Luke 18:29 kjv
And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake,
Luke 18:29 nkjv
So He said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God,
Luke 18:29 niv
"Truly I tell you," Jesus said to them, "no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God
Luke 18:29 esv
And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God,
Luke 18:29 nlt
"Yes," Jesus replied, "and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the Kingdom of God,
Luke 18 29 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Matt 19:29 | And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. | Direct parallel; emphasizes 'for my name’s sake'. |
| Mark 10:29-30 | "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life." | Direct parallel; mentions receiving "now in this time" and "persecutions". |
| Luke 14:26-27 | "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple." | Prioritizing Christ above all earthly ties. |
| Phil 3:7-8 | But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. | Paul's personal example of valuing Christ above all. |
| Deut 33:9 | "who said of his father and mother, ‘I regard them not’; he knew not his brothers and disowned his children; for they observed your word and kept your covenant." | Levi's devotion to God over family in specific covenant service. |
| Matt 6:33 | "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." | Promises provision when Kingdom is prioritized. |
| Heb 11:24-26 | By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. | Example of choosing God's people over worldly status. |
| 1 Tim 6:6-7 | But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. | Earthly possessions are temporary; spiritual gain is lasting. |
| Luke 12:33-34 | "Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail." | Laying up eternal treasure by selfless giving. |
| 1 John 2:15-17 | "Do not love the world or the things in the world...For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world." | Call to detach from worldly love and embrace spiritual values. |
| Mark 3:31-35 | "Whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother." | Spiritual family redefines earthly ties for disciples. |
| 2 Cor 4:17-18 | "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen." | Contrasting temporal losses with eternal, glorious rewards. |
| John 12:25 | "Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." | Paradoxical truth: surrendering self-life leads to true life. |
| Rev 21:7 | "The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son." | The ultimate inheritance for overcoming for Christ's sake. |
| Matt 5:10-12 | "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." | Blessing on those who suffer loss for righteousness and God's Kingdom. |
| Luke 14:33 | "So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple." | Discipleship requires a complete detachment from earthly possessions. |
| Luke 16:9 | "And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings." | Using temporal wealth for eternal benefit. |
| Rom 8:17 | "...and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him." | Co-heirship with Christ through shared suffering and sacrifice. |
| Heb 10:34 | For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. | Believers willingly endured loss for a greater, enduring hope. |
| 1 Pet 4:12-13 | "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you." | Expectation of suffering and loss when following Christ. |
| Psa 84:11 | For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. | God's generous provision and favor to the devoted. |
| Mal 3:10 | "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it." | God's promise to bless abundantly those who are faithful to Him. |
Luke 18 verses
Luke 18 29 Meaning
Luke 18:29 declares Jesus's assurance that no one who has relinquished familial ties, earthly possessions, or worldly comforts for the sake of God's Kingdom will fail to receive a far greater return, both in this present age and in the age to come, specifically eternal life. It highlights the profound reward for radical discipleship, where allegiance to Christ and His Kingdom takes precedence over all other human attachments and material securities.
Luke 18 29 Context
Luke 18:29 directly follows Jesus's interaction with the rich young ruler (Luke 18:18-27). The ruler, unwilling to sell his possessions and follow Jesus, walks away sorrowfully. Jesus then remarks on how difficult it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God, explaining that for God, "all things are possible." Peter, representing the disciples, then highlights that they have indeed "left everything and followed" Jesus (Luke 18:28), implying a desire for reassurance regarding their sacrifice. Luke 18:29 is Jesus's direct and authoritative affirmation and promise in response to Peter's statement, validating their choices and assuring them of unparalleled rewards for their selfless commitment to the Kingdom of God. The immediate historical context is that of early discipleship, where following Jesus often meant abandoning familial security, social status, and economic stability, in a culture where such ties were paramount.
Luke 18 29 Word analysis
- Truly (Ἀμήν, Amēn): A solemn affirmation, akin to "verily" or "amen." Used by Jesus to introduce a weighty, authoritative, and irrefutable statement of truth. It signals absolute certainty and importance, drawing attention to what follows.
- I say to you (λέγω ὑμῖν, legō hymin): Emphasizes Jesus's divine authority as the speaker. He is not merely suggesting but proclaiming an established truth, unique to His teaching.
- there is no one (οὐδείς, oudeis): A strong negative, implying absolute exclusion of any exception. It underscores the universal applicability of the principle for anyone who meets the condition.
- who has left (ἀφῆκεν, aphēken): An aorist tense verb, suggesting a decisive, completed action. It implies a willing, deliberate act of renunciation or abandonment for a higher purpose, not simply passive loss. The act is voluntary and deliberate.
- house (οἰκίαν, oikian): Refers to one's physical dwelling, home, or property. Symbolizes security, family roots, inheritance, and worldly possessions. Giving it up meant financial insecurity and loss of status.
