Matthew 8:21
New International Version
Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

New Living Translation
Another of his disciples said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.”

English Standard Version
Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”

Berean Standard Bible
Another of His disciples requested, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

Berean Literal Bible
And another of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, allow me first to go and to bury my father."

King James Bible
And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

New King James Version
Then another of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”

New American Standard Bible
And another of the disciples said to Him, “Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father.”

NASB 1995
Another of the disciples said to Him, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.”

NASB 1977
And another of the disciples said to Him, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And another of the disciples said to Him, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.”

Amplified Bible
Another of the disciples said to Him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father (collect my inheritance).”

Christian Standard Bible
“Lord,” another of his disciples said, “first let me go bury my father.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Lord,” another of His disciples said, “first let me go bury my father.”

American Standard Version
And another of the disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

Contemporary English Version
Another disciple said to Jesus, "Lord, let me wait till I bury my father."

English Revised Version
And another of the disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Another disciple said to him, "Sir, first let me go to bury my father."

Good News Translation
Another man, who was a disciple, said, "Sir, first let me go back and bury my father."

International Standard Version
Then another of his disciples told him, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father."

Majority Standard Bible
Another of His disciples requested, ?Lord, first let me go and bury my father.?

NET Bible
Another of the disciples said to him, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father."

New Heart English Bible
And another of the disciples said to him, "Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father."

Webster's Bible Translation
And another of his disciples said to him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

Weymouth New Testament
Another of the disciples said to Him, "Sir, allow 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.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And another of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, permit me first to depart and to bury my father”;

Berean Literal Bible
And another of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, allow me first to go and to bury my father."

Young's Literal Translation
And another of his disciples said to him, 'Sir, permit me first to depart and to bury my father;'

Smith's Literal Translation
And another of his disciples said to him, Lord, permit me first to go and inter my father.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And another of his disciples said to him: Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.”

New American Bible
Another of [his] disciples said to him, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.”

New Revised Standard Version
Another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Another of his disciples said to him, My Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But another of his disciples said to him, “My Lord, allow me to first go bury my Father.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And another of his disciples said to him: Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.

Godbey New Testament
And another of His disciples said to Him, Lord, permit me first to go away and bury my father.

Haweis New Testament
And another of his disciples said unto him, Permit me first to go and bury my father.

Mace New Testament
another of his disciples said to him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

Weymouth New Testament
Another of the disciples said to Him, "Sir, allow me first to go and bury my father."

Worrell New Testament
And another of the disciples said to Him, "Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father."

Worsley New Testament
But another of his disciples, whom he ordered to follow Him, said unto Him, Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Cost of Discipleship
20Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.” 21 Another of His disciples requested, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 22But Jesus told him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”…

Cross References
Luke 9:59-60
Then He said to another man, “Follow Me.” The man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” / But Jesus told him, “Let the dead bury their own dead. You, however, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

Matthew 10:37
Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me;

Luke 14:26
“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be My disciple.

Matthew 19:29
And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for the sake of My name will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.

Luke 18:29-30
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God / will fail to receive many times more in this age—and in the age to come, eternal life.”

Mark 10:29-30
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for My sake and for the gospel / will fail to receive a hundredfold in the present age—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and fields, along with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.

John 12:25-26
Whoever loves his life will lose it, but whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. / If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, My servant will be as well. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.

Matthew 16:24-25
Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. / For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

Luke 9:23-24
Then Jesus said to all of them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. / For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.

John 21:22
Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain until I return, what is that to you? You follow Me!”

1 Kings 19:20-21
So Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, and then I will follow you.” “Go on back,” Elijah replied, “for what have I done to you?” / So Elisha turned back from him, took his pair of oxen, and slaughtered them. Using the oxen’s equipment for fuel, he cooked the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow and serve Elijah.

Deuteronomy 33:9
He said of his father and mother, ‘I do not consider them.’ He disregarded his brothers and did not know his own sons, for he kept Your word and maintained Your covenant.

Genesis 12:1
Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you.

Genesis 22:1-3
Some time later God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he answered. / “Take your son,” God said, “your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. Offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.” / So Abraham got up early the next morning, saddled his donkey, and took along two of his servants and his son Isaac. He split the wood for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had designated.

Exodus 32:27-29
He told them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Each of you men is to fasten his sword to his side, go back and forth through the camp from gate to gate, and slay his brother, his friend, and his neighbor.’” / The Levites did as Moses commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people fell dead. / Afterward, Moses said, “Today you have been ordained for service to the LORD, since each man went against his son and his brother; so the LORD has bestowed a blessing on you this day.”


Treasury of Scripture

And another of his disciples said to him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

another.

Luke 9:59-62
And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father…

suffer.

Matthew 19:29
And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

Leviticus 21:11,12
Neither shall he go in to any dead body, nor defile himself for his father, or for his mother; …

Numbers 6:6,7
All the days that he separateth himself unto the LORD he shall come at no dead body…

Jump to Previous
Allow Bury Depart Disciple Disciples First Honours Last Permit Sir Suffer
Jump to Next
Allow Bury Depart Disciple Disciples First Honours Last Permit Sir Suffer
Matthew 8
1. Jesus cleanses the leper;
5. heals the centurion's servant,
14. Peter's mother in law,
16. and many others;
18. shows the cost of following him;
23. stills the storm on the sea;
28. drives the demons out of two men possessed;
31. and tells them to go into the pigs.














