SEV Biblia, Chapter 8:22
Y Jess le dijo: Sígueme; deja que los muertos entierren a sus muertos.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Matthew 8:22
Verse 22. Let the dead bury their dead.] It was usual for the Jews to consider a man as dead who had departed from the precepts of the law; and, on this ground, every transgressor was reputed a dead man. Our Lord's saying, being in common use, had nothing difficult in it to a Jew. Natural death is the separation of the body and soul; spiritual death, the separation of God and the soul: men who live in sin are dead to God. Leave the spiritually dead to bury their natural dead. All the common offices of life may be performed by any person; to preach the glad tidings of the kingdom of God is granted but to a few, and to these only by an especial call; these should immediately abandon worldly concerns and employments, and give themselves wholly up to the work of the ministry.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 22. But Jesus said unto him, follow thou me , etc.] Christ would not excuse him on this account, but insists on what he had before called him to; to attend upon him, and give himself up to the ministry of the word: which was done, partly to shew, that a greater regard ought to be had to him, than to the nearest relation and friend whatever; and partly, on account of the dignity of the Gospel ministry, which greatly exceeds any such services; as also to signify, of what little account were the traditions of the elders with him; wherefore he says, let the dead bury the dead . Our Lord is not to be understood, as speaking against, or disrespectfully of burying the dead; his words suppose it ought to be done: only it was not proper, that this person should be concerned in it at this time, who was called to an higher employment; and therefore should leave this to be done by persons, whom it better became. And however strange and odd such a phrase may sound in the ears of some, of one dead mans burying another, it was easily understood by a Jew; with whom it is common to say, tmk bwj ajwjh , that a sinner is counted as dead, and that ungodly persons, even while they are alive, ytm yywrq , are called dead f518 . And in this sense is the word used, in the former part of this phrase; and Christs meaning is, let such who are dead in trespasses and sins, and to all that is spiritually good, bury those who are dead in a natural or corporal sense. It is likely the deceased was an unregenerate man; however, it is plainly suggested, that many of the relations were; and there were enough of them to take care of this service: and therefore, there was no need why he should neglect the ministry of the Gospel to attend that; but, ought to leave it to persons who were fitter for it.
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
ο 3588 T-NSM δε 1161 CONJ ιησους 2424 N-NSM ειπεν 2036 5627 V-2AAI-3S αυτω 846 P-DSM ακολουθει 190 5720 V-PAM-2S μοι 3427 P-1DS και 2532 CONJ αφες 863 5628 V-2AAM-2S τους 3588 T-APM νεκρους 3498 A-APM θαψαι 2290 5658 V-AAN τους 3588 T-APM εαυτων 1438 F-3GPM νεκρους 3498 A-APM
Robertson's NT Word Studies
8:22 {Leave the dead to bury their own dead} (afes tous nekrous qayai tous heautwn nekrous). The spiritually dead are always on hand to bury the physically dead, if one's real duty is with Jesus. Chrysostom says that, while it is a good deed to bury the dead, it is a better one to preach Christ.
