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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 8:22 But Jesus told him, "Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/8-22.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/40_Mat_08_22.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 8:22 - The Cost of Discipleship" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But Jesus told him, Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/matthew/8-22.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/matthew/8-22.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/matthew/">Matthew</a> > <a href="/matthew/8.htm">Chapter 8</a> > Verse 22</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad2.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/matthew/8-21.htm" title="Matthew 8:21">◄</a> Matthew 8:22 <a href="/matthew/8-23.htm" title="Matthew 8:23">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/matthew/8.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/matthew/8.htm">New International Version</a> But Jesus told him, &#8220Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/matthew/8.htm">New Living Translation</a> But Jesus told him, “Follow me now. Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead.” <a href="/esv/matthew/8.htm">English Standard Version</a> And Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.” <a href="/bsb/matthew/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> But Jesus told him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” <a href="/blb/matthew/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But Jesus said to him, "Follow Me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead." <a href="/kjv/matthew/8.htm">King James Bible</a> But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead. <a href="/nkjv/matthew/8.htm">New King James Version</a> But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” <a href="/nasb_/matthew/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” <a href="/nasb/matthew/8.htm">NASB 1995</a> But Jesus said to him, &#8220Follow Me, and allow the dead to bury their own dead.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/matthew/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a> But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me; and allow the dead to bury their own dead.” <a href="/lsb/matthew/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and allow the dead to bury their own dead.” <a href="/amp/matthew/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me [believing in Me as Master and Teacher], and allow the [spiritually] dead to bury their own dead.” <a href="/csb/matthew/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” <a href="/hcsb/matthew/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> But Jesus told him, &#8220Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.&#8221 <a href="/asv/matthew/8.htm">American Standard Version</a> But Jesus saith unto him, Follow me; and leave the dead to bury their own dead. <a href="/cev/matthew/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Jesus answered, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead." <a href="/erv/matthew/8.htm">English Revised Version</a> But Jesus saith unto him, Follow me; and leave the dead to bury their own dead. <a href="/gwt/matthew/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> But Jesus told him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead." <a href="/gnt/matthew/8.htm">Good News Translation</a> "Follow me," Jesus answered, "and let the dead bury their own dead." <a href="/isv/matthew/8.htm">International Standard Version</a> But Jesus told him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead." <a href="/msb/matthew/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> But Jesus told him, ?Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.? <a href="/net/matthew/8.htm">NET Bible</a> But Jesus said to him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead." <a href="/nheb/matthew/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> But Jesus said to him, "Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead." <a href="/wbt/matthew/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> But Jesus said to him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead. <a href="/wey/matthew/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "Follow me," said Jesus, "and leave the dead to bury their own dead." <a href="/web/matthew/8.htm">World English Bible</a> But Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and permit the dead to bury their own dead.” <a href="/blb/matthew/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But Jesus said to him, "Follow Me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead." <a href="/ylt/matthew/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and Jesus said to him, 'Follow me, and suffer the dead to bury their own dead.' <a href="/slt/matthew/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> But Jesus said to him, Follow me; and let the dead inter the dead.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But Jesus said to him: Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and allow the dead to bury their dead.” <a href="/nabre/matthew/8.htm">New American Bible</a> But Jesus answered him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.” <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> But Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> But Jesus said to him, Come after me, and let the dead bury their own dead. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/8.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> But Yeshua said to him, “Come after me and let the dead bury their dead.