Matthew 8:21
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
And another of his disciples said to him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
American King James Version (AKJV)
And another of his disciples said to him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
American Standard Version (ASV)
And another of the disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
And another of the disciples said to him, Lord, let me first go and give the last honours to my father.
Webster's Revision
And another of his disciples said to him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
World English Bible
Another of his disciples said to him, "Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father."
English Revised Version (ERV)
And another of the disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
Clarke's Matthew 8:21 Bible Commentary
Another of his disciples - This does not mean any of the twelve, but one of those who were constant hearers of our Lord's preaching; the name of disciple being common to all those who professed to believe in him, John 6:66. Bury my father: probably his father was old, and apparently near death; but it was a maxim among the Jews, that, if a man had any duty to perform to the dead, he was, for that time, free from the observance of any other precept or duty. The children of Adam are always in extremes; some will rush into the ministry of the Gospel without a call, others will delay long after they are called; the middle way is the only safe one: not to move a finger in the work till the call be given, and not to delay a moment after.
Barnes's Matthew 8:21 Bible Commentary
And another of his disciples ... - The word "disciple" properly signifies "learner," and was given to the followers of Jesus because they received him as their teacher. See the notes at Matthew 5:1. It does not of necessity mean that a "disciple" was a pious man, but only one of the multitude, who, for various causes, might attend on his instructions. See John 6:66; John 9:28.
Suffer me first to go and bury my father - This seemed to be a reasonable request, as respect for parents, living or dead, is one of the first duties of religion. But the Saviour saw that in his circumstances there might be danger, if he was thus permitted to go, that he would not return to him: and he commanded him, therefore, to perform the more important duty - the duty of attending to the salvation of his soul even at the risk of the apparent neglect of another duty. The first duty of man is religion, and everything else should be made subordinate to that.
Wesley's Matthew 8:21 Bible Commentary
8:21 Another said - I will follow thee without any such view; but I must mind my business first. It is not certain that his father was already dead. Perhaps his son desired to stay with him, being very old, till his death.