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But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

Verse Takeaways

1

The Plowman's Focus

Commentators universally agree that Jesus uses a powerful and practical farming analogy. Just as a plowman must fix his eyes forward to plow a straight line, a disciple must maintain an unwavering focus on following Christ. Scholars note that for ancient farmers, looking back would ruin the work, making the person unfit for the task.

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Book Overview

Luke

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Commentaries

9

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes

On Luke 9:62

18th Century

Theologian

No man, having put his hand, &c. To put one's hand to a plough is a proverbial expression to signify undertaking any business. So that a p…

AT Robertson

AT Robertson

On Luke 9:62

Having put his hand to the plough (επιβαλων την χειρα επ' αροτρον). Second aorist active participle of επιβαλλω, an old and common…

Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott

On Luke 9:62

19th Century

Bishop

No man, having put his hand to the plough . . .—The image which our Lord used was, as usual, one that went home to the pe…

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Charles Spurgeon

Charles Spurgeon

On Luke 9:57–62

19th Century

Preacher

And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus s…

Expositor's Bible Commentary

Expositor's Bible Commentary

On Luke 9:62

Although saying good-by is not at all the emotional equivalent of a funeral, it still represents a family duty that must be forsaken for service to…

John Calvin

John Calvin

On Luke 9:62

16th Century

Theologian

He who, after having put his hand to the plough, shall look back, is unfit for the kingdom of God. We must carefully inquire what this dec…

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John Gill

John Gill

On Luke 9:62

17th Century

Pastor

And Jesus said unto him
The copulative "and", is left out in the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Arabic, and Persic versions:…

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry

On Luke 9:57–62

17th Century

Minister

Here is one who is eager to follow Christ, but seems to have been hasty and rash, and not to have counted the cost. If we intend to follow Christ, …