Matthew 19:28, commentary and pictures

Jesus gave this promise in answer to Peter's question about what those who have left everything to follow Him will receive, after the rich young ruler turned away and He taught how hard it is for the rich to enter God's kingdom. Regeneration means the coming renewal of all things, when the Son of man sits on the throne of His glory and His followers sit with Him on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel, sharing His authority, honor and glory under Him. That enthronement will take place not in this present age but at Christ's return when His kingdom is established, when the faithful are raised to reign with Him during the thousand years and share the kingdom He receives from His Father. Though the disciples had given up little in worldly terms, their sacrifice was accepted because it was all they had, and this commendation stands as encouragement to every sacrifice for Christ as a sure heavenly investment that will return a hundredfold with everlasting life. The kingdom is spiritual, so its honor belongs not to seekers of worldly rank but to humble, self-denying servants who follow Christ's example of compassion and soul-saving love, even leaving home and loved ones to serve as missionaries.

Context and Promise

Jesus spoke these words in direct answer to Peter's question about what those who have forsaken all and followed Him would have or receive. The question came after the rich young man went away sorrowful rather than sell what he had and give to the poor, and after Jesus taught that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven, 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, and that what is impossible with men is possible with God. The account containing the promise immediately preceded the parable of the laborers.

The word regeneration means the renewal of all things, the coming renewal. In that regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit on the throne of His glory, those who have followed Him shall sit upon twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. There they share in His authority, honor, and glory under Him, serving under His authority in the kingdom He receives.

The promise stands joined to the promise that everyone who has forsaken houses, family, or lands for His name's sake shall receive an hundredfold and inherit everlasting life. With it stands also the warning that many that are first shall be last and the last first.

Future Fulfillment

The promise to the twelve apostles will be fulfilled in the regeneration, when Christ sits on the throne of His glory at His return. That is the time when His kingdom is established, at the final judgment and the reward of the righteous, and not during the present age. It is also held that His followers will be raised and sit with Him on thrones of judgment before He sits on the throne of His glory, and that this enthronement begins the saints' reign with Christ during the thousand years. The faithful will share in the kingdom Christ receives from His Father, serving under His authority and judging the twelve tribes when He sits on His throne of glory. The kingdom is spiritual, and its true honor belongs not to those who seek worldly rank but to humble, active servants who show compassion, love, and self-denial, with distinction given to those who help and bless others and follow His example even when they do not seek honor for themselves. The promise therefore shows Christ's authority as leader of His people, given in answer to Peter's question about what the disciples would receive for leaving everything to follow Him.

The promised honor fulfilled the disciples' highest dreams in response to Peter's question about what they would receive after giving things up for Christ. They understood the places of high honor, sitting on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel, as pointing to a kingdom soon to be established. For that reason Jesus' words about His betrayal, suffering, and death seemed unclear to them. At that time the disciples were not wholly free from the idea that God's favor and the righteous person's reward must be earned, and the event that included this promise, immediately preceding the parable of the laborers, provided an opportunity to correct that error.

Discipleship and Reward

The promise answers Peter's question about what those who have forsaken all and followed Him will receive, that in the renewal of all things when the Son of man sits on the throne of His glory they will sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel, sharing His authority, honor and glory, and this reward is made possible because He gave His life to the work of soul-saving so that human beings can return to loyalty and take their stand under the banner of Prince Emmanuel. The disciples had given up little in material terms, yet their sacrifice was accepted because it was all they had and was dear to them, like the widow's mite. That commendation was given to encourage every sacrifice made to follow Him, not to produce self-sufficiency.

It is a rich promise of future reward for faithful service, to be valued and held in view, joined to the assurance that those who give up family or possessions for His name will receive a hundredfold and inherit everlasting life. Unlike worldly mining ventures, it is a sure heavenly investment, the sure return for investing all to secure the heavenly pearl of great price, mining stock that can be bought without risk of disappointment. The kingdom so promised is spiritual, and the kingdom He receives from His Father is shared by those who serve under His authority.

Its true honor and distinction belong not to those who seek worldly rank but to humble, active servants who show compassion, love, and self-denial, to those who help and bless others and follow His example even when they do not seek honor for themselves. Peter, having followed Him in self-denial and self-sacrifice and shared in His sufferings, will share in His glory when He sits on the throne of His glory. Such sacrifice as leaving home, work, and even loved ones for His service belongs to devoted discipleship, calling believers to serve willingly and selflessly as missionaries.