Luke alone recorded this third conversation. It appears anticlimactic at first, but it is not because the man was asking Jesus for a lesser concession than his predecessor ( Luke 9:59-60). A good-bye would only take a few minutes whereas burying a father would take an indefinite time. Perhaps he thought that if Elijah permitted Elisha to say farewell to his parents before he followed Elijah, Jesus would surely permit him to do the same ( 1 Kings 19:19-21). Yet even this concession was not one Jesus would grant. Jesus" mission was more important than Elijah"s. Jesus" answer was again proverbial (cf. Luke 9:50). Discipleship involves hard work and sacrifice similar to plowing. A farmer who does not concentrate on his plowing is not a fit farmer. Likewise, a disciple who allows life to distract him from his duties as a disciple is unfit for the kingdom (cf. Philippians 3:13; Hebrews 6:7; Hebrews 12:1-2). The disciple of Jesus must continue to follow Him faithfully, single-mindedly. [source][source][source]
These "hard sayings" clarify the demands of discipleship. Jesus" followers must be willing to share His homelessness, to place participation in God"s program above the claims that family and duty impose, and to persevere in their calling. Luke probably recorded the responses of these three individuals so the reader would see himself or herself in the story and realize the importance of making the proper response personally. [source][source][source]