Matthew 8:22

Let the dead; the spiritually dead.

Bury their dead; the literally dead. Let those who are impenitent sinners without spiritual life bury your father, and do you now what I command you. The omniscient Saviour saw that such a command was necessary to impress upon that disciple the supreme importance of his service, and the necessity of making every earthly feeling and interest subordinate to it. Compare his command to the rich young man in chap. Matthew 19:21. Our obligations to Christ are greater than to father, mother, or any earthly friends; and we should not let our regard for them hinder us from promptly obeying him.