Matthew 8:19

King James Version (KJV)

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

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

A certain scribe - Though ἑις γραμματευς, One scribe, may be considered as a Hebraism, yet it is probable that the literal construction of it was intended, to show that few of this class came to the Lord Jesus for instruction or salvation.

Master - Rather, teacher, διδασκαλε from διδασκω, I teach, which itself seems to be derived from δεικω, I show, and means the person who shows or points out a particular way or science.

I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest - A man who is not illuminated by the Spirit of God thinks himself capable of any thing: he alone who is divinely taught knows he can do nothing but through Christ strengthening him. Every teacher among the Jews had disciples, and some especially that followed or accompanied them wherever they went, that they might have some person at hand with whom they might converse concerning the Divine law.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

And a certain scribe came … - It is not improbable that this man had seen the miracles of Jesus, and had formed an expectation that by following him he would obtain some considerable worldly advantage. Christ, in reply to his professed purpose to follow him, proclaimed his own poverty, and dashed the hopes of the avaricious scribe. The very foxes and birds, says he, have places of repose and shelter, but the Son of man has no home and no pillow. He is a stranger in his own world - a wanderer and an outcast from the homes of people. Compare John 1:11.

Son of man - This means, evidently, Jesus himself. No title is more frequently given to the Saviour than this, and yet there is much difficulty in explaining it. The word “son” is used in a great variety of significations. See the notes at Matthew 1:1. The name “Son of man” is given to Jesus only three times in the New Testament Acts 7:56; Revelation 1:13; Revelation 14:14, except by himself. When he speaks of himself, this is the most common appellation by which he is known. The phrase “Son of God,” given to Christ, denotes a unique connection with God, John 10:36. The name “Son of man” probably denotes a corresponding unique connection with man. Perhaps the Saviour used it to signify the interest he felt in man; his special love and friendship for him; and his willingness to devote himself to the best interests of the race. It is sometimes, however, used as synonymous with “Messiah,” Matthew 16:28; John 1:34; Acts 8:37; John 12:34.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

One of the scribes was too hasty in promising; he proffers himself to be a close follower of Christ. He seems to be very resolute. Many resolutions for religion are produced by sudden conviction, and taken up without due consideration; these come to nothing. When this scribe offered to follow Christ, one would think he should have been encouraged; one scribe might do more credit and service than twelve fishermen; but Christ saw his heart, and answered to its thoughts, and therein teaches all how to come to Christ. His resolve seems to have been from a worldly, covetous principle; but Christ had not a place to lay his head on, and if he follows him, he must not expect to fare better than he fared. We have reason to think this scribe went away. Another was too slow. Delay in doing is as bad on the one hand, as hastiness in resolving is on the other. He asked leave to attend his father to his grave, and then he would be at Christ's service. This seemed reasonable, yet it was not right. He had not true zeal for the work. Burying the dead, especially a dead father, is a good work, but it is not thy work at this time. If Christ requires our service, affection even for the nearest and dearest relatives, and for things otherwise our duty, must give way. An unwilling mind never wants an excuse. Jesus said to him, Follow me; and, no doubt, power went with this word to him as to others; he did follow Christ, and cleaved to him. The scribe said, I will follow thee; to this man Christ said, Follow me; comparing them together, it shows that we are brought to Christ by the force of his call to us, Ro 9:16.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

19. A certain scribe. [The Privations of Discipleship, Matt. 8:19-22. See Middle Galilean Ministry.] In spite of the great apparent similarity of this passage to one in Luke (see Luke 9:57-62), it is practically certain that two separate and distinct occasions are referred to. Although Matthew does not follow a strictly chronological sequence, he has inserted this account of two men who volunteered to become disciples of Jesus within his account of the crossing of the lake (vs. 18, 23-27). It seems that the only reasonable conclusion is that the two volunteers approached Jesus at the close of the Sermon by the Sea (see on v. 18), as He prepared to cross to the other side of the lake.

The similar account in Luke appears in the record of Jesus’ final departure from Galilee for Jerusalem (see Luke 9:51, 57). It immediately precedes the account of the sending out of the Seventy to the cities and towns of Samaria and Peraea (see chs. 9:62; 10:1) and seems, therefore, to be closely associated with these events. It was in the late autumn of a.d. 30 that Jesus left Galilee for Jerusalem and Peraea (see on ch. 9:51). It should be noted, furthermore, that Jesus replied to Judas in words similar to those recorded in Matt. 8:19, 20, when he volunteered for discipleship during the summer of a.d. 29, several weeks prior to the Sermon by the Sea (see DA 293; 2SP 305, 306; see on Matt. 5:1). It may have been customary with Jesus to warn every volunteer disciple, as well as those whom He summoned personally, of the privations and sacrifices that accompanied discipleship, and that upon various occasions He used words similar to those recorded here.

Many attempts have been made to identify the “scribe” who now came to Jesus, but at best these are no more than useless guesses. Concerning the status of a scribe during the time of Jesus see on Mark 1:22. Being a man of culture, education, and station in life, a scribe would seemingly find the privations of the life of a disciple harder to endure than would fishermen, for example. See on Mark 2:10.

Master. Gr. didaskalos, “teacher” (see on ch. 12:38).

I will follow thee. This scribe was a volunteer, one who, in these words, applied for acceptance as a full-time disciple. Similarly, when Jesus said, “Follow me,” He extended an invitation to full-time discipleship (see on Matt. 4:19; Mark 2:14). Possibly the scribe had been a part-time follower, and had seen and heard enough to create in his heart a longing to be with the Master constantly and to learn of Him. It seems, however, that he was probably a temperamental individual, given to acting on impulse more than from principle, and that he had not fully counted the cost of discipleship (see Luke 14:25-33).

Whithersoever thou goest. Compare also the words of Ruth to Naomi (Ruth 1:16) and of Peter to Christ (Luke 22:33). In the case of the scribe, however, his words probably meant no more than the intention to become a permanent disciple. He lacked the fidelity of Ruth and reflected the fickleness of Peter (see on Mark 3:16). Discipleship calls for steadiness of purpose and patience in the face of difficulty and disappointment (see on Luke 9:62).

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Ellen G. White
The Desire of Ages, 293-4

In happy contrast to Philip's unbelief was the childlike trust of Nathanael. He was a man of intensely earnest nature, one whose faith took hold upon unseen realities. Yet Philip was a student in the school of Christ, and the divine Teacher bore patiently with his unbelief and dullness. When the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the disciples, Philip became a teacher after the divine order. He knew whereof he spoke, and he taught with an assurance that carried conviction to the hearers. DA 293.1

While Jesus was preparing the disciples for their ordination, one who had not been summoned urged his presence among them. It was Judas Iscariot, a man who professed to be a follower of Christ. He now came forward, soliciting a place in this inner circle of disciples. With great earnestness and apparent sincerity he declared, “Master, I will follow Thee whithersoever Thou goest.” Jesus neither repulsed nor welcomed him, but uttered only the mournful words: “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head.” Matthew 8:19, 20. Judas believed Jesus to be the Messiah; and by joining the apostles, he hoped to secure a high position in the new kingdom. This hope Jesus designed to cut off by the statement of His poverty. DA 293.2

The disciples were anxious that Judas should become one of their number. He was of commanding appearance, a man of keen discernment and executive ability, and they commended him to Jesus as one who would greatly assist Him in His work. They were surprised that Jesus received him so coolly. DA 294.1

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Cross References

certain

I will