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Explanation for:
Matthew
8
:
22
But Jesus said to him: Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.
10
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The one who is truly dead is the one who lacks faith. However, if the spiritually dead attend to those who are also dead, we should focus on the living and not allow ourselves to be labeled as among the dead, as we remain preoccupied with those who have passed."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The Savior consistently emphasized the significance of His mission. However, one might question why He did not permit the disciple to attend his father's burial. The reasoning lies in the fact that there were others capable of performing that task, and the disciple’s focus needed to remain on the more essential work at hand. By stating \\"his dead,\\" He indicated the deceased was not a matter of familial obligation to the disciple. It seems to me that this dead man belonged to the ranks of the unbelieving. If you find it surprising that the young man approached Jesus regarding such a pressing issue instead of leaving, it is even more astonishing that he stayed with Jesus despite being told not to. One might argue, was it not ungrateful of him to neglect his father's burial? If his decision stemmed from laziness, that would indeed be ingratitude; yet if he chose not to step away for the sake of attending to the crucial work, then to withdraw would be the height of foolishness. Surely, Jesus’ prohibition stemmed not from an edict against honoring one's parents but was instead a lesson that heavenly matters ought to take precedence over all else. We are encouraged to pursue the eternal with great fervor, remaining mindful of spiritual priorities even when worldly concerns demand our attention. \\n\\nWhat could be more urgent than the burial of his father, and how much time could it require? If we find it unacceptable to set aside spiritual endeavors for the brief duration of a burial, we must reflect on what we are willing to sacrifice eternally when we neglect our Christian duties in favor of trivial matters, allowing ourselves to slip into complacency without encouragement. The wisdom of the Savior shines through as He not only draws the young man toward Him with a simple word, but also liberates him from myriad woes associated with grief and mourning. After the burial, the deceased’s estate would need attending, with the subsequent handling of inheritances and other issues that arise, presenting endless distractions that could lead him far from the shores of truth. Therefore, Christ compels him to stay close. \\n\\nIf you are still perplexed about the prohibition regarding attendance at the burial, consider that many individuals refrain from informing the timid of their neighbors’ deaths or allowing them at the gravesite, even if it's their father, mother, or child. We would not label such actions as cruel or inhumane, quite rightly. In fact, permitting the fearful to indulge in mourning could indeed be seen as unkind. While it is undesirable to grieve over relatives, it is far worse to turn away from spiritual guidance. That is why the Savior teaches: \\"No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God\\" (Luke 9:62). It is indeed a greater benefit to proclaim the kingdom of God and save others from death than to concern oneself only with burying those who can no longer contribute, especially when others are available for that task. \\n\\nFrom this, we learn not to squander even a moment of time regardless of the multitude of reasons that may seem valid, but rather to prioritize spiritual matters over all else, discerning clearly between life and death. Many who appear to be alive are no different from the dead when they live in wickedness; in fact, their condition could be worse. As it is written, “He who has died is freed from sin” (Rom. 6:7), whereas living in iniquity is serving sin. Do not claim that the living suffers less anguish than the dead simply because they are not decaying in a grave. Their torment is harsher than that of the dead, not due to physical decay but because of the spiritual suffering inflicted by desires of the soul. Open eyes can often behold far more distress than closed ones; the dead perceive no evil, while the living expose themselves to overwhelming afflictions. \\n\\nThe physical state of decay of a living person is overshadowed by the true spiritual decay that stands before God. Though they are outwardly vibrant, they harbor a deadened soul, enshrouded by ungodly habits. Those individuals go through life, unaware of their spiritual death, their insides decaying while their bodies continue to function. Therefore, while physical death entails only natural decay, a life lived in sin compounds that decay. The question arises about individuals who ride on horses—do they truly possess life? The dead lie atop a bier unnoticed, while the sinful roams, embodying a more grotesque fate. The dead can do no harm to the living; hence examining the condition of the soul offers better clarity than identifying those bound by sin. \\n\\nIt is regrettable that many remain in a state of spiritual insensibility, having metaphorically died. Yet we may approach Jesus and earnestly seek their revival, just as Mary did for Lazarus. Regardless of the longevity of their spiritual death, we should never lose heart. Instead, let us imitate the sisters of Lazarus, coming forth to plead with God for their revival. If we strive earnestly for ourselves and others, we will surely attain the life that God promises us through the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."},{"author-name":"Photios of Constantinople","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89714cf3e65c36024d2b8_Photios%20of%20Constantinople.