Luke 9:60
What does Luke 9:60 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 9:60 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 9:60 means
Jesus said, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead; but go thou and publish abroad the kingdom of God.” This startling command emphasizes urgency: the proclamation of the kingdom takes precedence over customary familial duties. The phrase likely contrasts spiritual death (those unconcerned with the kingdom) with those alive to God’s reign. Jesus isn’t dishonoring filial piety but insisting the mission transcends normal obligations when an eternal cause is at stake. The call demands radical reorientation: the kingdom’s advance cannot be delayed by typical social expectations.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But he said unto him, Leave the dead to bury their own dead; but go thou and publish abroad the kingdom of God.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But he said unto him, Leave the dead to bury their own dead; but go thou and publish abroad the kingdom of God.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But he said to him, Let the dead take care of their dead; it is for you to go and give news of the kingdom of God.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and Jesus said to him, `Suffer the dead to bury their own dead, and thou, having gone away, publish the reign of God.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And Jesus said to him: Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But Jesus said to him, Suffer the dead to bury their own dead, but do thou go and announce the kingdom ofGod.
Context
This verse responds to the burial request (v.59) and underscores the chapter’s theme of costly, prioritized discipleship. Luke frames Jesus’ language to provoke re-evaluation of loyalties: some obligations must yield to the kingdom’s urgency. Immediately after, another man requests to say farewell to family (v.61), showing a repeated test of how much a disciple must leave behind to follow Jesus.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Timothy 2:3
Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
- 2 Timothy 4:2
preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
- John 21:15
So when they had broken their fast, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
- 1 Corinthians 9:16
For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; for woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel.
- Luke 15:32
But it was meet to make merry and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
- 2 Corinthians 5:16
Wherefore we henceforth know no man after the flesh: even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know him so no more.
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