Matthew 8 19

Matthew 8:19 kjv

And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

Matthew 8:19 nkjv

Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, "Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go."

Matthew 8:19 niv

Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go."

Matthew 8:19 esv

And a scribe came up and said to him, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go."

Matthew 8:19 nlt

Then one of the teachers of religious law said to him, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go."

Matthew 8 verses

Matthew 8 19 Meaning

Matthew 8:19 portrays a surprising and eager declaration of intent to follow Jesus, coming from a scribe, a learned authority in Jewish law. The scribe's statement, "Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go," expresses an unqualified and absolute commitment. This verse immediately precedes Jesus' response concerning the harsh realities of His itinerant ministry, setting a critical tone for understanding the genuine and demanding nature of Christian discipleship, which requires more than just outward enthusiasm or a desire for prestige, and often involves personal sacrifice and renunciation of worldly comforts.

Matthew 8 19 Context

Matthew Chapter 8 emphasizes Jesus' supreme authority through a series of miraculous demonstrations. It begins with Jesus cleansing a leper, showing His power over disease and ceremonial impurity. This is immediately followed by the healing of the Centurion's servant from a distance, highlighting Jesus' authority over space and His divine responsiveness to faith, even from a Gentile. Further healings, including Peter's mother-in-law and many demon-possessed individuals, underscore His triumph over sickness and demonic forces. This display of profound power culminates in the calming of a violent storm, revealing His command over creation itself. Against this backdrop of awe-inspiring power and growing fame, various individuals approach Jesus. Scribes were prominent religious scholars and interpreters of the Torah, typically members of the Jewish elite who often clashed with Jesus and challenged His teachings. Therefore, a scribe's voluntary, zealous declaration of unconditional following marks a significant departure from the usual pattern of confrontation and sets the stage for Jesus to articulate the true demands and inherent costs of genuine discipleship, challenging any superficial understanding.

Matthew 8 19 Word analysis

• Then: Signifies a chronological transition, situating this encounter immediately after a period of intense miraculous activity, suggesting it is a direct consequence or next stage of Jesus' ministry.

• a scribe: Greek: grammateus (γραμματεύς). A learned master of Jewish law, a professional copier and interpreter of the Scriptures, and often a legal expert. Scribes were a respected, though often antagonistic, part of the Jewish religious leadership (e.g., Matt 21:15). A scribe initiating an approach to Jesus demonstrates the wide appeal of His ministry.

• came: Indicates a deliberate, volitional movement. The scribe sought out Jesus.

• and said to Him: A direct, personal address, initiating a crucial dialogue.

• Teacher: Greek: Didaskale (Διδάσκαλε). A respectful term commonly used for a rabbi or an authoritative instructor. It acknowledges Jesus' status as a master or one with authority to teach, without necessarily implying recognition of His divine nature.

• I will follow: Greek: akolouthēsō (ἀκολουθήσω). The future active indicative verb denotes a strong, resolute intention. "To follow" in this context is to become a disciple, to adhere to, to accompany, and to live according to the master's teachings and lifestyle.

• You: The direct object of his intended discipleship, showing his personal allegiance to Jesus.

• wherever You go: Greek: hopou ean aperchē (ὅπου ἐὰν ἀπέρχῃ). This adverbial clause expresses absolute, unreserved commitment and total submission to Jesus' chosen path. It suggests an eagerness to embrace an itinerant, unpredictable lifestyle alongside Jesus, without condition or limitation, embodying extreme devotion.

• "Then a scribe came and said to Him,": This phrase emphasizes the unexpected origin of the pledge, from someone usually found among Jesus' critics. It highlights the surprising impact of Jesus' ministry even on entrenched religious figures.

• "'Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.'": This full declaration conveys fervent zeal and what appears to be total submission to Jesus' lead. However, Jesus' subsequent response reveals that while the verbal commitment is grand, the scribe's understanding of the cost and nature of Messiah's calling might be deeply flawed, setting the stage for a lesson on the true demands of discipleship.

Matthew 8 19 Bonus section

This exchange in Matthew 8:19-20 (and its parallel in Luke 9:57-58) is frequently analyzed as a foundational text on the "cost of discipleship." Jesus does not immediately rebuke or reject the scribe but rather clarifies the non-negotiable terms of truly following Him. Unlike His earlier direct calls to specific individuals (e.g., Peter and Andrew), this interaction is initiated by the potential follower, giving Jesus the opportunity to set the standards rather than simply accepting a well-intended but potentially ill-informed offer. The fact that this inquirer is a "scribe" also carries significant weight, as it implies someone with a structured, perhaps privileged, life and intellectual authority. For such an individual to embrace Jesus meant stepping out of their established social order and comfort zone, a step whose true implications they may not have fully weighed. Jesus’ subsequent clarification thus functions as a general principle applicable to all who declare an interest in following Him, teaching that true discipleship means relinquishing self-interest and earthly security in pursuit of the Master's path, regardless of where it leads.

Matthew 8 19 Commentary

Matthew 8:19 captures a moment of fervent declaration from an unlikely prospective disciple. The scribe, a figure often hostile to Jesus, confidently pledges unrestricted allegiance: "Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go." This statement is compelling in its scope and zeal, seeming to exemplify ideal devotion. However, Jesus' immediate response in the following verse (Matt 8:20) reveals that such grand declarations, while seemingly commendable, must be tested against the reality of discipleship's demands. The scribe, perhaps attracted by Jesus' miracles or the potential for a glorious earthly kingdom, likely harbored an incomplete understanding of Jesus' present ministry, which involved personal sacrifice, itinerancy, and lack of worldly comforts. This verse serves as a crucial point to understand that following Christ necessitates more than just verbal commitment or initial enthusiasm; it requires a willingness to surrender personal comfort, security, and preconceived notions, aligning oneself truly with Christ's humble and often demanding path.

• Practical Application: Consider those who express strong interest in faith or service, yet falter when confronted with personal inconvenience, financial sacrifice, or social challenge. This verse warns against superficial commitment, calling for an honest assessment of whether one's heart is truly prepared for the demanding journey of discipleship.