Luke 9:61
What does Luke 9:61 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 9:61 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 9:61 means
Another said, “I will follow thee, Lord; but first suffer me to bid farewell to them that are at my house.” This request appeals to social manners and the desire to close relational ties before leaving. It seems reasonable, yet in this context it delays obedience. The man’s wish to say goodbye suggests a reluctance to cut ties completely or an underestimation of the cost of discipleship. Jesus’ coming reply will make clear that partial commitment is insufficient; following him requires decisive, undivided loyalty rather than deferred allegiance.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And another also said, I will follow thee, Lord; but first suffer me to bid farewell to them that are at my house.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And another also said, I will follow thee, Lord; but first suffer me to bid farewell to them that are at my house.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And another man said, I will come with you, Lord, but first let me say a last good-day to those who are at my house.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And another also said, `I will follow thee, sir, but first permit me to take leave of those in my house;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And another said: I will follow thee, Lord; but let me first take my leave of them that are at my house.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And another also said, I will follow thee, Lord, but first allow me to bid adieu to those at my house.
Context
This verse repeats the motif of immediate demands versus delayed obedience (vv.57–60). Luke uses the repeated scenarios to press the point that following Jesus cannot be compartmentalized. The man’s request for farewells leads directly to Jesus’ agricultural proverb about plowing and looking back (v.62), which settles the tension by teaching that divided hearts are unfit for the kingdom.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 14:18
And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a field, and I must needs go out and see it; I pray thee have me excused.
- Deuteronomy 33:9
Who said of his father, and of his mother, I have not seen him; Neither did he acknowledge his brethren, Nor knew he his own children: For they have observed thy word, And keep thy covenant.
- Ecclesiastes 9:10
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, whither thou goest.
- 1 Kings 19:20
And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again; for what have I done to thee?
- Luke 14:26
If any man cometh unto me, and hateth not his own father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
- Matthew 10:37
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
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