CINXE.COM

<!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 8:21 Another of His disciples requested, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/8-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/40_Mat_08_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 8:21 - The Cost of Discipleship" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Another of His disciples requested, Lord, first let me go and bury my father." /><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/8-21.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/8-21.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 21</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="/ad1.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/8-20.htm" title="Matthew 8:20">◄</a> Matthew 8:21 <a href="/matthew/8-22.htm" title="Matthew 8:22">►</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> Another disciple said to him, &#8220Lord, first let me go and bury my father.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/matthew/8.htm">New Living Translation</a> Another of his disciples said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.” <a href="/esv/matthew/8.htm">English Standard Version</a> Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” <a href="/bsb/matthew/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Another of His disciples requested, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” <a href="/blb/matthew/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And another of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, allow me first to go and to bury my father." <a href="/kjv/matthew/8.htm">King James Bible</a> And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. <a href="/nkjv/matthew/8.htm">New King James Version</a> Then another of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” <a href="/nasb_/matthew/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And another of the disciples said to Him, “Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father.” <a href="/nasb/matthew/8.htm">NASB 1995</a> Another of the disciples said to Him, &#8220Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/matthew/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And another of the disciples said to Him, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.” <a href="/lsb/matthew/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And another of the disciples said to Him, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.” <a href="/amp/matthew/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Another of the disciples said to Him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father (collect my inheritance).” <a href="/csb/matthew/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “Lord,” another of his disciples said, “first let me go bury my father.” <a href="/hcsb/matthew/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Lord,&#8221 another of His disciples said, &#8220first let me go bury my father.&#8221 <a href="/asv/matthew/8.htm">American Standard Version</a> And another of the disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. <a href="/cev/matthew/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Another disciple said to Jesus, "Lord, let me wait till I bury my father." <a href="/erv/matthew/8.htm">English Revised Version</a> And another of the disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. <a href="/gwt/matthew/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Another disciple said to him, "Sir, first let me go to bury my father." <a href="/gnt/matthew/8.htm">Good News Translation</a> Another man, who was a disciple, said, "Sir, first let me go back and bury my father." <a href="/isv/matthew/8.htm">International Standard Version</a> Then another of his disciples told him, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." <a href="/msb/matthew/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Another of His disciples requested, ?Lord, first let me go and bury my father.? <a href="/net/matthew/8.htm">NET Bible</a> Another of the disciples said to him, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father." <a href="/nheb/matthew/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> And another of the disciples said to him, "Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father." <a href="/wbt/matthew/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And another of his disciples said to him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. <a href="/wey/matthew/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Another of the disciples said to Him, "Sir, allow me first to go and bury my father." <a href="/web/matthew/8.htm">World English Bible</a> Another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And another of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, permit me first to depart and to bury my father”; <a href="/blb/matthew/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And another of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, allow me first to go and to bury my father." <a href="/ylt/matthew/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And another of his disciples said to him, 'Sir, permit me first to depart and to bury my father;' <a href="/slt/matthew/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And another of his disciples said to him, Lord, permit me first to go and inter my father.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And another of his disciples said to him: Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Then another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.” <a href="/nabre/matthew/8.htm">New American Bible</a> Another of [his] disciples said to him, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Another of his disciples said to him, My Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/8.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> But another of his disciples said to him, “My Lord, allow me to first go bury my Father.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/8.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And another of his disciples said to him: Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father. <a href="/godbey/matthew/8.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And another of His disciples said to Him, Lord, permit me first to go away and bury my father. <a href="/haweis/matthew/8.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And another of his disciples said unto him, Permit me first to go and bury my father. <a href="/mace/matthew/8.htm">Mace New Testament</a> another of his disciples said to him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. <a href="/wey/matthew/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Another of the disciples said to Him, "Sir, allow me first to go and bury my father." <a href="/worrell/matthew/8.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And another of the disciples said to Him, "Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father." <a href="/worsley/matthew/8.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> But another of his disciples, whom he ordered to follow Him, said unto Him, Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father: <a href="/parallel/matthew/8-21.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=1939" 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> …20Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.” 