MPV Commentary

Incidents Illustrative of Discipleship.

The two incidents recorded here are also found in Luke, but with a third incident that is unique to his account. Some scholars have suggested that one of these incidents may have occurred twice, leading to the mention of the others at different times. However, this theory seems too artificial. Taking them as a single set of occurrences, we can examine their meaning and significance.

I. The Rash or Precipitate Disciple (Mt 8:19-20)

A certain scribe approached Jesus and said, "Master, I will follow you wherever you go." But Jesus replied, "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head." This disciple was likely one of the many who had attached themselves to Jesus, but without a deep understanding of what it meant to follow him. His enthusiasm was genuine, but it was also superficial. He was drawn to Jesus' message and wanted to be part of it, but he didn't fully consider the costs or challenges involved.

Jesus' response was not a rejection of this disciple's offer, but rather an invitation to think more deeply about what it meant to follow him. The Lord was saying, "Do you know who I am and where I'm going? Are you prepared for the kind of life I lead?" Jesus wasn't asking for a commitment without consideration; he wanted his followers to understand the nature of their attachment.

II. The Procrastinating or Entangled Disciple (Mt 8:21-22)

Jesus called another disciple, saying, "Follow me." But this disciple replied, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father." Jesus responded, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead." This disciple was willing to follow Jesus, but he wanted to delay his departure until after his father's burial. However, it's unlikely that his father had just died; rather, this was a common practice of burying one's parents when they were old or frail.

Jesus' response was not a rejection of the disciple's desire to care for his family, but rather an invitation to prioritize the kingdom of God. The Lord was saying, "Your father will be taken care of; don't worry about it. But the kingdom of God is in need of your service." Jesus wasn't asking this disciple to abandon his family entirely, but rather to recognize that his true calling was to preach the kingdom of God.

III. The Irresolute or Wavering Disciple (Lu 9:61-62)

Another disciple said to Jesus, "Lord, I will follow you, but let me first go bid them farewell which are at home at my house." Jesus replied, "No one who has put their hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God." This disciple was willing to follow Jesus, but he wanted to delay his departure until after saying goodbye to his family. However, this was not a simple matter of delaying his departure; it was a sign of hesitation and uncertainty.

Jesus' response was a warning against looking back or being distracted from one's calling. The Lord was saying, "If you're going to follow me, don't look back; stay focused on the task at hand." This is not a rejection of family ties or relationships, but rather an invitation to prioritize one's commitment to Jesus above all else.

In contrast to this disciple, Elisha had bid farewell to his family and followed Elijah without hesitation. His actions demonstrated that he was willing to leave behind his old life for the sake of his new calling. The Lord's warning is not against bidding farewell to loved ones, but rather against being distracted from one's true purpose.