Lucas 9
A.T. Robertson · Citado em PreceptAustin
Lucas 9
Robertson says they gave an account means "to carry a narrative through to the end. Jesus listened to it all." Mk 6:30+ adds the apostles "reported to Him all that they had done and taught.(cf "went out and preached" - Mk 6:12+) Luke (and Mk 6:30+) calls them apostles which describes them as men through whom Jesus Christ Himself was accomplishing His work on earth and who served as His official ambassadors, commissioned by Him. William
Lucas 9
Robertson adds "to bend or bow down. Many compounds as in English decline, incline, recline, clinic (klinē, bed), etc. Luke alone in the N.T. uses it intransitively as here. The sun was turning down towards setting." Late in the afternoon, around sunset, was when the main meal was eaten. John tells us the time of year was in the Spring writing "Now the Passover (held in month of Nisan), the feast of the Jews, was near." (Jn 6:4) The twelve came - Notice how Luke switches from Twelve (Lk 9:1) to apostles (Lk 9:10) and again to Twelve (Lk 9:12) indicates that he considered these terms to be interchangeable. Send the crowd away, that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside and find lodging (kataluo) and get (heurisko) something to eat (episitismos); for here we are in a desolate (eremos) place - Send is apoluo (dismiss, send away), a command in the aorist imperative (Do it now! Do not delay!) Think about the hubris to issue a command like this to Jesus! Aren't we so often just like the disciples? Instead of being others oriented, we are so easily inconvenienced with our "me-my-mine" mindset! (cf Paul's exhortation to manifest unselfish Christ-like behavior toward others (Read Php 2:3-5+). Holman New Testament Commentary - The Twelve had not yet comprehended what Jesus was about. Jesus saw the needs of the crowd, had compassion, and met the need. In contrast, the disciples saw the need and wanted to send them away so the crowd could provide for themselves. (See Holman New Testament Commentary) Warren
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Robertson on food - Food (brōmata), means eaten pieces from bibrōskō, to eat, somewhat like our "edibles" or vernacular "eats." Brian Bell - Christ can take our little and make it much. [Moses’ stick. David’s rock. Elijah’s mantle/cloak. Widows jar/oil. Samson’s donkey jawbone. A lil lad’s lunch... Your monthly missionary support check. Your prayer. Your individual tithe. Your prep time for your SS class] Our means, His power. Charles Spurgeon aptly declared "He it was who thought of the way of feeding them, it was a design invented and originated by himself. His followers had looked at their little store of bread and fish and given up the task as hopeless; but Jesus, altogether unembarrassed, and in no perplexity, had already considered how he would banquet the thousands and make the fainting sing for joy. The Lord of Hosts needed no entreaty to become the host of hosts of hungry men." Luke 9:14 (For there were about five thousand men.) And He said to His disciples, "Have them sit down to eat in groups of about fifty each." KJV For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company. Make Mark 6:39,40; 8:6; 1 Corinthians 14:40 Luke 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Luke 9:10-17 - Steven Cole Luke 9:12-17 Divine Compassion in Common Grace - John MacArthur AN IMPOSSIBILITY WILL BECOME A HIM-POSSIBILITY! For there were about five thousand men - The Greek word for men is andres which describes adult males. Matthew adds "There were about five thousand men who ate, besides women and children. (Mt. 14:21+) With the women and children the number would be up to 20,000 mouths to feed. THOUGHT - This number of mouths clearly emphasizes it would be humanly impossible to feed this many. But God specializes in stepping into impossible circumstances, for as Jeremiah 32:17+ says "‘Ah Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You." What "impossible" situation are you dealing with today? Remember whatever is our impossible is always potentially Him-possible! He does not always intervene, but He always can intervene. If He chooses not to provide miraculously, that is His will which is good and acceptable and perfect! Have them sit down (aorist imperative) to eat in groups of about fifty each - Can you picture the disciple's stunned looks at Jesus' command? They must have been looking at each other wondering if He had lost His mind. Their reaction recalls a modern ad slogan "Where's the beef?" (again forgetting all of the other miracles they had already seen Him perform! Slow learners, just like most of us!) Mark adds "And He commanded them all to sit down by groups on the green grass. (SO IT WAS DESOLATE BUT NOT DESERT) They sat down in groups of hundreds and of fifties." (Mk 6:39-40, cf Mk 8:6) Mark's version recalls the order of the Mosaic camp in the desert (e.g., Ex 18:21). Luke 9:15 They did so, and had them all sit down. KJV And they did so, and made them all sit down Luke 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Luke 9:10-17 - Steven Cole Luke 9:12-17 Divine Compassion in Common Grace - John MacArthur They did so - The NAS does not translate the conjunctive "kai" which means "and" a word that serves to link Jesus command and their action - They responded to His instructions, even though at this time they clearly did not see how it would work out. THOUGHT - This is a great lesson. We are often