Luke 9:61 Meaning and Explanation
“And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A third man offers to follow, but asks first to go home and say farewell to his household.
What Does Luke 9:61 Mean?
A third voice combines the first two: Lord, I will follow thee, the offer of the volunteer, but let me first go bid them farewell, the condition of the postponer. He asks no more than Elisha asked of Elijah, a goodbye to father and mother before leaving the plough, and Elijah allowed it. But a greater than Elijah is here, and the moment will not wait.
The farewell sounds innocent, and perhaps it was; but a heart negotiating its departure is already facing backward. Every first in these verses, however tender, sets the Lord second. He is not gathering reluctant conscripts; he is telling the truth that following him is a present-tense act, and that whatever is left for his sake is never lost on a Lord who repays beyond measure.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 9:61
What does Luke 9:61 mean?
A third man offers to follow, but asks first to go home and say farewell to his household.