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":9,"exegesis-text":"For this very reason (Matt. 10:37), He denied the request of the man who sought to attend his father's burial, not as a means to show disregard for his father, certainly not in a moment of mourning, nor to negate familial bonds or diminish love. Rather, this serves as a continual reminder to prioritize the salvation of the soul above all earthly attachments and desires."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"Once an individual has dedicated themselves to God, they should not revert to secular pursuits. While it is important to honor one's parents, loyalty to God must take precedence. In this context, the parent represents someone lacking faith, illustrated by the phrase “leave the dead,” referring to the unfaithful, “to bury their dead.” If this person was not allowed to bury their father, how lamentable it is for those who, having embraced monastic life, turn back to worldly concerns."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"Christ restrained him, not by denying him the opportunity to honor his parents, but by instructing him that one who aspires to the things of heaven should not revert to worldly matters. One should not forsake the living to attend to the dead or prioritize one's parents over God. He understood that others would take care of the burial, emphasizing that it would not be wise to abandon what is truly essential. It is likely that the deceased was an unbeliever; hence, He said to let the dead care for their own, as they belong to a faith distinct from yours. This deceased individual is not of your concern, for what connection exists between the faithful and the faithless? (2 Cor. 6:15). If you ponder how he did not leave of his own accord, reflect instead on how he chose to stay despite the prohibition. If Christ did not permit him to stray from His teachings, even briefly, what penalty shall we bear if we stray from His commandments at any moment?"},{"author-name":"Tichon of Zadonsk","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989ff6b5b4c943e70095_Tichon%20of%20Zadonsk.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":18,"exegesis-text":"Death exists in three dimensions: physical, spiritual, and eternal. Physical death is the separation of the soul from the body, a fate that awaits both the righteous and the wicked, from which no one can escape. The Scriptures address this aspect of death, stating, ‘It is appointed unto men once to die’ (Hebrews 9:27). The eternal death represents the ultimate demise from which condemned souls will never escape, desiring to dissolve into nothingness due to the severe and unending anguish they endure. Christ speaks of this eternal fate: ‘But the fearful and unfaithful, and the wicked and murderers, and the lovers and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall perish in the lake burning with fire and brimstone. This is the second death’ (Rev. 21:8). The spiritual death, the third category, encompasses those who do not believe in Christ, who is the true Life and the wellspring of life. Likewise, Christians who profess faith in God and in Christ, the Son of God, yet live in lawlessness, are also dead in this way. Just as the soul is essential to the body’s functioning, so too is the grace of God vital to the soul. Hence, when the soul departs from the body, the body is lifeless; conversely, if the soul lacks God’s grace, it remains spiritually dead. A person who is spiritually dead, ensnared in sin and gratifying carnal desires, shows apathy toward spiritual matters, remaining deaf to the Word of God. He possesses ears yet does not listen, lacks reverence for God, fails to honor Him, disregards His message, and lacks love for both God and neighbor. Instead, his heart is consumed with malice or emptiness and is neglectful of God’s purpose, remaining lifeless in sin like a corpse without a spirit. Consequently, the Word of God remains unproductive in such a person, akin to seed sown in barren soil that yields no harvest."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Yet Christ did not permit this either. JESUS responded, “Get behind me and attend to those who are spiritually dead.” In other words, He instructed him to abandon those who are spiritually deaf to His message, who fail to comprehend His mission, and who do not have faith in Him, thus remaining dead in their transgressions—He urged him to leave them to attend to their physical dead. The Lord recognized that the worries of this life could easily divert this hesitant individual from God’s work; since he was already following Christ, He sought to prevent him from being consumed by these distractions. Chrysostom notes, “Without him, there were others to inter the dead; the deceased would not have been left unburied, yet he should not have been removed from a task of greater importance.” The Lord's remark about “his own dead” indicates, in my view, that the deceased belonged to the ranks of the unbelieving. However, one might argue, “Isn’t it deeply ungrateful not to be present at my father's burial?” If the man had chosen to neglect it out of indifference, that would indeed reflect ingratitude. Yet if he abstained from attending in order to pursue an essential task, then he acted wisely. Jesus’ directive was not meant to imply disrespect for parental honor; rather, it emphasized that nothing is more vital than spiritual matters and that we should prioritize heavenly pursuits even when earthly responsibilities demand our attention. Certainly, what could be more pressing than a father’s burial? And what could be more straightforward than that? There would be little time to accomplish it. If it is unwise to postpone spiritual commitments for the duration of a father’s burial, consider what we are deserving of, who routinely neglect matters of faith in favor of trivial concerns. Furthermore, we must marvel at the profound wisdom demonstrated by the Savior, as He drew the young man closer with His words while simultaneously liberating him from the many sorrows that accompany death: the weeping, the mourning, and everything related to burial. Afterward, he would need to address the will, the division of inheritance, and so forth; thus, the tumult of these affairs could easily carry him away from the truth. This is why Christ called him closer. If Christ did not permit him even a brief departure from His teachings, what consequences await us if we stray from His commandments at any moment?"},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"“Follow me”: become my disciple (Matt. 4:19-22). The phrase “Leave the dead” illustrates two distinct meanings of the term “dead.” Initially, it refers to being spiritually dead, and subsequently, it denotes physical death. In Jewish thought, the term “dead” pertains to someone who is indifferent to a particular matter, or more accurately, to one who is unaffected by it. Thus, being dead to the world, the law (Rom. 7:4), and sin (Rom. 6:11), indicates that these elements hold no sway over a person, granting him liberation from their influence, as if they did not exist. A corpse in a grave is unresponsive to the joys or sorrows of existence. Similarly, individuals can be spiritually dead when they do not recognize the beauty, goodness, or truth of faith, remaining unresponsive to its call; sinners, who lack any effective relationship with religion, are also termed dead, for “the soul in evil is dead” (Orig.). These are the individuals to whom the Savior refers. He advises leaving the spiritually dead, those who are unresponsive to His message and whose sins render them lifeless (Eph. 2:1), to tend to their own affairs, while those who have embraced the life-giving word I proclaim are called to follow Me and persist as My disciples. \\n\\nThe Lord’s directive may initially seem ambiguous, yet it serves the dual purpose of either fulfilling the last obligation to a deceased father or testing the commitment of this disciple, as true devotion to Christ necessitates placing Him above all family ties (Matt. 10:37, Luke 14:26). Furthermore, it may serve as a caution, urging him to detach from family distractions that could divert his focus from Christ's mission—an important work that breathes life into those who are spiritually lifeless. The Lord likely recognized that domestic concerns could distract this disciple from his divine calling, which often hinders individuals from pursuing their spiritual needs. While it is indeed the responsibility of children to honor their parents in life and death, the Lord does not invalidate this duty; rather, He emphasizes that for the sake of the Gospel, one must be prepared to relinquish everything when circumstances demand it, prioritizing the most important calling above all else (cf. Theophilus)."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"But Jesus denied the request for permission, saying, \\"Let the dead bury their own dead.\\" According to Bishop Michael, the term \\"dead\\" here carries two distinct meanings: initially, it refers to being spiritually dead, while in the second instance, it denotes physical death. In Jewish tradition, the term \\"dead\\" applies to individuals who are indifferent to matters that hold significance for others. Consequently, being dead to the world, the law (Romans 7:4), and sin (Romans 6:2) signifies a state in which these forces exert no influence or control over a person, enabling them to live as if these concerns do not exist. Such individuals are spiritually unresponsive, akin to those who are dead to religion and cannot hear its call. These are the individuals Jesus refers to: \\"Leave those who are unresponsive to My words and My mission, those who neither understand nor acknowledge it, being dead in their transgressions (Ephesians 2:1, 3); allow them to tend to their own matters; but you, who have heard the message of life that I deliver, follow Me and remain My disciple.\\" Through this seemingly perplexing command, the Lord intended either to spare the disciple from the obligation to his deceased father or to test the depth of his commitment to Christ, as true devotion requires one to forsake familial ties for His sake (Matthew 10:37; Luke 14:26). Additionally, this may serve as a caution to protect him from relatives who might seek to divert him from Christ. The Lord may have recognized that the burdens of home and everyday life could distract the disciple from God's work, and thus He chose to prevent the disciple from leaving Him. While it is certainly essential for children to honor their parents both in life and after death, the Lord emphasizes that in situations requiring it, one must be willing to set aside everything for the sake of proclaiming the Kingdom of God."},{"author-name":"Lopuchin A.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c891400ee1341634d2276d_Lopuchin%20A.P..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The second individual was already partially a disciple of the Lord but sought to become a complete follower, provided he could first attend to the burial of his father. Christ's authoritative response was, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead”; in other words, he should entrust worldly matters and concerns to those who are spiritually unawakened. Anyone who desires to follow Christ must be prepared to forsake even their own parents. They must allow the spiritually dead to manage their earthly obligations."}]}
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