New Testament
Luke 9:60
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
Jesus told him, "Let the dead bury their own dead. You go and proclaim the kingdom of God."
Compare translations
Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
What Luke 9:60 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Jesus responds to a man who wants to delay following Him to bury his father. Jesus uses a strong metaphor, suggesting that those who are spiritually dead (unresponsive to God) can take care of their own. The call to follow Him and proclaim the kingdom of God is urgent and takes precedence over even the most significant social obligations. This statement emphasizes the importance of prioritizing spiritual commitments over earthly concerns. Jesus is not dismissing the importance of family or mourning but is highlighting the urgency of spreading the message of God's kingdom. The call to discipleship requires a willingness to leave behind worldly ties and focus on the mission of sharing the gospel. This passage challenges believers to evaluate their priorities and consider what it means to truly follow Christ, even when it requires sacrifice or difficult choices.
How to apply Luke 9:60 to your life
This verse encourages us to prioritize our commitment to God above all else. It challenges us to evaluate what might be holding us back from fully following Christ. We should seek to share the message of the kingdom actively, even when it requires difficult choices or sacrifices in our lives.
Curated for this public verse page. Luke Summary
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Jesus's story: Setting Out for Jerusalem (Luke 9:51–62)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Jesus
Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002724966). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Bethlehem, West Bank; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Bethlehem
David's hometown, and the town where Jesus was born.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Luke 9:60
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Luke 9:60
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Luke
- Author
- Luke the physician
- Written
- Around AD 60-62
- Genre
- Gospel and history
- Original Audience
- Gentile Christians (addressed to Theophilus)
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Luke 9:60 mean?
In Luke 9:60, Jesus tells a man that those who are spiritually dead can handle their own burial needs. He emphasizes that following Him and spreading the message of God's kingdom is more urgent than any earthly obligation.
What is the meaning of 'let the dead bury their own dead' in Luke 9:60?
The phrase 'let the dead bury their own dead' suggests that those who are spiritually unresponsive can take care of their own matters. Jesus is highlighting the urgency of prioritizing spiritual commitments over social or familial duties.
How does Luke 9:60 relate to discipleship?
Luke 9:60 illustrates that true discipleship requires a willingness to leave behind worldly ties and focus on the mission of sharing God's kingdom. It challenges believers to evaluate their priorities in light of their commitment to Christ.
What themes are present in Luke 9:60?
Key themes in Luke 9:60 include discipleship, the urgency of the gospel, spiritual priorities, and the necessity of sacrifice. The verse encourages believers to consider what it means to follow Christ wholeheartedly.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.