Matthew 19 27

Matthew 19:27 kjv

Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?

Matthew 19:27 nkjv

Then Peter answered and said to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?"

Matthew 19:27 niv

Peter answered him, "We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?"

Matthew 19:27 esv

Then Peter said in reply, "See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?"

Matthew 19:27 nlt

Then Peter said to him, "We've given up everything to follow you. What will we get?"

Matthew 19 verses

Matthew 19 27 Meaning

Matthew 19:27 records Peter's question to Jesus following the difficult encounter with the rich young man and Jesus' teaching on the obstacles wealth presents to entering the Kingdom of Heaven. Peter, speaking for the disciples, highlights their significant sacrifice of abandoning their previous lives and possessions to follow Christ, seeking assurance and clarification regarding the recompense or reward they would receive for such radical commitment. His question underscores the disciples' ongoing journey in understanding the full implications of their discipleship.

Matthew 19 27 Context

This verse is situated immediately after Jesus' discourse on the extreme difficulty for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, catalyzed by the departure of a wealthy young man who could not bring himself to relinquish his great possessions (Mt 19:16-22). Jesus had emphatically stated that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God, leading to the disciples' profound astonishment and question, "Who then can be saved?" (Mt 19:23-25). Jesus reassures them that with God, all things are possible (Mt 19:26). Peter's subsequent question in verse 27 shifts the focus from the rich young man's failure to the disciples' active choice to leave everything and follow Jesus. It is a direct response, highlighting their sacrifice and seeking a definitive understanding of the resulting reward. The cultural context emphasizes property and family as foundational pillars of identity and security. Disciples leaving their homes, livelihoods, and sometimes families was a radical break from societal norms and required immense faith, mirroring prophetic calls in the Old Testament to abandon prior ways for God's path.

Matthew 19 27 Word analysis

• Then (οὖν, oun): This Greek particle functions as a transition, signifying "therefore," "accordingly," or "so then." It directly links Peter's statement to Jesus' preceding teaching on wealth and salvation, indicating it's a logical response or follow-up thought.
• Peter (Πέτρος, Petros): A significant disciple, often serving as spokesman for the Twelve. His leadership and sometimes impulsive nature are reflected here as he voices a question likely shared by all.
• answered and said (ἀποκριθείς εἶπεν, apokritheis eípen): Apokritheis (from apokrinomai) means "having answered" (an aorist participle), denoting a complete action. Eípen (from legō) is the standard word for "he said." This combination emphasizes a definite verbal response following prior statements or events.
• to Him (αὐτῷ, autō): Dative pronoun referring to Jesus, underscoring the direct address and personal interaction.
• See (ἰδοὺ, idou): An interjection meaning "behold" or "look!" It serves to draw attention to the emphatic statement that follows, highlighting the significance of their action.
• we (ἡμεῖς, hēmeis): This is the emphatic first-person plural pronoun, placed prominently in the Greek sentence. It specifically underscores the disciples' action and separates them from the rich young man who failed to surrender all.
• have left (ἀφήκαμεν, aphēkamen): From aphiēmi, an aorist active indicative, indicating a completed past action with lasting effect. It means to abandon, forsake, send away, or leave behind. This signifies a decisive and complete separation from their former lives.
• all (πάντα, panta): All things, everything. This is an emphatic word emphasizing the comprehensive nature of their sacrifice, encompassing their livelihood, family ties (in some cases), social standing, and material possessions. It stands in direct contrast to the rich young ruler's inability to forsake his wealth.
• and followed (ἠκολουθήσαμεν, ēkolouthēsamen): From akoloutheō, an aorist active indicative. It means to go with, to accompany, to become a disciple of, to walk in the steps of. It signifies a continuous commitment and adherence to Jesus as their master, embracing His itinerant lifestyle and teaching.
• You (σοι, soi): Dative pronoun referring to Jesus, specifying the object of their following. Their surrender was not merely of their past lives but to His person and His call.
• What then (τί οὖν, ti oun): "What therefore," "what then." Ti (what) asks for the specific reward, and oun (therefore, then) again connects their query logically to their actions ("since we have done X, what follows for us?").
• will we have? (ἔσται ἡμῖν, estai hēmin): Future tense of eimi ("to be"), implying "what shall be for us?" or "what will there be for us?" This directly asks about their future portion, inheritance, or reward, demonstrating a natural human concern for security and recompense for significant sacrifice.

Matthew 19 27 Bonus section

The disciples' "all" represents their security, social identity, and familiar world. This radical detachment was essential for effective Kingdom work, echoing the prophetic calls for wholehearted devotion in the Old Testament, where individuals often left their comfort zones to follow God's specific call (e.g., Abraham in Gen 12). The "what then will we have" question highlights the initial, sometimes self-interested, yet understandable perspective of disciples before their full sanctification. It underscores that God patiently meets us where we are, answering our human questions, and guiding us to a deeper, more spiritual understanding of true wealth in Christ. Jesus' positive response transforms their potentially materialistic query into a profound revelation about the glorious eternal and temporal inheritance awaiting those who truly leave all for Him and His gospel. This question and Jesus' answer remain profoundly relevant for believers considering the cost of discipleship today.

Matthew 19 27 Commentary

Peter's question in Matthew 19:27 encapsulates a core tension for disciples throughout history: the balance between costly obedience and the expectation of reward. While some might interpret his query as self-serving, it is more accurately seen as a sincere and pragmatic request for clarification, common among those committing their lives entirely to a cause. He, like many of the disciples, was still growing in spiritual understanding, naturally wondering about the return on their extraordinary investment. Peter voices the natural human curiosity about future security and divine compensation for radical faith, especially after seeing the rich young man walk away due to the very cost they themselves had embraced. Jesus' subsequent answer (Mt 19:28-29) is not a rebuke but a gracious affirmation, validating their sacrifice and promising an incomparable reward, demonstrating that God indeed honors radical commitment to His Kingdom in both present and future dimensions. It illustrates that genuine discipleship involves complete surrender to Christ, and the Father is always generous in blessing those who walk by faith.