Luke 18 28

Luke 18:28 kjv

Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.

Luke 18:28 nkjv

Then Peter said, "See, we have left all and followed You."

Luke 18:28 niv

Peter said to him, "We have left all we had to follow you!"

Luke 18:28 esv

And Peter said, "See, we have left our homes and followed you."

Luke 18:28 nlt

Peter said, "We've left our homes to follow you."

Luke 18 verses

Luke 18 28 Meaning

Luke 18:28 records Peter's statement to Jesus, expressing the disciples' significant personal sacrifice in following Him. Following Jesus' interaction with the rich young ruler who could not part with his wealth, Peter essentially contrasts their obedience with the ruler's failure, asserting that they, unlike the ruler, have indeed given up their worldly security. This statement carries an implicit question regarding their future reward or the recompense for their drastic commitment.

Luke 18 28 Context

Luke 18:28 appears directly after Jesus's challenging encounter with the rich young ruler (Luke 18:18-27). This ruler, though observant of the commandments, was unwilling to sell all his possessions and distribute them to the poor to follow Jesus. Jesus then stated the difficulty for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God. It is in light of this significant test of discipleship, where one failed due to attachment to wealth, that Peter speaks. Peter's statement contrasts their radical decision to abandon their livelihoods and familial settings to follow Jesus, implying that they, unlike the rich young ruler, had indeed passed such a test. His declaration serves as a segue to Jesus's powerful promises regarding the eternal rewards for those who forsake all for His sake (Luke 18:29-30), which directly addresses the unspoken question behind Peter's assertion. The broader context of Luke 18 includes themes of humility, childlikeness, the kingdom of God, prayer, and ultimately the cost and reward of genuine discipleship.

Luke 18 28 Word analysis

• And Peter said, (Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ Πέτρος, Kai eipen ho Petros): Connects the statement directly to the preceding narrative. Peter often acted as the spokesman for the disciples. His addressing Jesus implies a direct inquiry or declaration.
• "See," (Ἰδοὺ, Idou): An emphatic interjection, often translated as "Behold!" or "Look!" It draws attention to what is being said, giving the following statement a sense of immediacy and significance. Peter uses it to emphasize their actions.
• "we" (ἡμεῖς, hemeis): Plural pronoun, indicating that Peter speaks on behalf of all the disciples, distinguishing them collectively from the rich young ruler. It highlights a group identity and shared experience.
• "have left" (ἀφήκαμεν, aphēkamen): From aphiēmi (ἀφίημι), meaning "to send away, leave, abandon, let go." The aorist tense denotes a completed, decisive action in the past, with enduring consequences. It suggests a definitive separation from their former lives.
• "our homes" (τὰ ἴδια, ta idia): Literally "our own [things]." While idia can mean one's own possessions or affairs, in this context and reinforced by parallel passages (Matt 19:29; Mk 10:29), it strongly implies their dwelling places, livelihoods, family structures, and secure way of life. It signifies the breadth of their renunciation of worldly stability.
• "and followed" (ἠκολουθήσαμέν, ēkolouthēsamen): From akoloutheō (ἀκολουθέω), meaning "to follow, accompany." The aorist tense again points to a completed, decisive action. This is the essence of discipleship: a committed adherence and companionship with Jesus.
• "you." (σοι, soi): Dative of "you" (singular). The direct object of their following is Jesus Himself, indicating their devotion and alignment of life purpose with Him.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And Peter said, 'See, we have left our homes...": Peter's interjection demonstrates his quick thinking and perhaps an attempt to show Jesus that some were willing to make the sacrifice the rich young ruler wasn't. The use of "See!" points to the obviousness and substantial nature of their abandonment. The term "our homes" is not merely about physical structures but signifies their previous settled lives, including family ties, economic security (e.g., fishing businesses), and social identity within their communities. This "leaving" was a total reorientation.
• "...and followed you.": This phrase emphasizes the reason for their departure – not aimless wandering, but intentional devotion to Jesus. "Followed you" indicates not just walking behind Him geographically, but embracing His teachings, mission, and lifestyle, signifying their chosen path of discipleship and commitment to Him above all else. This phrase completes the picture of a comprehensive shift in loyalty and life direction.

Luke 18 28 Bonus section

The parallels in Matthew and Mark's Gospels provide further insight into the comprehensiveness of what was "left": Matthew 19:29 expands "homes" to include "houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands," indicating a profound social and familial dislocation in addition to material loss. Mark 10:29 likewise enumerates "house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands." This broader scope confirms that Peter's "our homes" served as a metonym for the totality of their former lives and their anchors in society, underscoring the radical, counter-cultural nature of true discipleship from the very beginning of the Christian movement. The Greek verb aphēkamen (we have left/abandoned) signifies a definitive and deliberate act of relinquishment, distinguishing it from merely temporarily setting something aside. This radical leaving reflects the ultimate loyalty shift from temporal securities to the eternal calling of Christ.

Luke 18 28 Commentary

Peter's statement in Luke 18:28 is a direct, albeit subtly expectant, declaration of the disciples' commitment. It highlights their stark contrast to the rich young ruler who failed to forsake his earthly security for eternal life. Peter articulates the real, tangible sacrifice made by him and the other apostles, who abandoned their fishing businesses, homes, and familiar ways of life to journey with Jesus. This declaration is both an honest assessment of their devotion and a natural human query about the ensuing recompense or spiritual benefit from such a drastic choice. It sets the stage for Jesus to unveil the immense spiritual and eternal rewards promised to those who genuinely renounce worldly attachments for the sake of the Kingdom of God, surpassing any temporal loss. It underscores the call to radical, unconditional discipleship.

• Example 1: A missionary family leaving their comfort zone, stable jobs, and family connections to serve in a foreign land. Their commitment mirrors Peter's "we have left."
• Example 2: An individual choosing to forego a highly lucrative career path to enter full-time ministry or serve the poor, seeing their professional "home" as secondary to God's call.
• Example 3: Someone giving up deeply ingrained habits or destructive relationships, counting them as "loss" to wholeheartedly pursue Christ.