9:57–62 The first two exchanges with would-be followers are also present in Matt. 8:19–22 and so are derived by Luke in all likelihood from the sayings source (“Q”). The third saying, appearing nowhere else in the Gospel tradition, may also have been part of the sayings source, but in view of its affinities with the Elijah/Elisha tradition, this third exchange may be unique to Luke. Fitzmyer (p. 833) suggests that all three exchanges likely derive from “independent contexts in the ministry of Jesus.” But because of their similar form and function it was only natural to group them together.

These exchanges drive home the point that it costs to follow Jesus. In the first exchange (vv. 57–58) a man offers to follow Jesus wherever he should go. Jesus tells him that he has little to offer by w…