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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - Luke 9:60 - 9:60
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Leave the dead to bury their own dead (aphes tous nekrous thapsai tous heautōn nekrous). This paradox occurs so in Mat 8:22. The explanation is that the spiritually dead can bury the literally dead. For such a quick change in the use of the same words, see Joh 5:21-29 (on spiritual resurrection from sin in Joh 5:21-27, on bodily resurrection from the grave, Joh 5:28-29) and Joh 11:25. The harshness of this proverb to the scribe probably is due to the fact that he was manifestly using his aged father as an excuse for not giving Christ active service.
But go thou and publish abroad the kingdom of God (su de apelthōn diaggelle tēn basileian tou theou). The scribe’s duty is put sharply (But do thou, su de). Christ called him to preach, and he was using pious phrases about his father as a pretext. Many a preacher has had to face a similar delicate problem of duty to father, mother, brothers, sisters and the call to preach. This was a clear case. Jesus will help any man called to preach to see his duty. Certainly Jesus does not advocate renunciation of family duties on the part of preachers.