Luke 9:62 — Community Reflections

LUKE 9:62 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

“And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Jesus replied, no one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God — the plowing metaphor communicates that backward-looking discipleship is inherently self-defeating: a farmer who looks back while plowing produces crooked furrows. No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back: the forward orientation of discipleship is absolute. The kingdom's service requires the undivided attention that only comes with complete forward commitment.

Church Fathers on Luke 9:62

Although the Almighty Lord is bountiful, He does not grant to every one absolutely and indiscriminately heavenly and divine gifts, but to those only who are worthy to receive them, who free themselves and their souls from the stains of wickedness. And this we are taught by the force of the angelic words, And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said to him, Lord, I will follow you. First indeed there is much tardiness implied in the manner of his…
Cyril of Alexandria · 5th century

He dared also to match himself with the incomprehensible power of the Savior, saying, I will follow you wherever you go; for to follow the Savior simply to hear His teaching is possible to human nature, as it directs itself towards men, but it is not possible to go with Him wherever He is; for He is incomprehensible, and is not confined by place.
ATHAN ·

For having seen our Lord drawing much people to Him, he thought that he received reward from them, and that if he followed our Lord, he might obtain money.
Theophylact · 11th century

Read all 22 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain

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