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/8.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> But Jesus said to him: Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.<CM> <a href="/godbey/matthew/8.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And Jesus says to him, <FR>Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/matthew/8.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their own dead.<CM> <a href="/mace/matthew/8.htm">Mace New Testament</a> but Jesus said to him, follow me, and let the dead bury their dead. <a href="/wey/matthew/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "Follow me," said Jesus, "and leave the dead to bury their own dead." <a href="/worrell/matthew/8.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> But Jesus saith to him, <FR>"Follow Me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead."<Fr> <a href="/worsley/matthew/8.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> but Jesus said unto him; <FR>Do thou follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/matthew/8-22.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=1946" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/8.htm">The Cost of Discipleship</a> …21Another of His disciples requested, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 22<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">But</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: Ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2424.htm" title="2424: Iēsous (N-NMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.">Jesus</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legei (V-PIA-3S) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">told</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autō (PPro-DM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">him,</a> <a href="/greek/190.htm" title="190: Akolouthei (V-PMA-2S) -- To accompany, attend, follow. Properly, to be in the same way with, i.e. To accompany.">“Follow</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: moi (PPro-D1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">Me,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/863.htm" title="863: aphes (V-AMA-2S) -- From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications.">let</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tous (Art-AMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/3498.htm" title="3498: nekrous (Adj-AMP) -- (a) adj: dead, lifeless, subject to death, mortal, (b) noun: a dead body, a corpse. From an apparently primary nekus; dead.">dead</a> <a href="/greek/2290.htm" title="2290: thapsai (V-ANA) -- To bury. A primary verb; to celebrate funeral rites, i.e. Inter.">bury</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tous (Art-AMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1438.htm" title="1438: heautōn (RefPro-GM3P) -- Himself, herself, itself. ">their own</a> <a href="/greek/3498.htm" title="3498: nekrous (Adj-AMP) -- (a) adj: dead, lifeless, subject to death, mortal, (b) noun: a dead body, a corpse. From an apparently primary nekus; dead.">dead.” </a> 23When He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/luke/9-60.htm">Luke 9:60</a> But Jesus told him, “Let the dead bury their own dead. You, however, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” <a href="/matthew/10-37.htm">Matthew 10:37-39</a> Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me; / and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. / Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. <a href="/luke/14-26.htm">Luke 14:26-27</a> “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be My disciple. / And whoever does not carry his cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple. <a href="/luke/14-33.htm">Luke 14:33</a> In the same way, any one of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be My disciple. <a href="/mark/8-34.htm">Mark 8:34-37</a> Then Jesus called the crowd to Him along with His disciples, and He told them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. / For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and for the gospel will save it. / What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? ... <a href="/john/12-25.htm">John 12:25-26</a> Whoever loves his life will lose it, but whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. / If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, My servant will be as well. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him. <a href="/luke/18-29.htm">Luke 18:29-30</a> “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God / will fail to receive many times more in this age—and in the age to come, eternal life.” <a href="/matthew/19-29.htm">Matthew 19:29</a> And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for the sake of My name will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. <a href="/luke/9-23.htm">Luke 9:23-24</a> Then Jesus said to all of them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. / For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. <a href="/1_kings/19-20.htm">1 Kings 19:20-21</a> So Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, and then I will follow you.” “Go on back,” Elijah replied, “for what have I done to you?” / So Elisha turned back from him, took his pair of oxen, and slaughtered them. Using the oxen’s equipment for fuel, he cooked the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow and serve Elijah. <a href="/genesis/12-1.htm">Genesis 12:1</a> Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you. <a href="/genesis/19-26.htm">Genesis 19:26</a> But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. <a href="/deuteronomy/33-9.htm">Deuteronomy 33:9</a> He said of his father and mother, ‘I do not consider them.’ He disregarded his brothers and did not know his own sons, for he kept Your word and maintained Your covenant. <a href="/2_corinthians/5-15.htm">2 Corinthians 5:15</a> And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again. <a href="/philippians/3-7.htm">Philippians 3:7-8</a> But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ. / More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>But Jesus said to him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.follow.<a href="/matthew/4-18.htm">Matthew 4:18-22</a> And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers… <a href="/matthew/9-9.htm">Matthew 9:9</a> And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.<a href="/john/1-43.htm">John 1:43</a> The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.and.<a href="/luke/15-32.htm">Luke 15:32</a> It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.<a href="/ephesians/2-1.htm">Ephesians 2:1,5</a> And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; … <a href="/ephesians/5-14.htm">Ephesians 5:14</a> Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/8-21.htm">Allow</a> <a href="/matthew/8-21.htm">Bury</a> <a href="/matthew/8-15.htm">Care</a> <a href="/matthew/2-20.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/matthew/8-19.htm">Follow</a> <a href="/matthew/8-20.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/matthew/5-24.htm">Leave</a> <a href="/matthew/8-21.htm">Suffer</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/19-14.htm">Allow</a> <a href="/matthew/27-7.htm">Bury</a> <a href="/matthew/11-28.htm">Care</a> <a href="/matthew/8-28.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/matthew/8-23.htm">Follow</a> <a href="/matthew/8-24.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/matthew/8-34.htm">Leave</a> <a href="/matthew/8-31.htm">Suffer</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 8</div>1. <a href="/matthew/8-1.htm">Jesus cleanses the leper;</a> 5. <a href="/matthew/8-5.htm">heals the centurion's servant,</a> 14. <a href="/matthew/8-14.htm">Peter's mother in law,</a> 16. <a href="/matthew/8-16.htm">and many others;</a> 18. <a href="/matthew/8-18.htm">shows the cost of following him;</a> 23. <a href="/matthew/8-23.htm">stills the storm on the sea;</a> 28. <a href="/matthew/8-28.htm">drives the demons out of two men possessed;</a> 31. <a href="/matthew/8-31.htm">and tells them to go into the pigs.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/8.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/8.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>But Jesus told him, In this passage, Jesus is directly addressing a disciple who has expressed a desire to follow Him but first wants to bury his father. This interaction highlights the authority of Jesus as a teacher and leader, emphasizing the immediacy and priority of His call. The phrase underscores the personal nature of Jesus' invitation, indicating that following Him requires a direct and personal response.“Follow Me, The call to "Follow Me" is a central theme in the Gospels, representing a call to discipleship. It implies leaving behind one's former life and priorities to embrace a new life centered on Christ. This command is not just about physical following but involves a commitment to Jesus' teachings and mission. It echoes the call of other disciples, such as Peter and Andrew, who left their nets to follow Jesus (<a href="/matthew/4-19.htm">Matthew 4:19-20</a>).and let the dead The term "dead" here is often interpreted metaphorically. It suggests those who are spiritually dead, meaning those who are not responsive to the call of Christ or the life He offers. This phrase challenges the listener to consider the spiritual state of those who are not following Jesus and the urgency of responding to His call.bury their own dead.” This statement is a radical call to prioritize the kingdom of God over traditional social and familial obligations. In Jewish culture, burying one's parents was a sacred duty, reflecting the commandment to honor one's father and mother (<a href="/exodus/20-12.htm">Exodus 20:12</a>). However, Jesus is emphasizing that the call to follow Him transcends even these important cultural and religious duties. This phrase also suggests that those who are spiritually dead can handle the concerns of the world, while those who are spiritually alive must focus on the mission of Christ. This teaching aligns with Jesus' message in <a href="/luke/14-26.htm">Luke 14:26</a>, where He speaks about the cost of discipleship and the need to place Him above all else.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a> The central figure in this passage, Jesus is the one giving the command. He is the Son of God, the Messiah, and the teacher of His disciples. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_disciple.htm">The Disciple</a> An unnamed follower of Jesus who expresses a desire to first bury his father before fully committing to following Jesus. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_dead.htm">The Dead</a> This term is used metaphorically by Jesus to refer to those who are spiritually dead, as opposed to those who are physically deceased.