too hard on the disciples, for here we see they do obey which reflects at least a modicum of trust in their Lord. What if they had not obeyed? Would they have missed this miracle? Certainly that is possible. One wonders how often in our lives, we fail to obey because of stubborn unbelief and thereby forfeit seeing an even greater moving of the Lord's hand in our life or our circumstances? Another point to make is that obedience often precedes understanding. Jesus said "“If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself." (John 7:17) Had them all sit down - Not necessarily reclining as was often the case at oriental banquets. This was not exactly a "banquet" but more like a picnic. Mark 6:40+ says "They sat down in groups of hundreds and of fifties. "What a feast this was! Christ for the Master of the feast; apostles for butlers; thousands for numbers; and miracles for supplies!” (Spurgeon) Jesus is the Good Shepherd and His command reminds us of Psalm 23:2-3+ - The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Luke 9:16 Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed them, and broke them, and kept giving them to the disciples to set before the people. KJV Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude. looking Ps 121:1,2; Mt 14:19; Mk 7:34 he blessed Lk 22:19; 24:30; Matthew 15:36; John 6:11,23; Acts 27:35; Romans 14:6; 1 Corinthians 10:30; 1 Corinthians 11:24; 1 Timothy 4:4,5 Luke 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Luke 9:10-17 - Steven Cole Luke 9:12-17 Divine Compassion in Common Grace - John MacArthur Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed (eulogeo) them (NET - gave thanks) - To bless or eulogize someone was to express gratitude for them. Jesus was doing what every Jewish father did at a meal. And what is Jesus showing His disciples (and us)? He is showing that even He as the Son of Man looked to His Father to meet needs, and we should follow His example. Jesus is acknowledging God as the source of all provision. This description is similar to the table fellowship of the Last Supper (Lk 22:19 - eucharisteo) and Jesus' meal with some of the disciples after His resurrection (Lk 24:30 - eulogeo). McNeil - In working for God, first look to Heaven. It is a grand plan. Over and over again our Lord Jesus Christ looked to Heaven and said, “Father.” Let us imitate Him; although standing on the earth, let us have our conversation in Heaven. Before you go out, if you would feed the world, if you would be a blessing in the midst of spiritual dearth and famine, lift up your head to Heaven. Then your very face will shine, your very garments will smell of myrrh and aloes and cassia out of the ivory palaces where you have been with your God and Saviour. There will be stamped upon you the dignity and power of the service of the Most High God. Cleon Rogers - In Judaism it was a stringent rule that nothing should be eaten without thanking God before and after the meal (Borrow The New Linguistic and Exegetical Key to the Greek New Testament) Bob Utley on looking up toward heaven - The common physical position for Jewish prayer was standing with the arms and head raised and eyes open. Jesus was showing that the source of His authority was the heavenly Father. Lane - “Jesus faithfully followed the accepted form: he took the bread in his hands, pronounced the blessing, broke the bread into pieces and distributed it. The only deviation from normal practice was that while praying Jesus looked toward heaven rather than downward, as prescribed.” (NICNT-Mark) And broke them, and kept giving them to the disciples to set before the people - Kept giving is in the imperfect tense, over and over and over again! This describes the miracle of creating bread and fish out of nothing much like the Creation of the universe. THOUGHT - Jesus provided extravagantly, yet simply. As long as He was making food miraculously, He could have provided steak and lobster and any number of other great things. But He simply gave people bread and fish. When Jesus provides, don’t be surprised if He provides simply. The assurance that Jesus can provide—even miraculously—for all of our needs should be precious to us; it was to the earliest Christians. On the walls of the catacombs, and other places of early Christian art, loaves and fishes are common pictures.(Guzik) Warren
Lucas 9
Robertson says "Surely it is easier to conceive that Jesus wrought two such miracles than to hold that Mark and Matthew have made such a jumble of the whole business." Kophinos - 6x - Matt. 14:20; Matt. 16:9; Mk. 6:43; Mk. 8:19; Lk. 9:17; Jn. 6:13. Twice in Septuagint - Jdg 6:19, Ps 81:6. Gathered fragments remind us that: Another Day of Need Will Surely Come The Blessings of God Should Not Be Wasted Grateful Hearts Make Full Use of God’s Blessings (John Mayshack) Bob
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Robertson says "It was just like the professional scribes to take keen interest in the failure of the nine disciples to cure this poor boy. They gleefully nagged and quizzed them. Jesus and the three find them at it when they arrive in the plain. The sudden and opportune appearance of Jesus in the midst of the dispute when no one was looking for him turned all eyes to him. He would not fail, however the disciples might do so. The people were awed for the moment and then running began to welcome him (protrechontes ēspazonto). Present participle and imperfect middle indicative."
