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Text -- Matthew 8:21 (NET)

Strongs On/Off
Context
8:21 Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”
Parallel   Cross Reference (TSK)   ITL  

Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Dictionary Themes and Topics: Self-denial | SCRIBES | Procrastination | PHILIP (2) | Matthew, Gospel according to | Jesus, The Christ | JESUS CHRIST, 4C1 | Excuses | Decision | Character | Anxiety | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Robertson , Wesley , Clarke , Calvin , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes , Geneva Bible

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , Maclaren , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Barclay , Constable , College , McGarvey , Lapide

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Robertson: Mat 8:21 - -- And bury my father ( kai thapsai ton patera mou ). The first man was an enthusiast. This one is overcautious. It is by no means certain that the fath...

And bury my father ( kai thapsai ton patera mou ).

The first man was an enthusiast. This one is overcautious. It is by no means certain that the father was dead. Tobit urged his son Tobias to be sure to bury him: "Son, when I am dead, bury me"(Tobit 4:3). The probability is that this disciple means that, after his father is dead and buried, he will then be free to follow Jesus. "At the present day, an Oriental, with his father sitting by his side, has been known to say respecting his future projects: ‘ But I must first bury my father!’ "(Plummer). Jesus wanted first things first. But even if his father was not actually dead, service to Christ comes first.

Wesley: Mat 8:21 - -- I will follow thee without any such view; but I must mind my business first. It is not certain that his father was already dead. Perhaps his son desir...

I will follow thee without any such view; but I must mind my business first. It is not certain that his father was already dead. Perhaps his son desired to stay with him, being very old, till his death.

Clarke: Mat 8:21 - -- Another of his disciples - This does not mean any of the twelve, but one of those who were constant hearers of our Lord’ s preaching; the name ...

Another of his disciples - This does not mean any of the twelve, but one of those who were constant hearers of our Lord’ s preaching; the name of disciple being common to all those who professed to believe in him, Joh 6:66. Bury my father: probably his father was old, and apparently near death; but it was a maxim among the Jews, that, if a man had any duty to perform to the dead, he was, for that time, free from the observance of any other precept or duty. The children of Adam are always in extremes; some will rush into the ministry of the Gospel without a call, others will delay long after they are called; the middle way is the only safe one: not to move a finger in the work till the call be given, and not to delay a moment after.

Calvin: Mat 8:21 - -- 21.Lord, permit me to go first and bury my father We have said, that the scribe was rejected by Christ as a follower, because he made his offer witho...

21.Lord, permit me to go first and bury my father We have said, that the scribe was rejected by Christ as a follower, because he made his offer without consideration, and imagined that he would enjoy an easy life. The person whom Christ retains had an opposite fault. He was prevented from immediately obeying the call of Christ by the weakness of thinking it a hardship to leave his father. It is probable that his father was in extreme old age: for the mode of expression, Permit me to bury, implies that he had but a short time to live. Luke says that Christ ordered him to follow; while Matthew says that he was one of his disciples But he does not refuse the calling: he only asks leave for a time to discharge a duty which he owes to his father. 506 The excuse bears that he looked upon himself as at liberty till his father’s death. From Christ’s reply we learn, that children should discharge their duty to their parents in such a manner that, whenever God calls them to another employment, they should lay this aside, and assign the first place to the command of God. Whatever duties we owe to men must give way, when God enjoins upon us what is immediately due to himself. All ought to consider what God requires from them as individuals, and what is demanded by their particular calling, that earthly parents may not prevent the claims of the highest and only Father of all from remaining entire.

TSK: Mat 8:21 - -- another : Luk 9:59-62 suffer : Mat 19:29; Lev 21:11, Lev 21:12; Num 6:6, Num 6:7; Deu 33:9, Deu 33:10; 1Ki 19:20,1Ki 19:21; Hag 1:2; 2Co 5:16

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Mat 8:21 - -- And another of his disciples ... - The word "disciple"properly signifies "learner,"and was given to the followers of Jesus because they receive...

And another of his disciples ... - The word "disciple"properly signifies "learner,"and was given to the followers of Jesus because they received him as their teacher. See the notes at Mat 5:1. It does not of necessity mean that a "disciple"was a pious man, but only one of the multitude, who, for various causes, might attend on his instructions. See Joh 6:66; Joh 9:28.

Suffer me first to go and bury my father - This seemed to be a reasonable request, as respect for parents, living or dead, is one of the first duties of religion. But the Saviour saw that in his circumstances there might be danger, if he was thus permitted to go, that he would not return to him: and he commanded him, therefore, to perform the more important duty - the duty of attending to the salvation of his soul even at the risk of the apparent neglect of another duty. The first duty of man is religion, and everything else should be made subordinate to that.