Another of His disciples
This phrase indicates that the speaker is not one of the Twelve Apostles but still a follower of Jesus. The term "disciple" (Greek: μαθητής, mathētēs) broadly refers to a learner or student. In the context of the New Testament, it signifies someone who is committed to following Jesus and His teachings. This highlights the inclusive nature of Jesus' ministry, where many were drawn to His message and sought to learn from Him, even if they were not part of the inner circle.

requested
The act of requesting here implies a sense of respect and recognition of authority. The Greek word used is "εἶπεν" (eipen), which means "said" or "spoke." This suggests a direct communication with Jesus, acknowledging His position as a teacher and leader. The disciple's approach is polite and deferential, indicating the reverence with which Jesus was regarded by His followers.

Lord
The term "Lord" (Greek: κύριος, kyrios) is a title of respect and authority. In the Jewish context, it was used to address someone with power or honor. For the early Christians, calling Jesus "Lord" was a recognition of His divine authority and messianic role. This acknowledgment is crucial, as it reflects the disciple's understanding of Jesus' identity and his willingness to submit to His leadership.

first let me go
This phrase indicates a prioritization of duties. The disciple is expressing a desire to fulfill a familial obligation before fully committing to following Jesus. The use of "first" (Greek: πρῶτον, prōton) suggests a sequence of actions, where the disciple feels the need to address personal responsibilities before engaging in spiritual ones. This reflects a common human struggle of balancing earthly duties with spiritual commitments.

and bury my father
In Jewish culture, burying one's father was a significant duty, rooted in the commandment to honor one's parents (Exodus 20:12). The phrase "bury my father" (Greek: θάψαι τὸν πατέρα μου, thapsai ton patera mou) implies an immediate and pressing obligation. Historically, burial customs were important in Jewish society, often involving a period of mourning and ritual. This request highlights the tension between cultural expectations and the radical call of discipleship that Jesus presents. The disciple's request underscores the challenge of prioritizing the kingdom of God over traditional social and familial obligations, a theme that Jesus frequently addressed in His teachings.

(21) Suffer me first to go and bury my father.--A curious tradition, preserved by Clement of Alexandria, says that the disciple who came with this request was Philip. Nothing in the Gospel history, however, suggests this. Philip had been called before, and had obeyed the call (John 1:43). All that we can say is that it may have been so, and that he may at this stage of his spiritual growth have shrunk from the fresh activity of actual service in the work of evangelising. The form of the petition may mean either (1) that his father was then actually dead, and that the disciple asked leave to remain and pay the last honours to his remains, or (2) that he asked to remain with his father till his death. The latter seems by far the most probable. In the East burial followed so immediately on death that the former would hardly have involved more than the delay of a few hours. In the latter case the request was, in fact, a plea for indefinite postponement. This at least fits in best with the apparent severity of our Lord's answer.

Verse 21. - And another of his (Revised Version, the) disciples said unto him. Disciples in the wider sense (Matthew 5:1, note),whether the twelve had or had not been chosen. In the latter case, the man may have been Thomas (Trench, loc. cit.), but hardly Philip (Clem. Alex.) after John 1:43. Yet it is precarious to see in him the despondency of Thomas (John 11:6; John 20:24, 25) merely because his father is dead, and he has scruples about immediately following Christ. Lord, suffer me first. The man's words imply a consciousness of a call. His heart told him that he ought to go, but he asks for a delay, and, in fact, a real difficulty seems to hinder him from going. St. Luke places the Lord's "Follow me" before the man's request; but here, as in textual criticism, proclivi scriptioni praestat ardua. To go and bury my father. Then lying dead. Of all filial duties perhaps the most bind-ins (cf. Tobit 4:3 Tobit 14:10, 11). Observe

(1) that the burial would take place much sooner than is usual with us, and would seldom be more than twenty-four hours after death;

(2) that, however, according to Jewish law, the ceremonial observances connected with the burial and consequent purifications would have taken many days (Edersheim, 'Life,' 2:133).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Another
Ἕτερος (Heteros)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2087: (a) of two: another, a second, (b) other, different, (c) one's neighbor. Of uncertain affinity; other or different.

of His
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

disciples
μαθητῶν (mathētōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3101: A learner, disciple, pupil. From manthano; a learner, i.e. Pupil.

requested,
εἶπεν (eipen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

“Lord,
Κύριε (Kyrie)
Noun - Vocative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

first
πρῶτον (prōton)
Adverb - Superlative
Strong's 4412: First, in the first place, before, formerly. Neuter of protos as adverb; firstly.

let
ἐπίτρεψόν (epitrepson)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2010: To turn to, commit, entrust; I allow, yield, permit. From epi and the base of trope; to turn over, i.e. Allow.

me
μοι (moi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

go
ἀπελθεῖν (apelthein)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 565: From apo and erchomai; to go off, aside or behind, literally or figuratively.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

bury
θάψαι (thapsai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 2290: To bury. A primary verb; to celebrate funeral rites, i.e. Inter.

my
μου (mou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

father.”
πατέρα (patera)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3962: Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'.


Links
Matthew 8:21 NIV
Matthew 8:21 NLT
Matthew 8:21 ESV
Matthew 8:21 NASB
Matthew 8:21 KJV

Matthew 8:21 BibleApps.com
Matthew 8:21 Biblia Paralela
Matthew 8:21 Chinese Bible
Matthew 8:21 French Bible
Matthew 8:21 Catholic Bible

NT Gospels: Matthew 8:21 Another of his disciples said to him (Matt. Mat Mt)
Matthew 8:20
Top of Page
Top of Page