Then
Peter answered, “Behold, we have left everything, and followed you. What then will we have?” Jesus said to them, “Most certainly I tell you that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on the throne of his glory, you also will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive one hundred times, and will inherit eternal life. But many will be last who are first; and first who are last.
Matthew 19:27-30
Matthew 19 [26.] Looking at them, Jesus said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19 [27.] Then Peter answered, “Behold, we have left everything, and followed you. What then will we have?”
Matthew 19 [28.] Jesus said to them, “Most certainly I tell you that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on the throne of his glory, you also will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive one hundred times, and will inherit eternal life. But many will be last who are first; and first who are last.
Matthew 20 [1.] “For the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who was the master of a household, who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. When he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. He went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace. He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. About the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle. He said to them, ‘Why do you stand here all day idle?’
Meaning:
The rich young man had gone away sad, unwilling to leave his possessions to follow Jesus (Matthew 19:22). Jesus had told his disciples how hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom, but that with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:24-26). Now Peter, speaking for the twelve, points out the difference between that man and themselves. They had done what he would not do. Jesus answers with a remarkable promise and a warning. Mark and Luke record the same exchange (Mark 10:28-31; Luke 18:28-30).
- “we have left everything, and followed you”
Peter was telling the truth. When Jesus called the fishermen by the Sea of Galilee, “They immediately left their nets and followed him” (Matthew 4:20). James and John left their boat and their father (Matthew 4:22), and Matthew left his tax office (Matthew 9:9). Peter’s question, “What then will we have?”, sounds a little like bargaining, but it is also an honest question. Jesus does not rebuke him. He answers generously.
- “in the regeneration”
“Regeneration” means new birth or renewal. Here it refers to the renewal of all creation at the end of the age, when God fulfils his promise, “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth” (Isaiah 65:17), and the one on the throne declares, “Behold, I am making all things new” (Revelation 21:5).
- “when the Son of Man will sit on the throne of his glory”
Jesus draws on Daniel’s vision, where thrones were set, the Ancient of Days sat in judgment (Daniel 7:9), and one “like a son of man” received “dominion, and glory, and a kingdom” (Daniel 7:13-14). The one now walking toward the cross will one day reign in glory.
- “you also will sit on twelve thrones”
The twelve apostles, like the twelve sons of Jacob, stand at the head of God’s renewed people. They will share in Christ’s rule over Israel. Paul extends a similar hope to all believers: “Don’t you know that the saints will judge the world?” (1 Corinthians 6:2). Those who were despised fishermen and tax collectors will be honoured beyond imagining.
- “will receive one hundred times”
Jesus widens the promise to everyone who leaves home, family or land for his sake. Following Jesus may cost relationships and property. Yet such a person gains a new family of believers, for “whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother” (Matthew 12:50). Mark adds that these blessings come “with persecutions” (Mark 10:30). Above all, they “will inherit eternal life”, the very thing the rich young man had asked about.
- “many will be last who are first”
Jesus ends with a warning. God’s Kingdom overturns human rankings. Some who seem first now, like the rich and respected, will be last; some who seem last will be first. The saying also warns the disciples against pride in their own sacrifice. Jesus repeats it at the end of the parable of the labourers in the vineyard: “So the last will be first, and the first last” (Matthew 20:16).
The Significance of Matthew 19:27-30
- No sacrifice for Jesus is wasted
Whatever believers give up for Christ, God repays far beyond its worth. Paul could say, “I count all things to be a loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord” (Philippians 3:8).
- Serve with humility, not to earn
Reward is real, but it is God’s generous gift, not wages we can demand. Disciples are called to follow Jesus out of love, leaving the ranking to him.
Cross-References:
Mark 10:29-30: "he will receive one hundred times more now in this time," Mark’s parallel, adding persecutions.
Luke 18:29: "there is no one who has left house, or wife, or brothers, or parents, or children, for God’s Kingdom’s sake," Luke’s parallel.
Daniel 7:14: "There was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom," The Son of Man’s glory.
Hebrews 11:26: "accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt;" Moses chose the lasting reward.
Conclusion: Peter reminded Jesus that the disciples had left everything to follow him. Jesus promised that in the renewal of all things they would share his reign, and that everyone who gives up home, family or possessions for his sake will receive a hundred times as much and inherit eternal life. Yet God’s Kingdom reverses human rankings, so the first will be last and the last first.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible