When Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side. 19 A scribe approached and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20 Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” 21 Another of [his] disciples said to him, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” 22 But Jesus answered him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.”
As the crowds continue to grow around Jesus, He gives an unexpected command: “He gave orders to cross to the other side” (Mt 8:18). Though brief, this moment marks a turning point. Jesus does not stay where the crowd is largest or where admiration is easiest. Instead, He withdraws, reminding us that the true path of discipleship is not about popularity but obedience to the Father’s will—even when it means leaving comfort behind.
At this moment, a scribe approaches and says, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go” (v. 19). In context, this is striking. Scribes were scholars of the Law—often critical of Jesus—and yet this one expresses what seems to be sincere admiration. But Jesus’ reply is sobering: “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head” (v. 20). In other words, following Christ is not merely a spiritual feeling—it entails a willingness to share in His poverty, insecurity, and rejection. The title “Son of Man,” drawn from Daniel 7:13–14, reveals both Jesus’ humility and His messianic identity: He is the one with divine authority, yet He accepts a path without worldly security. Jesus tests the scribe’s resolve by presenting the cost of true discipleship (Navarre Bible: Matthew, 2008).
Another disciple asks, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father” (v. 21). This may sound like a reasonable request, especially since honoring one’s father and mother is a commandment (Ex 20:12). But Jesus replies, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead” (v. 22). His words are not a rejection of filial love, but a stark call to spiritual urgency. In Hebrew idiom, “the dead” can refer to the spiritually dead—those not awakened to the Kingdom of God. Jesus is saying that nothing—not even the most sacred familial duties—can take precedence over the call to proclaim and live the Gospel.
This moment echoes Elijah’s call of Elisha in 1 Kings 19:19–21, where Elisha is allowed to bid farewell to his family before following. But here, Jesus demands a greater immediacy. The Kingdom of God is at hand (cf. Mt 4:17), and following Christ must come before every other attachment.
There is also a theological thread running through this exchange. Discipleship is not merely about belief—it is about configuration to Christ. To follow Him means to embrace His mission, including its hardships. As St. Paul writes, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Gal 2:20). The grace to follow is real—but it costs everything.
Lord Jesus, You call us to follow You without conditions, without hesitation, and without reserve. Help us to leave behind what holds us back and to respond with full hearts. Give us the grace to walk with You in trust, even when the path is uncertain. Amen!
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Sources and References:
- The Holy Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition (2011).
- A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture, ed. Orchard et al. (1953).
- The Navarre Bible: Matthew, Faculty of the University of Navarre (2008).
- The Paulist Biblical Commentary, ed. Chiu et al. (2018).
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, §§520, 544, 1691.
- St. John Chrysostom, Homilies on the Gospel of Matthew, Homily 27.
- Daniel 7:13–14; 1 Kings 19:19–21; Galatians 2:20; Exodus 20:12; Matthew 4:17.
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