Luke 9:57
What does Luke 9:57 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 9:57 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 9:57 means
As they traveled, a man said, “I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.” This spontaneous vow expresses enthusiasm and willingness to commit to Jesus’ itinerary. Yet it overlooks the realities of discipleship Jesus has been teaching—suffering, cost, and uncertainty. The claim reveals human eagerness but also naiveté; following Jesus requires more than impulse. The forthcoming replies from Jesus show that wholehearted following demands radical detachment from normal obligations and comforts, testing the sincerity of such promises.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And as they went on the way, a certain man said unto him, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And as they went on the way, a certain man said unto him, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And when they were on the way, a certain man said to him, I will come after you wherever you go.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And it came to pass, as they are going on in the way, a certain one said unto him, `I will follow thee wherever thou mayest go, sir;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And it came to pass, as they walked in the way, that a certain man said to him: I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And it came to pass as they went in the way, one said to him, I will follow thee wheresoever thou goest, Lord.
Context
This verse opens a series of personal encounters where individuals volunteer to follow Jesus. Placed after rejection and rebuke (vv.53–56), it contrasts zeal with realism. Luke uses these scenarios to probe what following Jesus practically entails. The episode leads directly into Jesus’ reminder that the Son of man has no secure place to rest (v.58), cautioning that discipleship includes homelessness and sacrifice.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 8:19
And there came a scribe, and said unto him, Teacher, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
- Luke 9:57
And as they went on the way, a certain man said unto him, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
- John 13:37
Peter saith unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee even now? I will lay down my life for thee.
- Luke 9:51
And it came to pass, when the days were well-nigh come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,
- Exodus 19:8
And all the people answered together, and said, All that Jehovah hath spoken we will do. And Moses reported the words of the people unto Jehovah.
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