Open Graves
But He said to them, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:60
Allow – Does this statement seem a little harsh? Does it smack of a lack of compassion for the dead and for those who mourn over the dead? We don’t like to think of Yeshua in the same way we think of our own humanity, do we? We don’t want Him to express the frustration, irritation or exasperation that we feel? And we certainly don’t want Him to be caustic or abrasive. But how else can we understand this statement? And, by the way, what kind of kingdom are we supposed to be proclaiming if it entails explicit disregard for mourners at funerals? Isn’t that the time when we are supposed to be compassionate?
The usual Christian interpretation of this passage side-steps these questions by moving the context from the ordinary world of dying to the spiritual world of salvation. We avoid the unpleasantness of a Savior who seems sarcastic by converting His words into a declaration of the difference between believers and non-believers. Instead of reading the text as it is, we convert it to something like this: “Let those who aren’t saved bury their physically dead since they are already spiritually dead themselves, but as for you, go proclaim eternal life so that maybe some of those poor lost souls will repent and be saved.” That’s a comfortable solution, but it imports a lot of theology where it might not belong.
The problem, of course, is that Yeshua is speaking Hebrew, so if we are going to understand His vocabulary, we will have to look at the words in Hebrew, not Greek. What we discover is that the Greek word aphesis (allow) is usually the Hebrew word nuach. It means “to rest or settle down.” This word is the root of names like Noah who brought “rest” to the world (not in the way people expected, of course). Nuach is applied to cases where movement has ceased, particularly with a sense of finality. In fact, one of the synonyms for nuach is shabbat (Sabbath means “rest”). This peek into Hebrew changes Yeshua’s meaning. Suddenly we notice that His comment is really a pun. With wry humor, He uses a verb about final resting to comment on the dead.
Of course, the impact of His statement is the contrast between the kingdom of God and the “rest” of the dead. Those who bury the dead pay their respects to eternal rest, but those who proclaim the kingdom pay their respects to eternal life. Both actions occur right here, in this world. The contrast between death and life is not postponed until we reach the other side of the grave. Proclaiming the kingdom is not an invitation to spiritual insurance. It is a declaration of the presence of life even here, among those who are dying. The sad comment on humanity in this verse is this: God’s life is kingdom participation right now. Like wheat and tares, this life is scattered among those who are prisoners of the grave. Wherever the kingdom breaks forth, rest is converted from the grave to the Sabbath. And Sabbath rest is a part of this world – and the next.
Give rest to those who bury the ones who have finally rested, but as for you, go and proclaim that life is everywhere God’s kingdom prevails.
Topical Index: rest, kingdom, shabbat, nuach, aphesis, Luke 9:60
I have always contended that Jesus had a great sense of humor. The trouble for me is that it is hard to see in the English translation of the Greek. Since I know not Hebrew or Greek, I am dependent upon others to give me the information. There are not very many that are able to do that. Come, Holy Spirit, and instruct me.
Hi Roy,
Actually, I think in context the scene is pretty funny in English.
It makes me think of one of the opening scenes in Enter the Dragon, where Bruce Lee raises his hand to instruct his disciple saying: “like a finger pointing to the moon.”
When his disciple looks up to the beautiful full moon above the Hong Kong horizon, Bruce Lee smacks him in the head, saying: “never take you eye off your opponent.”
Same message IMO 🙂
Luk 9:59 And He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.”
Luk 9:60 But He said to him, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.”
that’s funny!- thanx Michael.. I have no doubt our Father has a great sense of humor. We are made in His image and we love to laugh and to “party down.” May Abba’s peace be yours today-
brother Roy- you are far from being alone in your need to be instructed! We (all) are ignorant, just in different areas! This is why we have been instructed to “forsake not the assembling of yourselves.” We (all) dear brother need one another. I don’t know “presactly” (it’s a made-up nonsense word) how many “one-another’s” are listed in our Basic-Instructions-Before-Leaving-Earth, but it’s a bunch!
We absolutely are designed to live in community. “Life together!” Each (and every) one of us has a part to play- including “moi!” We provide the sails and G-d provides the wind. Every morning I “show up” and ask my Father- “Here am I”, Lord- “what will you have me to do today?” He said- “ask, and you will receive”. Need instruction? Ask. Need help? Ask. Need love? Ask. Grace meets need. It has been said- “our extremity is His opportunity.” -It is G-d that worketh in us, both to will and to do of His good pleasure. Just a “head’s up” though- this will not necessarily be a “pain-free” ride! Sometimes the strength is in the struggle.
G-d knows our hearts and He knows our individual needs. This website for me is a gift from above. I love the words of YHWH but I need further instruction. I’m hungry and thirsty for His words. Do I have a need? Yes, Abba-“feed me.” “Open thy mouth wide and I will fill it” (Psalm 81.10) -Remember His words (to do them).
I’m one of those people who rarely catches jokes and puns. They have to be explained to me. I don’t get this one as well. Would someone please explain it to me.
Hi Robin,
What’s funny to me is how high Jesus “raises the bar” or how far “out of the box” Jesus is thinking.
Seems to me that Jesus is saying to his follower; “if you want to follow me, you must be willing to let go of everything in this world; and your father is already dead, so let’s started on our job right now… working in the Kingdom.
This is serious business, because Jesus has enemies in the Hebrew hierarchy and the Romans are crucifying people for any kind of overt disobedience.
Because this path is a holy war, Jesus must prepare his new recruit as quickly as possible.
So to communicate his message, Jesus speaks the cold, hard, truth.
But by saying “Allow the dead to bury their own dead” Jesus uses “nonsense” to convey his meaning.
For me it has a somewhat shocking effect that makes me laugh.
I am always amazed to learn that something I was taught in Church actually means something entirely different. It is christianities (deliberately not capitalized since I have come to see it as just another religion) insistence on death, and life after death, as being the ultimate thing in life that turns out to be so cold and harsh. They do make Yeshua seem to be like they are. I am so glad to be learning that I was grafted into the root that lives and is focused on living, not dying. Thanks Skip!
Yes and no. Yes, Yeshua said, I am come that you might have life and have it more abundantly (to the top and overflowing). Referred to by some as Canaan living (or the good land of Goshen!), fullness of the Spirit, daily enjoying the blessings and presence of YHWH right here in the nasty now and now -(as opposed to the “sweet bye and bye”). But I have to say in all honesty and from the bottom of my stony heart- I am looking forward to the other side of the final door in this life- the one marked “exit.” My friend, G-d made a mighty fine world here and he did an excellent job in six days. Did a pretty nice job on Eve as well. But I’m just gonna say this sin-infested world with the creation groaning for the return of Yeshua (an interesting subject I hope we cover one day) just does not have the appeal for me that it once carried. Maybe because of the “time of life” I am entering into (geezerhood), but thoughts of heaven just make my day. And dear brother don’t go thinkin’ or sayin’ heaven is just a figment of my imagination (hell either for that matter), because you would sure mess up by sayin’ so. Jesus had a lot to say about these “imaginary” places. (Imagine that!)
Brother Carl … shalom!
I hear you loud and clear … but why can’t we simply receive the best of both since Yeshua has offered it all to us!
I do not begrudge anyone who looks with joy towards the promises of the incorruptible …. yet at the same time I think we also need to live in accordance with our Master’s instructions and worry not about tomorrow while we have today!
And despite all the dying and corruption around us … is not life in tHis creation precious? One more day to try and be the human He wants me to be so that others may also become more human for His glory and honor …. this is my prayer and goal.
As far as “geezerhood” …. use your experiences, praising heart and wisdom to spread the kingdom (here and now) …. sounds to me brother like you are in your absolute prime!
Be blessed abundantly! 🙂