I guess my studies have officially moved from the topical to the linear. At any rate, we wrap up the ninth chapter of Luke with three small sayings. In Luke 9:57-62, we find Jesus and those he traveled with in their usual travel mode. They are in 'the way', we are told. It was most likely a large road used to heavy traffic. Let us remind ourselves where Jesus had just been.
This is the timeline of chapter nine: the disciples kick things off when they are sent to surrounding towns to heal. On my own, I placed this occurrence in the city of Tiberius. When the disciples return, Jesus takes them to a desert place belonging to the city of Bethsaida (Julias). Next, the five thousand were fed, after which, Jesus prayed and queried his disciples about who they and the people thought he was. Here was the connection, and my reason, for placing events in and around Tiberius.
Eight days later, specifically, Jesus led three of his disciples up into some hills for the transfiguration. Many agree the location of this was Mount Tabor in southern Galilee. When he came down, the following day, he healed a boy and set his face toward Jerusalem. Between Jerusalem and himself was a village of the Samaritans to which he sent his disciples to secure lodging. They did not receive him.
What was general location of Samaritan occupation? It was an area between the lower Galilee and Jerusalem. A well-traveled road ran between Nazareth and Jerusalem, along which could be found such places as Mount Tabor, Nain, and the village of Sychor. It is in this particular 'way' that we find the three sayings of this study.
On the whole, it seems rather more relaxed than the usual multitude-packed events of Jesus ministry. Interestingly, it appears the author of the text had these three odd sayings of Jesus, but not a lot of information about them. It is as if the author decided to place them here for lack of a better plan. So it turns out that Jesus is casually strolling along the way and speaks to three different individuals while his disciples have gone ahead to make reservations.
Let us look at the three sayings with an eye toward definition. First saying: “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” This is said in response to the claim made by the first individual in verse 57. It might have seemed to Jesus that he was always on the road, that he was ceaselessly dogged by followers who regularly made claims they couldn't possibly keep. He was traveling a long road and perhaps he wanted nothing more at the moment than a place to stop and rest. He had sent disciples ahead for just that reason.
On the other hand, this saying may speak to the larger issue of permanence and dependability. Certain things in this world have a place with all the accouterments. A permanent feature of every fox is its den. You will not find a fox without the concomitant hole. It is certain knowledge that one may depend upon, just as surely as every bird is associated with a nest. Yet, the assertion of the Son of man's homelessness is put forth with equal certainty. The association to non-association may be as permanent and relevant to the Son of man, and by extension, as it is to all sons of men. It may be counted as the mold that type is always cast in.
Second saying: “Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.” This response, found in verse 60, addressed the type who is concerned with things that come to an end. The non-association mold is not an iron shackle. One is never bound to the impermanent matters of death. One may turn and reassociate oneself with life.
Speaking of molds, there seems to be one that is a shackle of sorts. The type who always turns back is obviously cast in the mold of 'no forward progress'. This type is one to take one step forward and two steps back. Imagine if you hired this type for an important job. This type is not up to the task. Jesus' response to any claim made by this type is found in verse 62, “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
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