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The Bible has been the most influential text in all of Western culture. It's difficult to understand medieval or early modern or much of modern literature without knowing it...

Prof. Barbara Newman, Northwestern University
from 2006 Bible Literary project

Puts his hand to the plough and looks back (Luke 9:62)

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Picture copyright: V.

bible verse

Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

meaning

If you put your hand to the plough and look back, you are second guessing yourself.
Another idiom derived from this bible verse is “put one’s hand to the plough”. It means to get on with hard work.

origin and application

When people plough the field, they need to keep their eyes straight ahead and not to look back. Otherwise, the furrows will be crooked. Jesus uses this metaphor to describe people who hesitate about following Christ. Those who do not respond to his calling at once are not fit to serve God.

example

Keywords

look plough second work

Related Information

NIV official site
Chinese Bible (???)

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