Lucas 9
Robertson notes (commenting on Mark 9:22) "Jesus had asked (Mark 9:21) the history of the case like a modern physician. The father gave it and added further pathetic details about the fire and the water. The failure of the disciples had not wholly destroyed his faith in the power of Jesus, though the conditional form (first class, assuming it to be true) does suggest doubt whether the boy can be cured at all. It was a chronic and desperate case of epilepsy with the demon possession added." Note that in Mark 9:22 the word help, is a command in aorist imperative (Do this now! Don't delay!) which is the verb boetheo (from boé = a cry, exclamation + théō = to run) which means to run on hearing a cry, to give assistance. Faith is essential to access the power of God...
Lucas 9
Robertson has an interesting note - As a precaution since he was going to Jerusalem through Samaria. The Samaritans did not object when people went north from Jerusalem through their country. He was repudiating Mount Gerizim by going by it to Jerusalem. This was an unusual precaution by Jesus and we do not know who the messengers (angels) were. Leon Morris these messengers "went on ahead to prepare lodgings for the little band. A group of a dozen or so would strain the resources of a small village if they arrived unexpectedly." (Borrow The Gospel According to St. Luke: An Introduction and Commentary) Robert Stein - Only Luke, of the Synoptic writers, referred to Jesus’ ministry to the Samaritans (Cf. Luke 10:25–37; 17:11–19; Acts 1:8; 8:1, 4–25; 9:31; 15:3. Note, however, John 4:4–42.). A journey through Samaria would normally take about three days. (See Luke: An Exegetical and Theological Exposition) Mattoon - There was great hatred between the Jews and Samaritans. In fact, the animosity was so intense that many Jews would actually go out of their way to NOT travel through the central region of Samaria which was between the Galilee region in the north and the region of Judea in the south. What the Jews would do, is cross the Jordan River and travel on the other side of the river until they would pass Samaria, and then they would cross back over the river. Jesus did not hold this prejudice in His heart toward these people and checked into getting lodging there. In fact, when He did this, the Lord was extending a hand of friendship to people who were considered enemies. In this case, not only was hospitality refused, but the offer of friendship was spurned. (Treasures from the Scripture) Hendriksen on Samaritans (see Wikipedia article) - There had long been a feud between the Jews and the Samaritans, a mixed race (2 Kings 17:24-41). In order to gain an insight into the extent of the bitterness between Jews and Samaritans one should read Josephus, Jewish War II.232-246; Antiquities XX. 118-126. Frequently, as Josephus informs us, Galilean Jews, on their way to Jerusalem to attend a religious festival, would pass through Samaria. So implacable was the resentment of Samaritans toward such Jewish pilgrims that, instead of showing hospitality, they would hinder the travelers in every way, even to the extent of actually murdering some of them. (See Exposition of the Gospel of Luke) John
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Robertson quips this "was reason enough to the churlish Samaritans." Jesus was focused on finishing His mission. Jerusalem of course was the city where His divine mission would be consummated with His Crucifixion, burial, resurrection, ascension and return to Heaven. Leon
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Robertson - Matthew 8:21 omits Christ's "Follow me" (akolouthei moi) and makes this man a volunteer instead of responding to the appeal of Jesus. There is no real opposition, of course. In Matthew's account the man is apologetic as in Luke. Plummer calls him "one of the casual disciples" of whom there are always too many. The scribes knew how to give plausible reasons for not being active disciples. Follow (akoloutheo) Me was the same command Jesus gave to Matthew. - "After that He went out and noticed a tax collector named Levi sitting in the tax booth, and He said to him, “Follow Me.” (Lk 5:27+) And what was his response? "And he left everything behind, and got up and began to follow Him." (Lk 5:28). Jesus is calling not for an occasional following of Himself, but a veritable lifestyle of walking where Jesus walked (cp 1 Jn 2:6+). Yes, this is a call to become His disciple. However, it is not a call issued to just a "select group" of radical believers, but a command Jesus issued to all believers (we are all to be "radical" for Jesus!) because all believers are His disciples. Beware of the teaching that says disciples of Christ are an elite group for that is not what Scripture teaches. Notice the same command and a genuine response with Peter and Andrew... Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. (Mt 4:18-20+) And again notice the same wholehearted response when Jesus called James and John... And going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went away to follow Him. (Mark 1:19-20+) So the description in Luke 9:57-62 which Jesus is giving for a disciple and specifically the cost of being His disciple is not some new teaching but is the "norm" for those who would follow Jesus. Matthew left his lucrative tax collecting trade. Peter and Andrew left their nets, their source of income as fishermen. And James and John left their father to follow Jesus. But - Terms of contrast are always worth pausing to pondering, but this "BUT" is especially significant, because it may well have determined this man's eternal destiny! Remember that "but" is a word which in effect changes the direction of thought and in this crucial case may well have changed the direction of this man's life in time and eternity. When Jesus speaks (your time in the Word, prayer and the urging of the Spirit), be careful that you don't begin your answer to Him with a "but." For example, He says you need to forgive that one who hurt you so deeply this week. And you reply "But Lord, their words cut so deeply and painfully, I could never really forgive them for that because every time I would see them in the future I would be reminded of how they once deeply wounded me with their words! Remember that when Jesus commands us to forgive, His Spirit gives us the supernatural desire and power to enable us to follow through by speaking those words from our heart "I forgive you." (cf Mt 6:12-note, Mt 6:14-15-note) Steven
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Robertson - This paradox occurs so in Matthew 8:22. The explanation is that the spiritually dead can bury the literally dead. For such a quick change in the use of the same words see John 5:21-29 (spiritual resurrection from sin in John 5:21-27, bodily resurrection from the grave, John 5:28-29) and John 11:25-26. The harshness of this proverb to the scribe probably is due to the fact that he was manifestly using his aged father as an excuse for not giving Christ active service. Barclay has some interesting comments - Jesus' words to the second man sound harsh, but they need not be so. In all probability the man's father was not dead, and not even nearly dead. His saying most likely meant, 'I will follow you after my father has died.' The story is told of a very brilliant young Arab who was offered a scholarship to Oxford or Cambridge. His answer was, 'I will take it after I have buried my father.' At the time his father was not much more than forty years of age. The point Jesus was making is that in everything there is a crucial moment; if that moment is missed the thing most likely will never be done at all. The man in the story had stirrings in his heart to get out of his spiritually dead surroundings; if he missed that moment he would never get out. Psychologists tell us that every time we have a fine feeling, and do not act on it, the less likely we are to act on it at all. The emotion becomes a substitute for the action. Take one example—sometimes we feel that we would like to write a letter, perhaps of sympathy, perhaps of thanks, perhaps of congratulations. If we put it off until tomorrow, it will in all likelihood never be written. Jesus urges us to act at once when our hearts are stirred. Jesus' instructions here remind us of similar instructions to the rich young ruler... Luke 18:22+ When Jesus heard this, He said to him, “One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” A T Robertson - The scribe's duty is put sharply (But do thou, su de). Christ called him to preach, and he was using pious phrases about his father as a pretext. Many a preacher has had to face a similar delicate problem of duty to father, mother, brothers, sisters and the call to preach. This was a clear case. Jesus will help any man called to preach to see his duty. Certainly Jesus does not advocate renunciation of family duties on the part of preachers. But (term of contrast) as for you, go and proclaim (diaggello) everywhere the kingdom of God." What does it mean to proclaim the kingdom of God? Clearly this is synonymous with the proclamation of the Gospel (Lk 9:6), for it is only through the believing of the Gospel that one gains entrance into the Kingdom of God (cf Jn 3:3-5+). It is proclaiming the King of that Kingdom and His "royal decree" that He has come to set the captives free. To proclaim the kingdom of God is to proclaim the good news of the King, Christ Jesus. In the last book of Acts (the Christian's handbook for evangelizing the world) Luke records that even in confinement Paul was... And Jesus was going about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people. (Mt 4:23+, Mt 9:35+, Mt 24:14+, Mk 1:15+, Lk 