Bible Strands
Luke 9:60
But Jesus told him, “Let the dead bury their own dead. You, however, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks to a man who has just requested permission to delay following him until he can bury his father. This reply occurs in a sequence of encounters where potential followers ask to postpone their commitment.
The words — The imperative ἄφες (aphes) literally means “do leave,” applied to the subject νεκροὺς (nekrous), meaning “dead.” The text pairs these terms with a direct command to go and proclaim the kingdom of God.
The thread — The theme of spiritual death appears in 1 Timothy 5:6, which describes a person living for pleasure as dead while physically alive. The call to endure hardship for Christ parallels the soldier imagery in 2 Timothy 2:3.
Why it lands — The verse requires immediate obedience to the proclamation of God’s kingdom over personal or familial obligations. It asks the reader to prioritize the divine call above cultural or social expectations.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
Cross-references
- 2 Timothy 2:3 Join me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
- 1 Timothy 5:6 But she who lives for pleasure is dead even while she is still alive.
- John 21:15 When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus replied, “Feed My lambs.”
- Luke 15:32 But it was fitting to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”
- 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction.
- 2 Timothy 4:5 But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
- Revelation 3:1 “To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of the One who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation for being alive, yet you are dead.
- 1 Corinthians 9:16 Yet when I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because I am obligated to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
- 2 Corinthians 5:16 So from now on we regard no one according to the flesh. Although we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
- Ephesians 2:1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,