- or parents (ἢ γονεῖς, ē goneis): Signifies leaving the fundamental source of social identity, lineage, and support in that culture. To leave parents was an extreme act, often seen as breaking the Fifth Commandment, unless done for a higher, divine calling.
- or brothers (ἢ ἀδελφούς, ē adelphous): Relates to extended family ties, community support, and inherited lands or trade. Breaking these ties meant isolation and loss of social network.
- or wife (ἢ γυναῖκα, ē gynaika): Luke's inclusion of "wife" (Matthew and Mark omit this here, though similar in other contexts like Luke 14:26) is significant. It implies an even deeper, more challenging sacrifice, especially given the indissoluble nature of marriage in Jesus's teaching. This emphasizes the supreme priority of the Kingdom. This is not abandonment in a worldly sense, but a placing of Kingdom priority even over one's most intimate human bond, perhaps leading to persecution or separation for the gospel's sake, or even celibacy for those called.
- or children (ἢ τέκνα, ē tekna): To leave children represented abandoning one's legacy, future security, and deep emotional bonds in a society centered on family lines and perpetuation.
- for the sake of the kingdom of God (ἕνεκεν τῆς βασιλείας τοῦ Θεοῦ, heneken tēs basileias tou Theou): This crucial phrase defines the motive for the sacrifice. The relinquishment is not random or due to worldly circumstances, but a deliberate act of prioritization. "Kingdom of God" refers to God's sovereign rule, His spiritual domain and reign in the lives of believers, and its present and future reality. This makes the sacrifice meaningful and righteous. It’s an act of worship and obedience.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left...": This opening powerfully establishes Jesus's authority and the absolute nature of the promise. "No one" leaves no room for doubt; anyone who meets the condition is included. It’s a definitive divine guarantee.
- "house or parents or brothers or wife or children": This comprehensive list covers all the major aspects of worldly security and human relationship in that ancient society. It includes property, family, and descendants, touching on both material and emotional/social anchors. This breadth of sacrifice underscores the radical nature of commitment required for God's Kingdom. It represents placing the Kingdom above personal safety, loyalty, lineage, and emotional attachment, demanding complete devotion.
- "for the sake of the kingdom of God": This phrase is the linchpin. It provides the divine reason for such a drastic departure from societal norms. The sacrifice is not an end in itself, nor is it due to neglect or malice, but a direct result of choosing God's eternal reign as the ultimate priority. This holy motivation elevates the act from mere abandonment to an act of consecrated devotion. It signifies putting God's will and purpose at the center of one's entire life.
Luke 18 29 Bonus section
The inclusion of "wife" in Luke's account (absent in Matthew and Mark at this specific point, though Luke 14:26 contains a similar, even stronger statement involving "wife") makes the statement profoundly challenging and specific to the absolute demands of discipleship. This is not advocating for marital dissolution or neglect but rather emphasizing that even the most intimate human bond must be subordinate to the call of the Kingdom. In certain callings (like celibacy for the sake of the Kingdom, as in Matt 19:12), it could imply literal renunciation, but generally, it signifies placing Christ and His will as the highest priority within a marriage, willing to face separation for the sake of the gospel if God's mission demands it, or for the partner to face persecution. It highlights the often misunderstood cost of true, uncompromising discipleship. This divine recompense implies that God provides true spiritual relationships and a divine inheritance that far supersede anything given up in the earthly realm.
Luke 18 29 Commentary
Luke 18:29, following the rich young ruler's departure, addresses the concern of sacrifice inherent in discipleship. Jesus provides a profound and unconditional promise of reward to those who truly surrender worldly ties—be they possessions, familial relationships, or social standing—for the Kingdom of God. This promise operates on a spiritual economy where earthly loss translates into exponential spiritual and eternal gain. The "hundredfold" refers not necessarily to literal possessions but to a richer, more abundant spiritual reality—new spiritual family (brothers, sisters, mothers in the church), divine provision, and purpose, often accompanied by persecution, as seen in Mark's parallel. The ultimate "reward" is eternal life, signifying not merely unending existence but the fullness of God's life, experienced both presently in union with Christ and perfectly in the age to come. This verse reassures believers that radical commitment to Christ is never unrewarded, illustrating that giving up something for God’s purposes results in gaining everything that truly matters.For example, a missionary who leaves their home country, comforts, and even distant family members to spread the gospel in a foreign land embodies this principle. While they may physically lose certain connections, they gain an expansive spiritual family, deep communal bonds within the church, and a profound sense of purpose and divine fellowship, alongside the ultimate hope of eternal life and reward in heaven. Another example is one who prioritizes serving Christ over a lucrative career path, choosing financial simplicity for the sake of the Kingdom. Such individuals may not accumulate earthly wealth but often find themselves richly blessed with contentment, divine provision, and spiritual abundance beyond material measures.