What does Peter mean when he says, "we have forsaken all, and followed thee"?

Peter is speaking for the disciples. They had left their normal way of life to follow Jesus. That meant walking away from steady work, homes, and the comfort of living with their families, and instead traveling with Jesus, facing uncertainty and hardship. Even though they were not rich, what they left was still real loss to them. Peter is not wrong to notice this, but his question shows he is thinking about what they will get in return, so Jesus answers by pointing him to future and present rewards from God.

What is "the regeneration" and the Son of man sitting on the throne of his glory?

This phrase has been understood in more than one way. Some read it as the final renewal, when Jesus returns and all things are made new in body and soul. Others see it as the new age that began with Jesus’ coming, death, rising, and the sending of the Spirit, when God’s kingdom came in a new way. In either case, the picture is of Jesus, the Son of man, openly reigning in glory, and his followers sharing in his honor and work under his authority.

How will the disciples sit on twelve thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel?

Jesus uses throne and judging language to describe honor and authority given to the apostles. They would have a special role in God’s plan for his people. Their message about Jesus would expose people’s hearts, call Israel to repent, and announce both forgiveness and warning. This judging is not about the disciples replacing God, but serving under Jesus as he rules. It shows that their losses for his sake are not forgotten, but will be answered with real and lasting honor in his kingdom.

What does it mean to receive "an hundredfold" after forsaking family, houses, or lands?

Jesus is not promising that if you lose one house, you will literally own a hundred houses. He is saying that whatever is given up for his name’s sake will be more than made up for by what God gives. That can include the care, fellowship, and support of other believers, and a deep sense of God’s love and presence that makes even small blessings sweeter than great riches without him. On top of that, he adds the promise of everlasting life, which far outweighs any loss in this world.

Why does Jesus say, "many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first"?

Jesus is correcting human ideas of greatness and reward. Those who seem first now, because of wealth, status, or a good start, may end up last if they cling to those things and do not truly follow him. Those who seem last, weak, poor, or despised may be honored by God if they trust and obey Jesus. This also warns people who start well in following him not to become proud or lazy. What matters is God’s judgment at the end, not how important we look in the present.

How does this passage speak to people who are afraid of losing things for Jesus?

This passage honestly admits that following Jesus can mean real loss: strained family ties, missed chances to gain wealth, or even losing home and safety. But Jesus also promises that nothing given up for his name is wasted. God gives a kind of joy, peace, and spiritual family that cannot be taken away, even when life is hard. And beyond this life, he promises everlasting life. This helps believers see their sacrifices not as pointless, but as part of walking with the One who will fully repay.

What was happening when Jesus gave these promises to his disciples?

Jesus had just spoken with a wealthy young man who walked away sad because he would not give up his riches to follow him. Jesus then said how hard it is for the rich to enter God’s kingdom, which shocked the disciples. They had thought wealth was a sign of God’s favor. Peter, thinking of their own choice to follow, asked what they would have. Jesus answered with the picture of shared thrones, great repayment, and eternal life, but also with the warning about first and last.

Why does this verse about first and last sometimes seem hard to understand?

The saying is short and can apply in several ways, which is why people read it in more than one way. It can point to rich and poor, to religious leaders and outcasts, to early and late followers, or to people who start strong in faith but do not endure. In every case, the same truth holds: God’s way of ranking people is not the same as ours. The main point is not to guess every detail, but to be humble, keep following Jesus, and trust God’s final ordering of things.

Matt.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?

The Disciples’ Reward

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

And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.