Luke 9:59 (KJV)

What does Luke 9:59 mean?

Luke 9:59 shows Jesus calling another person to follow him, but the person asks to first go and bury his father before responding to Jesus’ invitation. The verse highlights a moment where someone is asked to make a choice between following Jesus immediately or attending to important family duties.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking directly to a man in the crowd, inviting him with the words “Follow me.” The man’s reply, asking for permission to bury his father first, reflects a common and serious family responsibility in that culture. The verse sets up a tension between urgent personal obligations and the call to discipleship, which is a theme running through this part of Luke’s Gospel.

The Greek behind Luke 9:59

• “Follow” (ἀκολούθει, akolouthei): This word means to go along with or accompany someone, often used for discipleship. Here, it carries the sense of a personal call to join Jesus’ journey, not just physically but as a committed follower.
• “Suffer” (ἐπίτρεψον, epitrepson): This word means to allow or permit. The man is not refusing Jesus outright but is asking for permission to fulfill a duty first, showing respect but also hesitation.
• “First” (πρῶτον, prōton): This word signals the man’s priorities—he wants to put his family obligation before responding to Jesus. The order of priorities is at the heart of the exchange.

Why Luke 9:59 matters

• Luke 9:59 helps clarify that Jesus’ call to follow him can come into conflict with even the most serious and honorable family responsibilities, challenging readers to consider what comes first in their lives.
• The verse fits into a larger section where Jesus is teaching about the cost and urgency of discipleship, making clear that following him may require difficult choices.
• This moment also highlights that Jesus’ invitations are personal and direct, not just general teachings, and that each person must decide how to respond.