Texts in Conversation
Matthew 8 depicts a disciple delaying commitment by appealing to the duty of burying a parent, a responsibility based on Jewish tradition. Tobit also follows this tradition, instructing a son to ensure proper burial for his parents as an act of honor.
Share:
2500 BCE
1000+ CE
Tobit 4:3
Deuterocanon
1 In that day Tobit remembered the money which he had left in trust with Gabael in Rages of Media, 2 and he said in his heart, Behold, I have asked for death. Why do I not call my son Tobias and show him concerning this money before I die? 3 And he called Tobias his son and he came to him and he said to him, Bury me well, and honour your mother; and do not forsake her all the days of her life, and do that which is pleasing before her, and do not grieve her spirit in any matter. 4 Remember her, child, that she has experienced many dangers for you in her womb; and when she is dead, bury her by me in one grave. 5 My child, be mindful of the Lord all your days, and do not let your will be set to sin and to transgress his commandments: do acts of righteousness all the days of your life, and do not walk in the ways of unrighteousness.
Date: 225–175 BCE (based on scholarly estimates)
Matthew 8:21
New Testament
19 Then an expert in the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20 Jesus said to him, “Foxes have dens, and the birds in the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” 21 Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 22 But Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” 23 As he got into the boat, his disciples followed him.
Date: 70–90 CE (based on scholarly estimates)
Search:
Notes and References
"... If the scribe was too quick in promising, this 'disciple' was too slow in performing (v.21). Palestinian piety, basing itself on the fifth commandment (Exodus 20:12; compare Deuteronomy 27:16), expected sons to attend to the burial of their parents (compare Tobit 4:3; 14:10-11; m. Berakoth 3:1; compare Genesis 25:9; 35:29; 50:13). Jesus' reply used paradoxical language as in 16:25 ..."
Frank Ely Gaebelein, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Matthew, Mark, Luke (Pickering & Inglis, 1984), 208.
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
Your Feedback:
Leave a Comment
Anonymous comments are welcome. All comments are subject to moderation.
User Comments
,