21<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/2087.htm" title="2087: Heteros (Adj-NMS) -- (a) of two: another, a second, (b) other, different, (c) one's neighbor. Of uncertain affinity; other or different.">Another</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">of His</a> <a href="/greek/3101.htm" title="3101: mathētōn (N-GMP) -- A learner, disciple, pupil. From manthano; a learner, i.e. Pupil.">disciples</a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: eipen (V-AIA-3S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">requested,</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."></a> <a href="/greek/2962.htm" title="2962: Kyrie (N-VMS) -- Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.">“Lord,</a> <a href="/greek/4412.htm" title="4412: prōton (Adv-S) -- First, in the first place, before, formerly. Neuter of protos as adverb; firstly.">first</a> <a href="/greek/2010.htm" title="2010: epitrepson (V-AMA-2S) -- To turn to, commit, entrust; I allow, yield, permit. From epi and the base of trope; to turn over, i.e. Allow.">let</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/565.htm" title="565: apelthein (V-ANA) -- From apo and erchomai; to go off, aside or behind, literally or figuratively.">go</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</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: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: mou (PPro-G1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">my</a> <a href="/greek/3962.htm" title="3962: patera (N-AMS) -- Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a father.">father.”</a> 22But Jesus told him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”…<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/9-59.htm">Luke 9:59-60</a> Then He said to another man, “Follow Me.” The man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” / 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</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; <a href="/luke/14-26.htm">Luke 14:26</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. <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/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="/mark/10-29.htm">Mark 10:29-30</a> “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for My sake and for the gospel / will fail to receive a hundredfold in the present age—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and fields, along with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. <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="/matthew/16-24.htm">Matthew 16:24-25</a> Then Jesus told His disciples, “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 will find it. <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="/john/21-22.htm">John 21:22</a> Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain until I return, what is that to you? You follow Me!” <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="/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="/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/22-1.htm">Genesis 22:1-3</a> Some time later God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he answered. / “Take your son,” God said, “your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. Offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.” / So Abraham got up early the next morning, saddled his donkey, and took along two of his servants and his son Isaac. He split the wood for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had designated. <a href="/exodus/32-27.htm">Exodus 32:27-29</a> He told them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Each of you men is to fasten his sword to his side, go back and forth through the camp from gate to gate, and slay his brother, his friend, and his neighbor.’” / The Levites did as Moses commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people fell dead. / Afterward, Moses said, “Today you have been ordained for service to the LORD, since each man went against his son and his brother; so the LORD has bestowed a blessing on you this day.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And another of his disciples said to him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.another.<a href="/luke/9-59.htm">Luke 9:59-62</a> And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father… suffer.<a href="/matthew/19-29.htm">Matthew 19:29</a> And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.<a href="/leviticus/21-11.htm">Leviticus 21:11,12</a> Neither shall he go in to any dead body, nor defile himself for his father, or for his mother; … <a href="/numbers/6-6.htm">Numbers 6:6,7</a> All the days that he separateth himself unto the LORD he shall come at no dead body… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/7-4.htm">Allow</a> <a href="/hosea/9-6.htm">Bury</a> <a href="/matthew/8-18.htm">Depart</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-11.htm">Disciple</a> <a href="/matthew/5-1.htm">Disciples</a> <a href="/matthew/7-5.htm">First</a> <a href="/psalms/110-3.htm">Honours</a> <a href="/matthew/5-26.htm">Last</a> <a href="/matthew/3-15.htm">Permit</a> <a href="/matthew/8-8.htm">Sir</a> <a href="/matthew/7-4.htm">Suffer</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/8-22.htm">Allow</a> <a href="/matthew/8-22.htm">Bury</a> <a href="/matthew/8-34.htm">Depart</a> <a href="/matthew/10-24.htm">Disciple</a> <a href="/matthew/8-23.htm">Disciples</a> <a href="/matthew/10-2.htm">First</a> <a href="/luke/9-59.htm">Honours</a> <a href="/matthew/12-26.htm">Last</a> <a href="/matthew/8-31.htm">Permit</a> <a href="/matthew/8-25.htm">Sir</a> <a href="/matthew/8-22.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>Another of His disciples requested This phrase indicates that the speaker is one of Jesus' followers, suggesting a level of commitment and interest in Jesus' teachings. The term "disciple" in the New Testament context refers to a learner or student who follows a teacher. This disciple's request shows a personal struggle between following Jesus and fulfilling familial obligations. The use of "another" implies that there were multiple disciples present, highlighting the communal aspect of Jesus' ministry.“Lord, first let me go Addressing Jesus as "Lord" signifies respect and recognition of His authority. The disciple's use of "first" suggests a prioritization of duties, indicating a conflict between spiritual and familial responsibilities. This reflects a common cultural expectation in Jewish society to honor one's parents, as outlined in the Ten Commandments (<a href="/exodus/20-12.htm">Exodus 20:12</a>). The request to "let me go" implies a desire for permission or blessing from Jesus, showing the disciple's internal conflict and need for guidance.and bury my father.” In Jewish culture, burial was a significant duty, often taking precedence over other obligations. The phrase "bury my father" could imply that the father had recently died, or it might refer to a cultural idiom meaning to wait until the father dies, which could be an indefinite period. This reflects the importance of family loyalty and the commandment to honor one's parents. The request highlights the tension between cultural expectations and the radical call to discipleship that Jesus presents. This moment invites reflection on the cost of following Jesus, as seen in other scriptures like <a href="/luke/14-26.htm">Luke 14:26</a>, where Jesus speaks about the necessity of prioritizing Him above familial ties.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The central figure in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is the one being addressed by the disciple. He is the teacher and leader, calling His followers to a life of commitment and discipleship. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_disciple.htm">The Disciple</a> An unnamed follower of Jesus who expresses a desire to fulfill familial obligations before fully committing to following Christ. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_event.htm">The Event</a> This interaction occurs during Jesus' ministry as He travels and teaches, emphasizing the cost and urgency of discipleship.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_cost_of_discipleship.htm">The Cost of Discipleship</a> Following Jesus requires prioritizing Him above all else, even above important family obligations. This teaches us about the radical commitment expected of believers. <a href="/topical/u/urgency_of_the_kingdom.htm">Urgency of the Kingdom</a> The call to follow Jesus is immediate and urgent. Believers are encouraged to respond promptly to His call, recognizing the importance of the kingdom work. <a href="/topical/b/balancing_commitments.htm">Balancing Commitments</a> While honoring family is important, it should not supersede our commitment to Christ. This challenges us to evaluate our priorities and ensure that Jesus remains at the center. <a href="/topical/f/faith_and_trust.htm">Faith and Trust</a> Trusting Jesus means believing that He will take care of our concerns, including family matters, as we follow Him wholeheartedly.<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/day_26_insights_on_spiritual_growth.htm">What events define the Triumphal Entry in Volume 23?</a> <a href="/q/what_did_jesus_pray_for.htm">What did Jesus pray for during His ministry?</a> <a href="/q/why_hasn't_jesus_returned_yet.htm">Why didn't Jesus return as He promised His disciples?</a> <a href="/q/is_jesus_the_sole_path_to_heaven.htm">Is Jesus the sole path to Heaven?</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>(21) Suffer me first to go and bury my father.--A curious tradition, preserved by Clement of Alexandria, says that the disciple who came with this request was Philip. Nothing in the Gospel history, however, suggests this. Philip had been called before, and had obeyed the call (<a href="/john/1-43.htm" title="The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and finds Philip, and said to him, Follow me.">John 1:43</a>). All that we can say is that it may have been so, and that he may at this stage of his spiritual growth have shrunk from the fresh activity of actual service in the work of evangelising. The form of the petition may mean either (1) that his father was then actually dead, and that the disciple asked leave to remain and pay the last honours to his remains, or (2) that he asked to remain with his father till his death. The latter seems by far the most probable. In the East burial followed so immediately on death that the former would hardly have involved more than the delay of a few hours. In the latter case the request was, in fact, a plea for indefinite postponement. This at least fits in best with the apparent severity of our Lord's answer.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 21. - And another of his (Revised Version, the) disciples said unto him. Disciples in the wider sense (<a href="/matthew/5-1.htm">Matthew 5:1</a>, note),whether the twelve had or had not been chosen. In the latter case, the man may have been Thomas (Trench, loc. cit.), but hardly Philip (Clem. Alex.) after <a href="/john/1-43.htm">John 1:43</a>. Yet it is precarious to see in him the despondency of Thomas (<a href="/john/11-6.htm">John 11:6</a>; <a href="/john/20-24.htm">John 20:24, 25</a>) merely because his father is dead, and he has scruples about immediately following Christ. Lord, suffer me first. The man's words imply a consciousness of a call. His heart told him that he ought to go, but he asks for a delay, and, in fact, a real difficulty seems to hinder him from going. St. Luke places the Lord's "Follow me" before the man's request; but here, as in textual criticism, proclivi scriptioni praestat ardua. To go and bury my father. Then lying dead. Of all filial duties perhaps the most bind-ins (cf. Tobit 4:3 Tobit 14:10, 11). Observe (1) that the burial would take place much sooner than is usual with us, and would seldom be more than twenty-four hours after death; (2) that, however, according to Jewish law, the ceremonial observances connected with the burial and consequent purifications would have taken many days (Edersheim, 'Life,' 2:133). <a href="/commentaries/matthew/8-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Another Ἕτερος (Heteros) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2087.htm">Strong's 2087: </a> (a) of two: another, a second, (b) other, different, (c) one's neighbor. Of uncertain affinity; other or different. of His αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 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. disciples μαθητῶν (mathētōn) Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3101.htm">Strong's 3101: </a> A learner, disciple, pupil. From manthano; a learner, i.e. Pupil. requested, εἶπεν (eipen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say. “Lord, Κύριε (Kyrie) Noun - Vocative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2962.htm">Strong's 2962: </a> Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master. first πρῶτον (prōton) Adverb - Superlative <a href="/greek/strongs_4412.htm">Strong's 4412: </a> First, in the first place, before, formerly. Neuter of protos as adverb; firstly. let ἐπίτρεψόν (epitrepson) Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2010.htm">Strong's 2010: </a> To turn to, commit, entrust; I allow, yield, permit. From epi and the base of trope; to turn over, i.e. Allow. 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. go ἀπελθεῖν (apelthein) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_565.htm">Strong's 565: </a> From apo and erchomai; to go off, aside or behind, literally or figuratively. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. 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. my μου (mou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 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. father.” πατέρα (patera) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3962.htm">Strong's 3962: </a> Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/8-21.htm">Matthew 8:21 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/8-21.htm">Matthew 8:21 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/8-21.htm">Matthew 8:21 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/8-21.htm">Matthew 8:21 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/8-21.htm">Matthew 8:21 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/8-21.htm">Matthew 8:21 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/8-21.htm">Matthew 8:21 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/8-21.htm">Matthew 8:21 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/8-21.htm">Matthew 8:21 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/8-21.htm">Matthew 8:21 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/8-21.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 8:21 Another of his disciples said to him (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/8-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 8:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 8:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/8-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 8:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 8:22" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>