While the disciple who first wanted to go and bury his father before following Jesus, sincerely wanted to follow Jesus on his journeys, he asked permission to first go bury his father who had died, because it was common at the time to bury the dead on the same day that they had passed away (Acts 5:6,Acts 5:10). In Israel it was even seen as a religious duty, more important than even the study of the law itself! Thus, for this man, the burial of his father was a religious duty for which he had the highest reverence. The man’s request must also be seen against the backdrop that Elisha was allowed to first return home to bid his loved ones farewell prior to following Elijah (1 Kings 19:20).
The disciple, like the scribe before him (Matthew 8:19), sincerely desires to follow Jesus on his journeys, yet asks permission to first go bury his father who had died. It was common practice at the time to bury the dead on the same day that they had passed away (Acts 5:6,Acts 5:10). In Israel it was even regarded as a religious duty, to be prioritized above all else, even the study of the law itself! Moreover, helping to bury someone who had no family or loved ones, was regarded to be an important act of charity, for which one could expect great reward from God, both in this life as well as in the next. It is clear, therefore, that for this man the burial of his father was a religious duty for which he had the highest reverence. The man’s request must also be viewed against the backdrop that Elisha was allowed to first return home to bid his loved ones farewell prior to following Elijah (1 Kings 19:20).1
21 Un autre, d'entre les disciples, lui dit: Seigneur, permets-moi d'aller d'abord ensevelir mon père.