Luke 9:60

Luk 9:60. Διάγγελλε) announce everywhere.[88] The same verb occurs, Rom 9:17. This the Lord was pressing forward at the time with the utmost ardour; comp. Luk 9:62, and the beginning of the following chapter. [It is probable that both this person and he of whom the following verses treat, were shortly after enrolled in the number of the Seventy.—V. g.]

[88] This is the force of διὰ, throughout, everywhere.—ED. and TRANSL.

Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament — English translation (T&T Clark, Edinburgh, 1860) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Who notwithstanding that they live in this frail life of man, yet are strangers from the true life, which is everlasting and heavenly.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

60. Let the dead bury their dead] i.e. let the spiritually dead (Eph_2:1; Joh_5:24-25) bury their physically dead. “Amandus est generator, sed praeponendus est Creator,” Aug. The general lesson is that of Luk_14:26.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Bury their dead, &c. Though this was an act of religion, yet it was not permitted him; that we may learn to prefer always the concerns of God to all human considerations. (St. Ambrose) --- However necessary this might appear, however easy, however short the time which it would take up, might be, it is not permitted him. Not the least delay can be allowed, although a thousand impediments stand in the way; for spiritual things must be preferred to things even the most necessary. (St. John Chrysostom, hom. xxviii. on S. Matt.)

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

60. ἄφες τοὺς νεκροὺς θάψαι τοὺς ἑαυτῶν νεκρούς. ‘Leave the dead to,’ &c. Vulg[209] dimitte mortuos sepelire mortuos suos, i.e. let the spiritually dead (Eph 2:1; Joh 5:24-25) bury their physically dead. “Amandus est generator, sed praeponendus est Creator,” Aug. The general lesson is that of Luk 14:26.

[209] Vulg. Vulgate.

διάγγελλε. ‘Publish abroad.’ Vulg[210] annuntia. Here alone in this connexion.

[210] Vulg. Vulgate.

Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges (Cambridge University Press, 1896; 21 vols, various authors incl. Carr, Maclear, Plummer, Farrar, Lumby, Moule, M. R. James, Simcox) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

60.] διάγ. κ.τ.λ., peculiar to Luke, and shews the independence of his source of information. Am I wrong in supposing also, that it connects this incident with the sending out of the Seventy, which follows immediately afterwards?

61,

Henry Alford, The Greek Testament (1849–1861) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

60. Ἄφες τοὺς νεκροὺς θάψαι τοὺς ἑαυτῶν νεκρούς. Comp. 8:51. The apparent harshness and obscurity of the saying is a guarantee for its authenticity. “Leave the spiritually dead to bury their own dead.” There will always be plenty of people who have never received or have refused the call to a higher life; and these can perform the ordinary duties of the family and of society. These lower duties are suitable to them,—τοὺς ἑαυτῶν νεκρούς. For a similar change of meaning from the figurative to the literal comp. Joh 5:21-29, where vv. 21-27 refer to spiritual resurrection from sin, vv. 28, 29 to actual resurrection from the grave; also Joh 11:25, Joh 11:26, where “die” is used in a double manner. To take νεκρούς in both places as figurative, implies that the father is spiritually dead. To take νεκρούς in both places as literal, gives the harsh meaning, “Leave the dead to take care of themselves.”

This disciple needs to be told, not of the privations of the calling, but of its lofty and imperative character. The opportunity must be embraced directly it comes, or it may be lost; and therefore even sacred duties must give way to it. Moreover, like the high priest (Lev 21:11) and the Nazirite (Num 6:6, Num 6:7), his will be a consecrated one, and he must not “make himself unclean for his father or for his mother.” Comp. Mat 10:37; Eze 24:16. By the time that the funeral rites were over, and the cleansed from pollution, Jesus would be far away, and he might, have become unwilling to follow Him.

σὺ δὲ ἀπελθὼν διάγγελλε τ. β. τ. Θ. Mt. omits this charge. Clem. Alex., quoting from memory, substitutes for it the preceding charge, σὺ δὲ ἀκολούθει μοι (loc. cit.). Word by word, it forms a contrast to the man’s request; ἀπελθών to ἀπελθόντι, διάγγελλε to θάψαι, τὴν βασιλείαν to τὸν πατέρα, τοῦ Θεοῦ to μου. “Depart, not home, but away from it; not to bury, but to spread abroad; not a father, but the Kingdom; not thine own, but God’s.” The σύ is emphatic: “But thou, who art not a νεκρός.” Jesus recognizes in him a true disciple, in spite of his hesitation; and the seeming sternness of the refusal is explained. For διάγγελλε, “publish everywhere,” comp. Act 21:26; Rom 9:17; Psa 2:7, 58:13; Psa_2 Mac. 3:34. Vulg. has adnuntia; d, prædica: divulga would be better than either.

International Critical Commentary — older volumes (1896–1929), various authors — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Their dead [τους εαυτων νεκρους] . As Rev., their own dead.

Preach [διαγγελλε] . Publish abroad, as Rev. dia, throughout all regions.

61, 62. Peculiar to Luke.

Marvin R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament (1887–1900) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.