What does the scribe at the Sea of Galilee convey with his willingness to follow Jesus wherever he goes?
This scribe at the Sea of Galilee seems genuinely humble, and willing to follow Jesus wherever he goes, giving himself to Jesus as his disciple, following him everywhere to learn his teachings.
The man’s intentions are genuine, and he is willing to follow Jesus to the point of becoming one of his disciples who follows him on all his journeys.1 This should not be understood as a reference to entering the kingdom of heaven (for which a literal journey with Jesus would not be required), but rather as a willingness to become a member of Jesus’ circle of most trusted disciples who almost always accompanied him on his travels. He approaches Jesus like a Jewish student would approach his rabbi, yet he does so as a scribe! At the time it was common for students to follow their teachers everywhere they went in order to be constantly exposed to their teachings regarding the law.2
This theologian expresses a willingness to follow Jesus blindly, regardless of where he may go. It is likely that his open expression of his willingness to follow Jesus is intended to demonstrate that he has high expectations. Who knows what can happen? He will dedicate his life to supporting the Master in pursuing his chief end.3
19 And a scribe came up and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”