And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
Jesus calls a man to follow Him, and the man answers by asking permission first to go and bury his father. That call to follow Christ and proclaim God's kingdom takes priority over earthly family ties, personal considerations, and obligations, even over the duty of burying a father. Duty to God's cause must not be delayed or weighed against family feeling, for family duties remain secondary, and willing service requires prompt, complete, and unselfish commitment even at painful sacrifice.
The one called is directed to leave the burial to others and go preach, using influence by words and example in service to Christ rather than becoming absorbed in other concerns. The verse belongs to Christ's teaching about following Him and preparing for trials and persecution, calling for a heart in full harmony with Him and an intelligent understanding of His work and promises.
Jesus calls a man to follow Him, and the man answers by asking permission first to go and bury his father. That call to follow Christ and proclaim God's kingdom takes priority over earthly family ties, personal considerations, and obligations, even over the duty of burying a father. Duty to God's cause must not be delayed or weighed against family feeling, for family duties remain secondary, and willing service requires prompt, complete, and unselfish commitment even at painful sacrifice.
The one called is directed to leave the burial to others and go preach, using influence by words and example in service to Christ rather than becoming absorbed in other concerns. The verse belongs to Christ's teaching about following Him and preparing for trials and persecution, calling for a heart in full harmony with Him and an intelligent understanding of His work and promises.