What does “let the dead bury the dead” mean?

“Let the dead bury the dead” is a phrase that appears in the Bible in the book of Matthew, specifically in Matthew 8:22, which says: “But Jesus said to him, ‘Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.'” This verse is part of a larger passage in which Jesus is interacting with a man who wants to follow Him, but who is also hesitant to do so because he wants to first go and bury his father.

The phrase “let the dead bury the dead” is often interpreted as a call to prioritize following Jesus and serving God above all else, even above our own family and personal obligations. It is an invitation to put our faith in Jesus above all other commitments and priorities, and to be willing to let go of anything that stands in the way of our relationship with Him.

This is a challenging and radical call to follow Jesus, as it requires a high level of commitment and devotion to Him. It is not an invitation to neglect or dishonor our families or our responsibilities, but rather a call to place Jesus and His will above all else, and to trust that He will provide for us and take care of our needs as we follow Him.

It is worth noting that the phrase “let the dead bury the dead” should be understood in the context of the larger passage in which it appears, and in the broader context of the teachings of Jesus and the Bible as a whole. In this passage, Jesus is not telling the man to literally neglect his responsibilities or to ignore the needs of his family, but rather He is inviting him to follow Him and to prioritize His calling above all else.

Physical vs. Spiritual

One way to understand the phrase “let the dead bury the dead” is to consider the contrast between the physical and the spiritual. In this passage, Jesus is inviting the man to leave behind his physical responsibilities and obligations, and to follow Him spiritually. This does not mean that the man should literally abandon his responsibilities or his family, but rather that he should prioritize his spiritual relationship with Jesus above all else.

Temporal vs. Eternal

Another way to understand the phrase “let the dead bury the dead” is to consider the contrast between the temporal and the eternal. In this passage, Jesus is inviting the man to focus on the things that are eternal, rather than the things that are temporary or passing away. This does not mean that the man should ignore the needs of his family or his responsibilities in the present, but rather that he should keep in mind the bigger picture and the eternal perspective, and prioritize the things that will have lasting value.

It is also worth considering the broader context of Jesus’ teachings and the message of the Bible as a whole. Throughout the Bible, Jesus and other biblical figures call believers to follow Him and to put their faith in Him above all else. This call to follow Jesus is not meant to be a burden or a hardship, but rather a source of joy and fulfillment. In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus says: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” This passage suggests that following Jesus and putting our faith in Him can bring rest and peace to our lives, and that it is not meant to be a burden or a hardship.

In Conclusion

In conclusion, the phrase “let the dead bury the dead” means to prioritize following Jesus and serving God above all else, even above our own family and personal obligations. It is a call to put our faith in Jesus above all other commitments and priorities, and to be willing to let go of anything that stands in the way of our relationship with Him. It should be understood in the context of the larger passage in which it appears, as well as in the broader context of the teachings of Jesus and the Bible as a whole. This call to follow Jesus is not meant to be a burden or a hardship, but rather a source of joy and fulfillment, and a way to find rest and peace in our lives.