Luke 9 62

Luke 9:62 kjv

And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Luke 9:62 nkjv

But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

Luke 9:62 niv

Jesus replied, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."

Luke 9:62 esv

Jesus said to him, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."

Luke 9:62 nlt

But Jesus told him, "Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God."

Luke 9 verses

Luke 9 62 Meaning

Luke 9:62 conveys that those who commit to following Jesus and His kingdom must do so with unwavering, exclusive, and forward-focused devotion. Any hesitation, longing for their former life, or prioritizing earthly attachments over the demands of discipleship renders them unsuitable and unqualified for serving and participating in God's divine purpose and spiritual realm.

Luke 9 62 Context

Luke 9:62 stands as a crucial concluding statement following three challenging encounters Jesus has with would-be disciples, each illustrating different forms of reluctance or divided loyalty. Before these encounters, Jesus had "set his face to go to Jerusalem" (Lk 9:51), signaling His determined path towards the cross and the culmination of His earthly ministry. This steadfast resolve contrasts sharply with the wavering commitments of those who sought to follow Him but still prioritized earthly responsibilities or attachments.

The first individual offers to follow but is met with Jesus' stark warning about homelessness (Lk 9:57-58). The second is called by Jesus but wishes to bury his father first, prompting Jesus' famous "Let the dead bury their own dead" (Lk 9:59-60). The third agrees to follow but wants to bid farewell to his family, leading directly to this decisive proverb about the plowman. Each scenario reveals a deep-seated struggle between radical commitment to the Kingdom and conventional societal or familial obligations. The verse underscores that discipleship to Jesus demands an unqualified, immediate, and focused devotion, putting the call of the Kingdom above all else.

Luke 9 62 Word analysis

• No one who: (οὐδείς – oudeis) An absolute, universal negative. This indicates there are no exceptions to the following condition. The principle applies to any person who attempts this action.

• puts a hand to the plow: (ἐπιβαλὼν τὴν χεῖρα ἐπ’ ἄροτρον – epibalōn tēn cheira ep' arotron)

  • epibalōn (ἐπιβαλὼν): "having put", "having laid upon." It signifies a deliberate and decisive act, indicating an active engagement or the commencement of a task. It implies commitment to an undertaking.
  • tēn cheira (τὴν χεῖρα): "the hand." Symbolic of one's agency, effort, and active involvement.
  • ep’ arotron (ἐπ’ ἄροτρον): "on the plow." The plow (ἄροτρον – arotron) was an essential agricultural tool requiring precision. In ancient times, plowing straight furrows required intense focus on a fixed point ahead, with no distraction. This phrase metaphorically represents the initial commitment and engagement in the work of the Kingdom of God.

• and looks back: (καὶ βλέπων εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω – kai blepōn eis ta opisō)

  • blepōn (βλέπων): "looking," a present participle, indicating a continuous or habitual action, not just a momentary glance.
  • eis ta opisō (εἰς τὰ ὀπίσω): "into the things behind" or "backwards." This signifies longing for or focusing on one's former life, past attachments, old priorities, or a desire to return to them. This action is contrary to the single-minded focus required for plowing and for the Kingdom's work. It reflects a divided heart.

• is fit: (εὔθετός ἐστιν – euthetos estin)

  • euthetos (εὔθετος): "well-placed," "suitable," "proper," "serviceable," "apt," "qualified." It denotes spiritual suitability and operational effectiveness for the task at hand. It's about competency and spiritual alignment with the divine purpose.
  • estin (ἐστιν): "is." Simple present tense, a statement of enduring fact.

• for the kingdom of God: (τῇ βασιλείᾳ τοῦ Θεοῦ – tē basileia tou Theou) The ultimate spiritual domain, reign, and rule of God. This is the realm one desires to serve, belong to, and advance. Fitness is not just for entrance, but for active participation and advancement of God's will.

• Group of words analysis:

  • "puts a hand to the plow and looks back": This juxtaposition creates a powerful visual of contradictory actions. The initial commitment ("puts a hand to the plow") is nullified or rendered ineffective by the subsequent wavering ("looks back"). A plowman looking back produces crooked furrows, making the work useless. Similarly, a disciple with a divided heart is unproductive for God's Kingdom.
  • "is fit for the kingdom of God": This phrase clarifies the purpose and implication. The "fitness" is specifically for the dynamic reality of God's reign—both its present spiritual demands and its future eschatological fulfillment. It implies spiritual competency and readiness to engage in the King's service. Those who look back prove themselves unfit to effectively participate or serve in such a kingdom, not merely unfit for entrance but for service within it.

Luke 9 62 Bonus section

This verse implicitly addresses the theme of finality and decisiveness in discipleship. Jesus is not calling for a probationary period of following Him, but for a conclusive break with the old life. There's a "point of no return" emphasized by the analogy, signifying that once one commits to God's service, turning back spiritually renders that commitment ineffective and oneself spiritually unsuitable for the task at hand. It highlights the eschatological urgency of the Kingdom: its demands are immediate and absolute because God's reign is breaking in now, requiring full attention from those who would be its instruments. It is a severe warning against superficiality or half-heartedness in faith, indicating that the path of true discipleship is one of complete surrender and unrelenting progress. The suitability for the Kingdom of God is thus directly tied to one's present and ongoing dedication and not just an initial conversion.

Luke 9 62 Commentary

Luke 9:62 is a profound and unyielding statement about the exclusive demands of discipleship to Jesus and His Kingdom. The imagery of the plowman underscores the necessity of undivided attention and singular purpose. Plowing demands absolute forward focus; even a brief look back would result in a crooked, wasted furrow. Similarly, Christian discipleship requires an unreserved, forward-looking commitment without longing for former lives, attachments, or worldly comforts. The phrase "is fit" (εὔθετος) indicates more than just permission to enter the Kingdom; it signifies one's qualification and suitability for actively serving within its dynamic purpose. A heart that is divided, still gazing at the past or hesitating to fully embrace the call of Christ, demonstrates a lack of the necessary focus and dedication required for the urgent work of God's Kingdom. This is a call for radical resolve, immediate obedience, and persevering steadfastness in following Jesus, valuing His reign above all else. There can be no retreat or secondary allegiances for those called to labor for the Lord.

• Practical usage example:
  • A believer who has decided to dedicate more time to ministry, but constantly misses prayer meetings or service opportunities due to re-engaging with old, time-consuming hobbies or social circles, needs to remember this verse. Their commitment to the "plow" (ministry) is compromised by "looking back" at their old life.
  • Someone who commits to radical obedience in Christ (e.g., selling possessions for charity or leaving a lucrative but compromising career for ministry) but secretly longs for the comforts and prestige of their past. This longing hinders their true spiritual effectiveness.