Luke 9:62

Modern

Then Jesus declared, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and then looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Traditional

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

Literal

But Jesus said to him, “No one having laid the hand upon the plow and looking to the things behind is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Latin

Ait ad illum Jesus: Nemo mittens manum suam ad aratrum, et respiciens retro, aptus est regno Dei.

Greek

English

Then Jesus declared, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and then looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

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.

Philippians 3:13
Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
Hebrews 10:38
But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he shrinks back, I will take no pleasure in him.”
2 Peter 2:20–22
If indeed they have escaped the corruption of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, only to be entangled and overcome by it again, their final condition is worse than it was at first.
Luke 17:31–32
On that day, let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve his possessions. Likewise, let no one in the field return for anything he has left behind.
James 1:6–8
But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
Psalm 78:8–9
Then they will not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose heart was not loyal, whose spirit was not faithful to God.
Acts 15:37–38
Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark.
2 Timothy 4:10
…because Demas, in his love of this world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia.

Jesus: The Son of God and Savior of the world