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_cost_of_discipleship.htm">The Cost of Discipleship</a> Jesus' command highlights the cost of following Him. Discipleship requires prioritizing Jesus above all else, even above important cultural and familial duties. <a href="/topical/s/spiritual_priorities.htm">Spiritual Priorities</a> The call to "let the dead bury their own dead" challenges believers to evaluate their priorities. Spiritual life and following Christ should take precedence over worldly concerns. <a href="/topical/u/understanding_spiritual_death.htm">Understanding Spiritual Death</a> Jesus uses the term "dead" to describe those who are spiritually unresponsive. This serves as a reminder of the importance of spiritual awakening and the urgency of the Gospel. <a href="/topical/i/immediate_obedience.htm">Immediate Obedience</a> Jesus' command suggests the importance of immediate obedience. Delaying our response to His call can lead to missed opportunities for spiritual growth and service. <a href="/topical/e/eternal_perspective.htm">Eternal Perspective</a> This passage encourages believers to maintain an eternal perspective, focusing on the kingdom of God rather than temporary earthly matters.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_8.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 8</a> <a href="/q/what_is_believer's_baptism.htm">What is the concept of Believer's Baptism?</a> <a href="/q/why_did_jesus_suffer_greatly.htm">Why did Jesus endure extensive suffering?</a> <a href="/q/should_the_dead_bury_their_own_dead.htm">Should the dead bury their own dead?</a> <a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_luke_9_60_with_honoring_parents.htm">Luke 9:60: How can Jesus' instruction to 'let the dead bury their own dead' be reconciled with the biblically mandated responsibility to honor parents?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(22) Let the dead bury their dead.--The point of the half-epigrammatic, half-proverbial saying, lies in the contrast between the two meanings of the word "dead." "Let those who have no spiritual life linger in the circle of outward routine duties, and sacrifice the highest spiritual possibilities of their nature to their fulfilment. Those who are really living will do the work to which their Master calls them, and leave the lower conventional duties to be done or left undone as the events of their life shall order." Something there was, we may be sure, in the inward state of the disciple which called for the sternness of the rebuke. He had been called to a living work: he was resting in a dead one.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 22. - But Jesus said unto him, Follow me, and let; Revised Version, leave. Yet the thought of leaving seems here merged in that of permitting (cf. <a href="/matthew/23-14.htm">Matthew 23:14</a>; <a href="/mark/5-37.htm">Mark 5:37</a>; <a href="/mark/10-14.htm">Mark 10:14</a>). The dead (Revised Version, to) bury their (Revised Version, own) dead (τοὺς ἑαυτῶν νεκρούς). The paradox was self-interpreting. Let the spiritually dead have to do with death; dead men belong in a special sense to them. Observe that there was no danger of his father remaining unburied. Christ means that there are times when his service admits of no postponement, however sacred the conflicting duty. His followers must on such occasions be very Nazarites (<a href="/numbers/6-7.htm">Numbers 6:7</a>) or high priests (<a href="/leviticus/21-11.htm">Leviticus 21:11</a>). St. Luke adds, "But go thou, and publish abroad the kingdom of God," and adds a third similar case. <a href="/commentaries/matthew/8-22.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>But δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. Jesus Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2424.htm">Strong's 2424: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites. told λέγει (legei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. him, αὐτῷ (autō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. “Follow Ἀκολούθει (Akolouthei) Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_190.htm">Strong's 190: </a> To accompany, attend, follow. Properly, to be in the same way with, i.e. To accompany. Me, μοι (moi) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. let ἄφες (aphes) Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_863.htm">Strong's 863: </a> From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications. the τοὺς (tous) Article - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. dead νεκροὺς (nekrous) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3498.htm">Strong's 3498: </a> (a) adj: dead, lifeless, subject to death, mortal, (b) noun: a dead body, a corpse. From an apparently primary nekus; dead. bury θάψαι (thapsai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_2290.htm">Strong's 2290: </a> To bury. A primary verb; to celebrate funeral rites, i.e. Inter. their own ἑαυτῶν (heautōn) Reflexive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1438.htm">Strong's 1438: </a> Himself, herself, itself. dead.” νεκρούς (nekrous) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3498.htm">Strong's 3498: </a> (a) adj: dead, lifeless, subject to death, mortal, (b) noun: a dead body, a corpse. From an apparently primary nekus; dead. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/8-22.htm">Matthew 8:22 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/8-22.htm">Matthew 8:22 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/8-22.htm">Matthew 8:22 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/8-22.htm">Matthew 8:22 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/8-22.htm">Matthew 8:22 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/8-22.htm">Matthew 8:22 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/8-22.htm">Matthew 8:22 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/8-22.htm">Matthew 8:22 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/8-22.htm">Matthew 8:22 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/8-22.htm">Matthew 8:22 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/8-22.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 8:22 But Jesus said to him Follow me (Matt. 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