Luke 9:62
What does Luke 9:62 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 9:62 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 9:62 means
Jesus says no one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God. The proverb demands single-minded commitment: once one begins the work of discipleship, one must not allow nostalgia or divided loyalties to drag him backward. Looking back signals regret or half-heartedness, which undermines effectiveness. Jesus insists that the kingdom requires a resolved, forward-looking dedication. The image of the plow evokes agricultural seriousness—fit laborers keep eyes forward to furrow straight lines, and disciples must keep spiritual focus likewise.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But Jesus said, No man, having put his hand to the plough and looking back, is good enough for the kingdom of God.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and Jesus said unto him, `No one having put his hand on a plough, and looking back, is fit for the reign of God.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Jesus said to him: No man putting his hand to the plough and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But Jesus said to him, No one having laid his hand on [the] plough and looking back is fit for the kingdom ofGod.
Context
This final verse concludes the chapter’s series of tests about following Jesus (vv.57–62). Luke uses the plow metaphor to summarize the cost and character of true discipleship: decisive, unwavering commitment. After parables, miracles, the transfiguration, and disputes over greatness, this closing instruction ties the whole chapter together, reinforcing that following Jesus demands radical reorientation of life and priorities.
v.61And another also said, I will follow thee, Lord; but first suffer me to bid farewell to them that are at my house.
v.62This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Timothy 4:10
for Demas forsook me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.
- Psalms 78:8
And might not be as their fathers, A stubborn and rebellious generation, A generation that set not their heart aright, And whose spirit was not stedfast with God.
- Acts 15:37
And Barnabas was minded to take with them John also, who was called Mark.
- 2 Peter 2:20
For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the last state is become worse with them than the first.
- Philippians 3:13
Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before,
- Luke 17:31
In that day, he that shall be on the housetop, and his goods in the house, let him not go down to take them away: and let him that is in the field likewise not return back.
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