Lucas 5

Lucas 5

Wuest - The word is used with the associative-instrumental case, the idea being “to follow with” another. It implies fellowship, joint-participation, a side-by-side walking with another. Thus it has come to mean, “to join one as a disciple, to cleave steadfastly to one, conform wholly to his example, in living and, if need be, in dying.” Mark 2:14 As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting in the tax booth, and He said to him, "Follow Me!" And he got up and followed Him. Wuest - It means, “to follow one who precedes, to join him as his attendant, to join one as his disciple, to side with his party.” All these things were involved in our Lord’s command. This was more than an invitation. The word is in the imperative mode, issuing a command. It is not, “Would you like to follow Me? I extend this invitation to you.” Here was a King, sovereign in His demands. Levi recognized the imperative tone of our Lord’s voice. This was an effectual call, like the call to salvation. The one called is rendered willing to respond. Levi left his tax collector’s desk in the power of a compulsion which he did not understand. It meant poverty for him, instead of the affluence and luxury to which he had been accustomed. The verb is in the present tense (present imperative), commanding the beginning of an action and its habitual continuance. It is, “Start following Me, and continue as a habit of life to follow Me.” This meant for Levi, that henceforth he would walk the same road that Jesus walked, a road of self-sacrifice, a road of separation, a road of altruism, a road of suffering, a road of holiness. But the command was not merely, “Follow Me.” It was “Follow with Me.” The pronoun is in the associative-instrumental case. The person indicated by the pronoun is the instrument which completes the association between the two individuals. Our Lord did not therefore merely command Levi to become His follower. He welcomed him to a participation in His companionship. And this “with Me” companionship, was not one of an Indian-file nature, one following after another. It was a side by side walk down the same road. And this blessed fellowship is for every believer in the Lord Jesus. Mark 2:15 And it happened that He was reclining at the table in his house, and many tax collectors and sinners were dining with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many of them, and they were following Him. Mark 3:7 Jesus withdrew to the sea with His disciples; and a great multitude from Galilee followed; and also from Judea, Mark 5:24 And He went off with him; and a large crowd was following Him and pressing in on Him. Mark 6:1 Jesus went out from there and came into His hometown; and His disciples followed Him. Mark 8:34 And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. Wuest - Follow Me. The word “follow” is akoloutheō “to take the same road as another does.” It is used with the associative instrumental case. It is, “Let him follow with Me.” The idea is not that of following behind another, but that of accompanying the other person, taking the same road that he takes and fellowshipping with him along that road. The first two imperatives are aorist, giving a summary command to be obeyed at once. The “coming after” and the “taking up” are to be obeyed at once and are to be a once-for-all act. That is, these acts are to be looked upon as a permanent attitude and practice of life. The whole life is to be characterized by an habitual coming after and taking up of the cross. After having once for all given over the life to the Lord, the believer must hence-forward count it ever so given over. He is not his own anymore. He belongs to the Lord. He is the Lord’s property. The word “follow” however, is in the present imperative, which commands the doing of an action and its habitual, moment by moment continuance. The first two imperatives give direction to the life. The last speaks of the actual living of that which has been given direction by two once-for-all acts. Believer's Church Bible Commentary - A follower/disciple is thus defined as one who has taken up a position behind Jesus. The second reference to following uses the verb akoloutheō, a word that implies movement along with (but still behind) Jesus. Thus discipleship (following after Jesus) is defined with three qualifiers, each of which deserves a few comments: • Self-denial does not focus on denying things to ourselves or living as an ascetic. The self is denied as the controlling center. Jesus and his cause are taken up as one’s chief loyalties. There are two options: one lives for self, or one lives for the one who is confessed as the Christ. To do the former is to remain tied to human things; to do the latter is to give allegiance to divine things (Mk 8:33). Indeed, the word for deny (aparneomai) is used only here and with reference to Peter’s denial of Jesus (Mk 14:30–31, 72). In Mark, one either denies self or one denies Christ. That is what the paradoxes in verses Mk 8:35–38 are designed to clarify. • Cross-carrying is loaded with a wealth of associations, especially for later Christian readers who know the outcome of the story and understand a NT theology of the cross. From this perspective, cross-carrying may well allude to such diverse elements as a willingness to suffer (even martyrdom), crucifixion of the flesh (Gal. 5:24), the acceptance of and proclamation of the gospel, a commitment to non-retaliation, peacemaking and reconciliation, freedom from the law, and so on. But in the context of Mark’s narrative (and of the historical Jesus’ teaching around Caesarea Philippi), cross-carrying has a more restricted meaning: willingness to submit to God’s will (and Jesus’ teaching), no matter what the cost (on cross-carrying, see TBC, below; TLC for 14:27–15:15) [The Meaning of Cross-Carrying]. • Accompanying Jesus as he journeys toward Jerusalem involves active identification with Jesus, and acceptance of what he teaches. The disciple who has denied self (ceased to live for oneself) and taken up the cross (submitted to God’s will) is free to follow (keep in step with Jesus as he models and teaches God’s way). All these elements together define what it means to come after Jesus (8:34). Mark 9:38 John said to Him, "Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to prevent him because he was not following us." Mark 10:21 Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, "One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." Wuest - The word “follow” is akoloutheō “to follow with another, to take the same road that another takes.” Jesus walked a road of self-abnegation, of self-sacrifice, of service to others, of separation. To have obeyed the instructions of Jesus, would not have given this young man eternal life. The latter can only be had in answer to personal heart faith in the atoning sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ. But, that obedience would have been the first and the necessary step for this man to take in order to become a disciple (a learner) of Jesus. Taking the same road with Him, would have eventuated in his receiving salvation in answer to his faith in the Lord Jesus as Saviour. That which was keeping him from the latter step, was his love of wealth. The words “take up thy cross,” are not in the best manuscripts. Mark 10:28 Peter began to say to Him, "Behold, we have left everything and followed You." Mark 10:32 They were on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking on ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were fearful. And again He took the twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him, Mark 10:52 And Jesus said to him, "Go; your faith has made you well." Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road. Mark 11:9 Those who went in front and those who followed were shouting: "Hosanna! BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; Mark 14:13 And He sent two of His disciples and said to them, "Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him; Mark 14:54 Peter had followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the officers and warming himself at the fire. Mark 15:41 When He was in Galilee, they used to follow Him and minister to Him; and there were many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem. Luke 5:11 When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him. Luke 5:27 After that He went out and noticed a tax collector named Levi sitting in the tax booth, and He said to him, "Follow Me." Luke 5:28 And he left everything behind, and got up and began to follow Him. Luke 7:9 Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled at him, and turned and said to the crowd that was following Him, "I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith." Luke 9:11 But the crowds were aware of this and followed Him; and welcoming them, He began speaking to them about the kingdom of God and curing those who had need of healing. Luke 9:23 And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. Luke 9:49 John answered and said, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name; and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow along with us." Luke 9:57 As they were going along the road, someone said to Him, "I will follow You wherever You go." Luke 9:59 And He said to another, "Follow Me." But he said, "Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father." Luke 9:61 Another also said, "I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home." 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." Luke 18:28 Peter said, "Behold, we have left our own homes and followed You." Luke 18:43 Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him, glorifying God; and when all the people saw it, they gave praise to God. Luke 22:10 And He said to them, "When you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house that he enters. Luke 22:39 And He came out and proceeded as was His custom to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed Him. Luke 22:54 Having arrested Him, they led Him away and brought Him to the house of the high priest; but Peter was following at a distance. Luke 23:27 And following Him was a large crowd of the people, and of women who were mourning and lamenting Him. John 1:37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.