16:16+) Proclaim everywhere (give notice) (1229)(diaggello from diá = through + aggéllo = to tell, declare) means to herald thoroughly, to declare fully or far and wide and so to declare plainly, fully and exactly. The preposition dia conveys the idea of throughout all regions. Thayer - "to carry a message through, announce everywhere, through places, through assemblies of men, etc.; to publish abroad, declare." NET Note on Kingdom of God - The kingdom of God is a major theme of Jesus. It is a realm in which Jesus rules and to which those who trust him belong. See Luke 6:20-note; Luke 11:20-note; Luke 17:20-21-note. Related Resources: What is the kingdom of God? What is the difference between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven? What is the gospel of the kingdom? QUESTION - What did Jesus mean when He said 'Let the dead bury the dead' (Luke 9:60)? ANSWER - Jesus said, “Let the dead bury the dead,” in response to a disciple who wanted to spend time at home before committing himself to the Lord. Jesus said, “‘Follow me.’ But the man replied, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God’” (Luke 9:59–60). This man may have wanted to fulfill the oldest son’s duty to bury the father, to be near the father in order to obtain an inheritance, or to remain near the body of his father for up to one year to rebury the bones, a practice of some Jews at the time. In any event, Jesus’ answer makes clear that this request would have involved putting tradition or the disciple’s own desires ahead of serving Jesus. But who are “the dead” whom Jesus referred to as being the ones to bury their own dead? The word dead is used in this passage in two different senses. It is apparently a paradox and is used very effectively. The Jews used the word dead often to express indifference toward a thing or to express that something has no influence over us. To be dead to the law (Romans 7:4), to be dead to sin (Romans 6:11), means that the law and sin have no influence or control over us. We are free from them and act as though they are not. So people of the world are dead to Christ. They do not see His beauty, nor do they hear His voice or desire to follow Him. Only His “sheep” will do those things (John 10:27). The people of the world are those whom the Savior describes here as the (spiritually) dead who should bury the (physically) dead. Let people, He says, who are not interested in My work, and who are “dead in sin” (Ephesians 2:1), take care of the dead. Your duty is now to follow Me. While Scripture, and Jesus, are clear that we are to honor our parents (Ephesians 6:2), we have to understand that Jesus is to come first, and this would have been especially so in this instance, that is, with a direct command from the Lord. Peter, Andrew, James, John, and Matthew recognized the Lord and followed Him at once (Matthew 4:18–22; 9:9). The thing to which the man who wanted to bury his father was called was of more importance than any earthly consideration, and, for that time, Christ chose to require of the man a very extraordinary sacrifice to show his sincere attachment to Him. As regards the people of the world, nothing is more important than responding to the gospel. This requires that the gospel be preached (Romans 10:14), so once we make the decision to follow Jesus and preach His good news, we must deny dead, worldly pursuits and comforts, and do the Lord’s work. Jesus wants followers, not professors, and those who are spiritually alive will be instruments in the Lord’s hands to call others to new life in Christ.Gotquestions.org? ILLUSTRATION - DON'T THROW IT AWAY - One fine day in 1941, Violet Bailey and her fiance Samuel Booth were strolling through the English countryside, deeply in love and engaged to be married. A diamond engagement ring sparkled on Violet's finger like the rays of the sun that sparkle like thousands of diamonds on the surface of a gentle river. This ring was her most treasured possession. Their romantic bliss, however, was interrupted and suddenly ended. One of them said something that hurt the other. An argument ensued, then escalated. At its worst point, Violet became so angry, she pulled the diamond engagement ring from her finger, drew back her arm, and hurled the treasured possession with all her might into the field like a St. Louis Cardinal outfielder throwing a baseball to home plate. The ring sailed through the air, fell to the ground, and nestled under the grass in such a way that it was impossible to see. Violet and Samuel kissed and made up. Then they walked and walked through that field, hunting for the lost ring. Unfortunately, they never found it. It was a treasure that had become wasted and buried under the rubble of the field. Violet and Samuel went on with life and were married two months later. They had a child and eventually a grandson. Part of