SEV Biblia, Chapter 8:21
Y otro de sus discípulos le dijo: Seor, dame licencia para que vaya primero, y entierre a mi padre.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Matthew 8:21
Verse 21. 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 vi. 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.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 21. And another of his disciples said unto him , etc.] That is, one of his disciples; for this does not suppose, that the other, the Scribe before mentioned, was one. It is possible, he might be one of the twelve. The Persic version makes him one of the disciples, whom they call Hawarion, apostles; and, according to ancient tradition, it was Philip. And certain it is, that he was one, who was called to preach the Gospel; so that he was not a common ordinary disciple; nor could he be one of the seventy disciples, since it was after this, that they were called and sent forth; as appears from Lukes account, ( Luke 9:60,10:1). But who he particularly was, cannot be certainly known, nor is it of any great importance to know it: his address to Christ is made with great respect and reverence, and in a very modest and humble manner, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father : for it seems, according to Luke, that Christ had bid him follow him: he had given him a call to be his disciple, and to go and preach the Gospel, which he did not refuse; but desires leave first to attend his fathers funeral, who was now dead; as his requests, and Christs answer, both suppose: though some conjecture, that he was only very aged, or was dangerously ill; and therefore it could not be thought he would live long: hence he was desirous of doing this last good office, before he entered on his public work; but these are conjectures, without any foundation: it is plain, his father was dead, and what he requested was, to go home, which perhaps might not be a great way off, and perform the funeral rites, and then return. This may seem very reasonable, since burying the dead was reckoned by the Jews, not only an act of kindness and respect to the deceased, but an act of piety and religion; and in which, men are followers of God, and imitate him, who himself buried the body of Moses f515 . And though this man was called to preach the Gospel, yet he might think he would be easily excused for the present, on this account; since, according to the Jewish canons, such whose dead lay before them, who were as yet unburied, were excused reading the Shema, they were free from performing the duty of prayer, and were not obliged to wear their phylacteries f516 .
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 18-22 - One of the scribes was too hasty in promising; he proffers himself to be a close follower of Christ. He seems to be very resolute. Man resolutions for religion are produced by sudden conviction, and take up without due consideration; these come to nothing. When this scrib offered to follow Christ, one would think he should have bee encouraged; one scribe might do more credit and service than twelv fishermen; but Christ saw his heart, and answered to its thoughts, an therein teaches all how to come to Christ. His resolve seems to have been from a worldly, covetous principle; but Christ had not a place to lay his head on, and if he follows him, he must not expect to far better than he fared. We have reason to think this scribe went away Another was too slow. Delay in doing is as bad on the one hand, a hastiness in resolving is on the other. He asked leave to attend his father to his grave, and then he would be at Christ's service. Thi seemed reasonable, yet it was not right. He had not true zeal for the work. Burying the dead, especially a dead father, is a good work, but it is not thy work at this time. If Christ requires our service affection even for the nearest and dearest relatives, and for thing otherwise our duty, must give way. An unwilling mind never wants a excuse. Jesus said to him, Follow me; and, no doubt, power went with this word to him as to others; he did follow Christ, and cleaved to him. The scribe said, I will follow thee; to this man Christ said Follow me; comparing them together, it shows that we are brought to Christ by the force of his call to us, Ro 9:16.
Greek Textus Receptus
ετερος 2087 A-NSM δε 1161 CONJ των 3588 T-GPM μαθητων 3101 N-GPM αυτου 846 P-GSM ειπεν 2036 5627 V-2AAI-3S αυτω 846 P-DSM κυριε 2962 N-VSM επιτρεψον 2010 5657 V-AAM-2S μοι 3427 P-1DS πρωτον 4412 ADV απελθειν 565 5629 V-2AAN και 2532 CONJ θαψαι 2290 5658 V-AAN τον 3588 T-ASM πατερα 3962 N-ASM μου 3450 P-1GS
Robertson's NT Word Studies
8:21 {And bury my father} (kai qayai ton patera mou). The first man was an enthusiast. this one is overcautious. It is by no means certain that the father was dead. Tobit urged his son Tobias to be sure to bury him: "Son, when I am dead, bury me" (Tobit 4:3). The probability is that this disciple means that, after his father is dead and buried, he will qen be free to follow Jesus. "At the present day, an Oriental, with his father sitting by his side, has been known to say respecting his future projects: 'But I must first bury my father!'" (Plummer). Jesus wanted first things first. But even if his father was not actually dead, service to Christ comes first.
