Bible Strands
Luke 9:61
Still another said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first let me bid farewell to my family.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — A third prospective disciple speaks to Jesus immediately after the man who asked to bury his father receives the command to proclaim the kingdom. The speaker addresses Jesus directly as “Lord” while offering a conditional agreement to follow.
The words — ἕτερος (heteros) identifies this speaker as a distinct individual from the previous two, while πρῶτον (prōton) establishes the requested delay as a prerequisite condition. ἀκολουθήσω (akolouthēsō) literally means “I will follow,” stating the intention before introducing the stipulation.
The thread — This conditional commitment mirrors the excuse-making pattern recorded in Luke 14:18 and echoes Elisha’s request in 1 Kings 19:20 to bid farewell to his parents before pursuing a prophetic calling. Jesus’ declaration in Luke 9:62 directly addresses this hesitation by contrasting delayed allegiance with the singular focus required for the kingdom.
Why it lands — The text demands immediate, unconditional allegiance over delayed obedience framed as familial duty. It requires the reader to examine whether personal timelines or relationships are being placed above the command to follow Christ without condition.
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
And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
Cross-references
- Luke 14:26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be My disciple.
- 1 Kings 19:20 So Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, and then I will follow you.” “Go on back,” Elijah replied, “for what have I done to you?”
- Luke 14:18 But one after another they all began to make excuses. The first one said, ‘I have bought a field, and I need to go see it. Please excuse me.’
- Matthew 10:37 Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me;
- Deuteronomy 33:9 He said of his father and mother, ‘I do not consider them.’ He disregarded his brothers and did not know his own sons, for he kept Your word and maintained Your covenant.
- Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever you find to do with your hands, do it with all your might, for in Sheol, where you are going, there is no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.