18Now Jesus, seeing a crowd around him, gave orders to depart to the other side. [8:19] And a Torah-expert came and said to him: Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go. [8:20] And Jesus said to him: Foxes have dens and the birds of the sky have nesting places, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head. [8:21] And another of his disciples said to him: Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father. [8:22] But Jesus said to him: Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.
MAT 8:18-22
The Cost of Discipleship
In the world it was spoken into
In 1st-century Jewish society, a (scribe) held significant social and religious authority, often serving as interpreters of Torah and legal experts. Their offer to follow Jesus would have been seen as a notable gesture, given their status. Jesus’ response, highlighting His lack of a permanent dwelling, contrasts sharply with the stability and honor associated with scribal life. The mention of foxes and birds underscores the itinerant, precarious nature of His ministry, which would have been countercultural in a society valuing rootedness and familial security. The second disciple’s request to bury his father reflects a deeply ingrained cultural obligation—honoring parents was a cornerstone of Jewish piety. Jesus’ stark reply, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead,’ subverts these norms, prioritizing allegiance to Him over familial duties. The term (dead) carries a dual meaning, pointing both to physical death and spiritual lifelessness, challenging listeners to discern true discipleship. This exchange would have unsettled 1st-century listeners, forcing them to weigh the cost of following Jesus against deeply held cultural and religious values.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
MAT 8:18
- KJV
- Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side.
- BSB
- When Jesus saw a large crowd around Him, He gave orders to cross to the other side of the sea.
- Koinōnos
- Now Jesus, seeing a crowd around him, gave orders to depart to the other side.
MAT 8:19
- KJV
- And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
- BSB
- And one of the scribes came to Him and said, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.”
- Koinōnos
- And a Torah-expert came and said to him: Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.
MAT 8:20
- KJV
- And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
- BSB
- Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.”
- Koinōnos
- And Jesus said to him: Foxes have dens and the birds of the sky have nesting places, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.
MAT 8:21
- KJV
- And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
- BSB
- Another of His disciples requested, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
- Koinōnos
- And another of his disciples said to him: Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.
MAT 8:22
- KJV
- But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
- BSB
- But Jesus told him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
- Koinōnos
- But Jesus said to him: Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
MAT 8:19
- scribe:The word translated 'scribe' referred to a highly educated professional who was skilled in writing, copying, and interpreting the law, often holding a position of authority and respect in Jewish society.
MAT 8:20
- air:The term used here for 'air' or 'sky' often carried the sense of the visible heavens, the expanse above the earth, and could also refer to the dwelling place of God.
- nests,:The word translated 'nests' specifically denotes a dwelling place or lodging, often for animals, implying a settled home or shelter.
MAT 8:22
- dead:The word translated 'dead' refers to those who are physically deceased, but in some contexts, it could also metaphorically describe those who are spiritually unresponsive or separated from God.