Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

LUKE 9:60KJV
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Luke 9:60 (KJV)

What does Luke 9:60 mean?

Luke 9:60 records Jesus telling a man, “Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.” Jesus is urging the man to make proclaiming God’s kingdom his top priority, even above important family duties like burying a loved one.

In this scene, Jesus (G2424) is speaking to someone who wants to follow him but first asks to bury his father. Jesus’ reply uses strong language to highlight the urgency and importance of spreading the message about God’s reign. The phrase “let the dead bury their dead” contrasts spiritual life and spiritual death, suggesting that those not committed to Jesus’ message can handle ordinary concerns, while his followers are called to a higher purpose.

The Greek behind Luke 9:60

  • “dead” (νεκρούς, nekrous, G3498): This word appears twice, referring first to the spiritually “dead” (those not following Jesus) and then to the physically dead. The repetition drives home the contrast between spiritual priorities and everyday responsibilities.
  • “preach” (διαγγέλλω, diangellō, G1229): This word means to proclaim or announce publicly. Jesus is not just asking the man to follow quietly but to actively spread the message about God’s kingdom.
  • “kingdom” (βασιλεία, basileia, G932): This refers to God’s rule or reign. The focus is on announcing that God’s authority is breaking into the world through Jesus.

Why Luke 9:60 matters

  • Luke 9:60 clears up the idea that Jesus is being cold or dismissive about family; instead, he is using strong imagery to show how urgent and important his mission is.
  • This verse highlights the cost and commitment involved in following Jesus, especially in the context of spreading his message.
  • Luke 9:60 connects to the wider passage, where Jesus repeatedly challenges would-be followers to consider what it truly means to put God’s kingdom first.

Where else these words appear

“preach” Greek G1229 · used in 3 verses

  • Acts 21:26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.
  • Romans 9:17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.

“bury” Greek G2290 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 8:21 And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
  • Luke 9:59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
  • Acts 5:6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.

“go” Greek G565 · used in 118 verses

  • Matthew 2:22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:
  • Mark 5:17 And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.
  • Luke 24:12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.

“dead” Greek G3498 · used in 123 verses

  • Matthew 8:22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
  • Acts 4:2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: