Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Matthew 8:21

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

But a certain other one, we read, said unto Him, "Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father." Didst thou mark the difference? how one impudently saith, "I will follow Thee whithersoever Thou goest;" but this other, although asking a thing of sacred duty, saith, "Suffer me." Yet He suffered him not, but saith, "Let the dead bury their dead, but do thou follow me." For in every case He had regard to the intention. And wherefore did He not suffer him? one may ask. …

Homily on the Gospel of Matthew 27 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

"And another of His disciples said unto Him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said unto him, Follow Me; and let the dead bury their dead." After one has given himself to God, he ought not to turn back to the things of this life. Indeed one must honor one's parents; but God first. …

Commentary on Matthew ↗

Western Saints

Jerome

And another of his disciples said to him: Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father. What is the similarity between a scribe and a disciple? The former calls him master, the latter confesses him Lord. The former desires to go and bury his father due to an opportunity for piety; the latter promises to follow him wherever, not seeking a master, but seeking profit from the master.

Commentary on Matthew ↗

Hilary of Poitiers

The name disciples is not to be supposed to be confined to the twelve Apostles; for we read of many disciples besides the twelve. The disciple does not ask whether he shall follow Him; for he already believed that he ought to follow, but prays to be suffered first to bury his father.

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗

Thomas Aquinas

He continues, Another of the disciples said to him. The first intruded himself, but this one excuses himself. The reproval of this one is indicated, when he says, Jesus said to him, "Follow me..." Lord, let me first go and bury my father. There is a great difference between this one and the other. He calls him Lord, the other called him Master. The first revealed deceit, the other piety because of the commandment to honor one's father; hence he begged for a delay. Something similar is found in 1 Kings (19:20) concerning Elijah.

Commentary on Matthew ↗