their family lore was the story of the lost engagement ring. For over a half a century, Violet and Samuel grew old together, and in 1993 Samuel died. Fifteen years passed, but the ring was not forgotten. One day in 2008, Violet's grandson got an idea. Perhaps he could find his grandmother's ring with a metal detector. He bought one and went to the field where Violet had hurled her treasured possession 67 years earlier. He turned on his metal detector and began to crisscross the field, waving the detector over the grass. After two hours of searching, he found what he was looking for. Later, filled with great joy and pride, he placed the treasured diamond ring into the hand of his astonished grandmother Violet. The diamond ring had finally come home. Beloved, enjoying God's salvation and knowing the Gospel is a treasure that must not be buried or thrown away like this diamond ring. Our fellowship with Christ should not be neglected, wasted, or taken for granted. If we have drifted from God or spiritually cooled, then our responsibility is to diligently search for the Lord in His Word and in prayer. In so doing, we will find Him and regain that love, passion, urgency, and dedication for Jesus that we once had in our heart. You have to want this in your life. If you want to be close to the Lord, then make the choice to get close. - Read Jeremiah 29:13 and Isaiah 55:6-7. (Treasures from the Scripture) Luke 9:61 Another also said, "I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home." KJV And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. but Lk 14:18-20,26; Deuteronomy 33:9; 1 Kings 19:20; Ecclesiastes 9:10; Matthew 10:37,38 Luke 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Luke 9:57-62 - Steven Cole Luke 9:57-62 Barriers to True Discipleship - John MacArthur Luke 9:59-60 What Is the High Cost of Discipleship? - John MacArthur MORE GOOD INTENTIONS (WITH A CAVEAT) Another also said I will follow (akoloutheo) You Lord (kurios) - More good intentions like the first aspirant (Lk 9:57)! But this one even calls Jesus Lord (kurios)! Recall this is what Peter called Jesus when he saw the miraculous catch of fish in Luke 5:8+. But Jesus has already warned that you can call Him Lord, but that is meaningless if you refuse to obey Him! (Lk 6:46+) This man needed to fall down at the feet of Jesus like Peter, but tragically he did not.
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Robertson - This agricultural proverb is as old as Hesiod. Pliny observes that the ploughman who does not bend attentively to his work goes crooked. It has always been the ambition of the ploughman to run a straight furrow. The Palestine fellah had good success at it. Godet - The figure is that of a man who, while engaged in labor, instead of keeping his eye on the furrow which he is drawing, looks behind at some object which attracts his interest. He is only half at work, and half-work only will be the result. (Ed: And in the economics of Jesus' Kingdom it would actually be "zero" work of eternal value - cf Jn 15:5!) Paul like a military general gave Timothy and all other would-be disciples a similar command to be obeyed... Suffer hardship (aorist imperative conveys a sense of urgency, even like a sharp military command - Do this now! Don't delay! It is urgent!) with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that (purpose clause - What purpose? What keeps us from fulfilling our purpose?) he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. (2 Ti 2:3-4-note) See discussion Give Me An Undivided Heart NET Note - Jesus warns that excessive concern for family ties (looks back) will make the kingdom a lesser priority, which is not appropriate for discipleship. The image is graphic, for who can plow straight ahead toward a goal while looking back? Discipleship cannot be double-minded. Putting his hand to the plow and looking back recalls the warning in Hebrews and the tragic example of Demas BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE SHALL LIVE BY FAITH; AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM. (Hebrews 10:38+) for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. (2 Timothy 4:10+) In a different context Jesus gave a warning to not look back and backed it up with an OT example: Luke 17:31 “On that day, the one who is on the housetop and whose goods are in the house must not go down to take them out; and likewise the one who is in the field must not turn back. 32) “Remember Lot’s wife. Stein - The third man’s request was similar to that of Elisha in 1 Kgs 19:19–21. Yet although Elijah granted the young man’s request, Jesus did not. God’s kingdom has come, and the summons to follow Jesus takes precedence over everything else. The old family relationships are part of what one must leave behind to follow him (Luke 5:11, 28). (Luke: An Exegetical and Theological Exposition)