Poole: Mat 8:21-22 - -- Ver. 21,22. Luke repeating the same history, Luk 9:59,60 , saith that Christ said to this man, Follow me. He replies, Lord, suffer me first to go ...

Ver. 21,22. Luke repeating the same history, Luk 9:59,60 , saith that Christ said to this man, Follow me. He replies, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father; to live at home with my father, who is an old man, till I have performed my last filial office to him in burying him. Others think that he was already dead, and that this disciple would not have begged leave for so uncertain a time. Christ saith unto him,

Follow me not that our Lord disapproved the decent manner of burying the dead, but by this let him know, that no office of love and duty to men must be preferred before our duty to God, to whom we owe our first obedience. It appeareth by Luk 9:60 , that this disciple was called to preach the gospel, a work not to be omitted or neglected for any offices to men. Of old, the high priests and the Nazarites were not to touch dead bodies, Num 6:6 , because of their separation to the more immediate service of God. Preachers of the gospel ought to keep themselves as free as they can from what may distract them. Saith our Saviour,

Let the dead bury their dead: there are enough to bury the dead; persons that are spiritually dead, not alive to God, let them take care of those meaner offices; I have higher employment for thee than that is. Lawful and decent offices become sinful when they hinder greater duties.

Gill: Mat 8:21 - -- And another of his disciples said unto him,.... That is, one of his disciples; for this does not suppose, that the other, the Scribe before mentioned,...

And another of his disciples said unto him,.... That is, one of his disciples; for this does not suppose, that the other, the Scribe before mentioned, was one. It is possible, he might be one of the twelve. The Persic version makes him one of the disciples, whom they call "Hawarion", apostles; and, according to ancient tradition, it was d Philip. And certain it is, that he was one, who was called to preach the Gospel; so that he was not a common ordinary disciple; nor could he be one of the seventy disciples, since it was after this, that they were called and sent forth; as appears from Luke's account, Luk 9:60. But who he particularly was, cannot be certainly known, nor is it of any great importance to know it: his address to Christ is made with great respect and reverence, and in a very modest and humble manner,

Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father: for it seems, according to Luke, that Christ had bid him "follow" him: he had given him a call to be his disciple, and to go and preach the Gospel, which he did not refuse; but desires leave "first" to attend his father's funeral, who was now dead; as his requests, and Christ's answer, both suppose: though some conjecture, that he was only very aged, or was dangerously ill; and therefore it could not be thought he would live long: hence he was desirous of doing this last good office, before he entered on his public work; but these are conjectures, without any foundation: it is plain, his father was dead, and what he requested was, to go home, which perhaps might not be a great way off, and perform the funeral rites, and then return. This may seem very reasonable, since burying the dead was reckoned by the Jews, not only an act of kindness and respect to the deceased, but an act of piety and religion; and in which, men are followers of God, and imitate him, who himself buried the body of Moses e. And though this man was called to preach the Gospel, yet he might think he would be easily excused for the present, on this account; since, according to the Jewish canons, such whose dead lay before them, who were as yet unburied, were excused reading the Shema, they were free from performing the duty of prayer, and were not obliged to wear their phylacteries f.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Mat 8:21 ‡ Most mss (C L W Θ 0250 Ë1,13 Ï lat sy mae bo) read αὐτοῦ (autou, “his”) here, but the ea...

Geneva Bible: Mat 8:21 ( 5 ) And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. ( 5 ) When God requires our labour, we must cease a...

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Mat 8:1-34 - --1 Christ cleanses the leper;5 heals the centurion's servant,14 Peter's mother in law,16 and many other diseased;18 shows how he is to be followed;23 s...

Maclaren: Mat 8:21-22 - --Christ Stimulating Sluggish Discipleship "And another of His disciples said unto Him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 22. But Jesus s...

MHCC: Mat 8:18-22 - --One of the scribes was too hasty in promising; he proffers himself to be a close follower of Christ. He seems to be very resolute. Many resolutions fo...

Matthew Henry: Mat 8:18-22 - -- Here is, I. Christ's removing to the other side of the sea of Tiberias, and his ordering his disciples, whose boats attended him, to get their tra...

Barclay: Mat 8:18-22 - --At first sight this section seems out of place in this chapter. The chapter is a chapter of miracles, and at first sight these verses do not seem to...

Barclay: Mat 8:18-22 - --But there was another man who wished to follow Jesus. He said he would follow Jesus, if he was first allowed to go and bury his father. Jesus' ans...

Constable: Mat 8:1--11:2 - --III. The manifestation of the King 8:1--11:1 "Matthew has laid the foundational structure for his argument in ch...

