Luke 9:61

Modern

Still another said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first let me bid farewell to my family.”

Traditional

And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.

Literal

And yet another said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first allow me to bid farewell to those at my home.”

Latin

Et ait alter: Sequar te Domine, sed permitte mihi primum renuntiare his quæ domi sunt.

Greek

English

Still another said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first let me bid farewell to my family.”

Let me bid farewell to my family: This statement is similar to the prophet Elisha's request to Elijah (1 Kings 19:19–20). Jesus asked for an even greater commitment from his followers.
puts his hand to the plow and then looks back: Farmers in the ancient world guided a light plow, a tool used to prepare soil for planting, with one hand and the oxen (work animals used for farming) with the other. Looking away would cause the plow to turn away.
For a believer, looking back meant placing earthly concerns ahead of God.

As he traveled toward Jerusalem to suffer and die, Jesus explained the cost to those who wished to follow him.

Luke 14:26
“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be My disciple.
1 Kings 19:20
So Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, and then I will follow you.” “Go on back,” Elijah replied, “for what have I done to you?”
Luke 14:18–20
But one after another they all began to make excuses. The first one said, ‘I have bought a field, and I need to go see it. Please excuse me.’
Matthew 10:37–38
Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me;
Deuteronomy 33:9
He said of his father and mother, ‘I do not consider them.’ He disregarded his brothers and did not know his own sons, for he kept Your word and maintained Your covenant.
Ecclesiastes 9:10
Whatever you find to do with your hands, do it with all your might, for in Sheol, where you are going, there is no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.