we’re looking back. (61–62)
Surely we understand this person’s desire to say goodbye to the family he will leave behind. Jesus’ agricultural metaphor anticipates His instructions to ask God to send laborers for the harvest in Luke 10:2. These eschatological images convey urgency (see Luke 3:17). Because we do not know when the Son of Man will return and judgment will happen we must proclaim the arrival of God’s kingdom without delay and it must be our highest priority.
However one reads Jesus’ responses to these would-be disciples, His words are difficult to hear and a challenge to understand. Living them out will require our own conversation with Jesus: “Lord, I know You call me to follow You immediately and despite what it may cost me. Teach me what that means in my life and in the present situation.” Following Jesus requires prayer. May we never cease doing so.
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