Constable: Mat 8:1--9:35 - --A. Demonstrations of the King's power 8:1-9:34 Matthew described Jesus' ministry as consisting of teachi...

Constable: Mat 8:18-22 - --2. Jesus' authority over His disciples 8:18-22 (cf. Luke 9:57-62) Matthew evidently inserted the...

Constable: Mat 8:21-22 - --Jesus' demands regarding parents 8:21-22 The first disciple was too quick when he promis...

College: Mat 8:1-34 - --MATTHEW 8 E. MINISTRY IN DEED (8:1-9:35) While it has been recognized that chapters 8 and 9 comprise a distinct section within the first Gospel, the...

McGarvey: Mat 8:18-27 - -- LV. JESUS STILLS THE STORM. (Sea of Galilee; same day as last section) aMATT. VIII. 18-27; bMARK IV. 35-41; cLUKE VIII. 22-25.    b35...

Lapide: Mat 8:1-34 - --CHAPTER 8 Ver. 2.—And, behold, a leper, &c. This same miracle is related by S. Mark (Mar 1:40), and by Luke (Luk 5:12). From a comparison of thes...

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Introduction / Outline

Robertson: Matthew (Book Introduction) THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW By Way of Introduction The passing years do not make it any plainer who actually wrote our Greek Matthew. Papias r...

JFB: Matthew (Book Introduction) THE author of this Gospel was a publican or tax gatherer, residing at Capernaum, on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. As to his identity with t...

JFB: Matthew (Outline) GENEALOGY OF CHRIST. ( = Luke 3:23-38). (Mat. 1:1-17) BIRTH OF CHRIST. (Mat 1:18-25) VISIT OF THE MAGI TO JERUSALEM AND BETHLEHEM. (Mat 2:1-12) THE F...

TSK: Matthew (Book Introduction) Matthew, being one of the twelve apostles, and early called to the apostleship, and from the time of his call a constant attendant on our Saviour, was...

TSK: Matthew 8 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Mat 8:1, Christ cleanses the leper; Mat 8:5, heals the centurion’s servant, Mat 8:14. Peter’s mother in law, Mat 8:16. and many other...

Poole: Matthew 8 (Chapter Introduction) CHAPTER 8

MHCC: Matthew (Book Introduction) Matthew, surnamed Levi, before his conversion was a publican, or tax-gatherer under the Romans at Capernaum. He is generally allowed to have written h...

MHCC: Matthew 8 (Chapter Introduction) (Mat 8:1) Multitudes follow Christ. (Mat 8:2-4) He heals a leper. (Mat 8:5-13) A centurion's servant healed. (Mat 8:14-17) Cure of Peter's wife's m...

Matthew Henry: Matthew (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Gospel According to St. Matthew We have now before us, I. The New Testament of our Lord and Savior...

Matthew Henry: Matthew 8 (Chapter Introduction) The evangelist having, in the foregoing chapters, given us a specimen of our Lord's preaching, proceeds now to give some instances of the miracles ...

Barclay: Matthew (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO SAINT MATTHEW The Synoptic Gospels Matthew, Mark and Luke are usually known as the Synoptic Gospels. Synopt...

Barclay: Matthew 8 (Chapter Introduction) Love In Action (Mat_8:1-34) Of all the gospel writers Matthew is the most orderly. He never sets out his material haphazardly. If in Matthew one th...

Constable: Matthew (Book Introduction) Introduction The Synoptic Problem The synoptic problem is intrinsic to all study of th...

Constable: Matthew (Outline) Outline I. The introduction of the King 1:1-4:11 A. The King's genealogy 1:1-17 ...

Constable: Matthew Matthew Bibliography Abbott-Smith, G. A. A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T. & T. Cl...

Haydock: Matthew (Book Introduction) THE HOLY GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST, ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW INTRODUCTION. THIS and other titles, with the names of those that wrote the Gospels,...

Gill: Matthew (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO MATTHEW The subject of this book, and indeed of all the writings of the New Testament, is the Gospel. The Greek word ευαγγελ...

College: Matthew (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION HISTORY OF INTERPRETATION It may surprise the modern reader to realize that for the first two centuries of the Christian era, Matthew's...

College: Matthew (Outline) OUTLINE I. ESTABLISHING THE IDENTITY AND ROLE OF JESUS THE CHRIST - Matt 1:1-4:16 A. Genealogy of Jesus - 1:1-17 B. The Annunciation to Joseph...

Lapide: Matthew (Book Introduction) PREFACE. —————— IN presenting to the reader the Second Volume [Matt X to XXI] of this Translation of the great work of Cornelius à Lapi...

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