Bible Discussion Thread

Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead" Can you help me understand the various explanations regarding this verse. Thanx!

Sorry Parker , I probably should have given you some sort of scriptural reference to prop up my previous answer to you , I need to be more conscientious about doing that , try reading Ephesians chapter two , verses 1 - 6 , hope that's better .

Hello Parker. The Matthew 8:21,22 reference ties in with Luke 9:57-62. This disciple (not of the twelve), wanted to follow Jesus wherever he went but wasn't prepared to leave everything at once to do so. What he was asking of Jesus was if he could follow Jesus after his father had died (i.e. when his earthly responsibilities to his family were completed) & he was free to leave.

And so Jesus' response to this was, 'leave those matters to those who are concerned with them & who don't wish to follow me and learn of me - but if you're serious, then come follow Me now'. One might think that Jesus was a little hard on this man, but the message was, that time cannot be wasted on matters that others can take care of; and if we procrastinate on important matters now, we might just eventually lose interest in pursuing it altogether. Words matter little - Jesus required action as well - an immediate response, for His time was short.

They are dead in sin , Christians are alive in Christ because we have been cleansed from our sin by Christ's willing sacrifice , those who reject Christ for whatever reason i.e. they are atheists or idolators , they are dead already . Life comes through Christ .