Bible Strands
Matthew 8:22
But Jesus told him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus responds to a man who has just asked to postpone following Him in order to bury his father. This reply occurs between the man's request and the subsequent boarding of a boat with the other disciples.
The words — The imperative ἀκολούθει (akolouthei) literally means "keep following" or "continue on your path with," while αὐτῷ (autō) specifies that the command is directed to the man who spoke.
The thread — The contrast between physical burial and spiritual awakening runs through Ephesians 5:14, which commands the reader to rise from the dead, and Colossians 2:13, which states God made those dead in trespasses alive with Christ.
Why it lands — The text places Jesus' call above the culturally mandated duty of filial burial, requiring the reader to abandon conditional delays and commit to immediate pursuit of His authority.
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
But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
Cross-references
- 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.’”
- Colossians 2:13 When you were dead in your trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our trespasses,
- Ephesians 5:14 So it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
- Ephesians 2:5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved!
- Ephesians 2:1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,
- John 1:43 The next day Jesus decided to set out for Galilee. Finding Philip, He told him, “Follow Me.”
- 1 Timothy 5:6 But she who lives for pleasure is dead even while she is still alive.
- Matthew 4:18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.
- Matthew 9:9 As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax booth. “Follow Me,” He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him.