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Verse Takeaways
1
Christ Must Be First
Commentators universally agree that this story's central lesson is the absolute priority of following Jesus. The disciple's request to 'first go and bury my father,' while culturally understandable and pious, revealed a divided loyalty. Scholars like Calvin and Spurgeon emphasize that all other duties, even sacred family obligations, must be secondary to the immediate call of Christ. True discipleship requires an unreserved, immediate commitment.
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Matthew
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Commentaries
11
Albert Barnes
On Matthew 8:21
18th Century
Theologian
And another of his disciples, etc. The word disciple properly signifies learner; and was given to his followers because they rece…
AT Robertson
On Matthew 8:21
And bury my father (κα θαψα τον πατερα μου). The first man was an enthusiast. This one is overcautious. It is by no means certain …
Charles Spurgeon
On Matthew 8:18–24
19th Century
Preacher
Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side. And a certain scribe came, and said unto him,…
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Expositor's Bible Commentary
On Matthew 8:21
If the scribe was too quick in promising, this “disciple” was too slow in performing. Palestinian piety, basing itself on the fifth commandment ([R…
John Calvin
On Matthew 8:21
16th Century
Theologian
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 offe…
John Gill
On Matthew 8:21
17th Century
Pastor
And another of his disciples said unto him That is, one of his disciples; for this does not suppose, that the other, the …
Matthew Henry
On Matthew 8:18–22
17th Century
Minister
One of the scribes was too hasty in his promise; he offered himself as a close follower of Christ. He seemed very resolute. Many resolutions regard…
Thomas Aquinas
On Matthew 8:14–27
13th Century
Philosopher
And when Jesus had come into Simon Peter’s house, etc. Christ’s power is commended in the cure of the leper; it is also c…