Expert: Edward Bode - 3/23/2007

Question
Hello Mr. Edward!
Jesus said:"Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather." (Luke 37)and "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead." (Matthew 8:22)

As for the first one I'm not quite sure what he meant by saying this. As for the second one I guess he tried to say that you are alive, because you follow me, so do not worry about the dead ones, but run your own life as good as possible, and one day you'll meet them on the other side. That's my interpretation. What do you think about these two, what do they mean according to you? Thank You!


Answer
Lk 17:37 [see also Mt24:27] shows Jesus' impatience by a saying that means either: [1] the birds of prey will show up where the carion is; or [2] the carrion will be detected by the birds.  Probably [1] makes better sense to apply to the inevitable revelation of the Son of Man.
Mt 8:28 -- some take the dead to mean "spiritually dead"; others see the proverb referring to cut one's self off from the past.  Either way, the saying emphasizes the primary importance of following Jesus as his disciple.
Such are my thoughts on the two passages.
Best wishes again, Lucas.