Charles Ellicott Commentary Luke 9:61

"And another also said, I will follow thee, Lord; but first suffer me to bid farewell to them that are at my house." — Luke 9:61 (ASV)

Lord, I will follow thee.—This third example of our Lord’s method of dealing with half-hearted disciples is peculiar to St. Luke. Here, as in the first instance, there is what has the appearance of a spontaneous offer, coupled with a plea for postponement. The man pleads a wish to take a formal farewell of his relatives. The form of expression, the absence of any definite mention of father, wife, or children, somewhat suggests the thought that the man was free from the closer and more binding ties of relationship, and that the plea urged was therefore hollow and unreal.