Luke 18:28

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

Then {G1161} Peter {G4074} said {G2036}, Lo {G2400}, we {G2249} have left {G863} all {G3956}, and {G2532} followed {G190} thee {G4671}.

Kefa said, “Look, we have left our homes and followed you.”

“Look,” said Peter, “we have left all we had to follow You.”

And Peter said, Lo, we have left our own, and followed thee.

In Luke 18:28, the Apostle Peter speaks on behalf of the disciples, making a profound declaration to Jesus: "Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee." This statement comes at a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, highlighting the radical commitment required of His followers and setting the stage for His teaching on the rewards of discipleship.

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus' challenging encounter with the rich young ruler. The ruler, seeking eternal life, was unwilling to sell all his possessions and follow Jesus, ultimately turning away sorrowful. Jesus then remarked on the difficulty for the wealthy to enter the Kingdom of God, even stating, "For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." (Luke 18:25). Peter's statement serves as a stark contrast to the rich young ruler's inability to sacrifice. The disciples, unlike the ruler, had indeed abandoned their livelihoods and comforts to walk with Jesus.

Key Themes

  • Radical Discipleship and Sacrifice: Peter's declaration underscores the intense and often costly nature of true discipleship. The disciples literally left their fishing nets, tax booths, and family ties to devote themselves entirely to following Jesus. This wasn't a partial commitment but a complete reorientation of their lives.
  • Contrast with Worldly Attachments: The verse sharply contrasts the disciples' willingness to forsake everything with the rich young ruler's inability to detach from his material wealth. It emphasizes that entrance into God's Kingdom often requires a profound reordering of priorities, where Christ takes precedence over all earthly possessions and securities.
  • Anticipation of Reward: While seemingly a statement of fact, Peter's "Lo, we have left all" also carries an implicit question or expectation about what their sacrifice will yield. This sets the stage for Jesus' subsequent teaching in Luke 18:29-30 about the abundant spiritual and eternal rewards awaiting those who make such a commitment.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "Lo" translates the Greek word idou (ἰδοὺ), which is an interjection meaning "behold," "look," or "pay attention." It serves to draw immediate attention to the significant statement Peter is about to make. The phrase "left all" comes from the Greek aphentes panta (ἀφέντες πάντα), which vividly conveys the totality and completeness of their abandonment of their former lives and livelihoods. This was not a temporary pause but a decisive break, emphasizing their full commitment to Jesus' mission.

Practical Application

For believers today, Luke 18:28 continues to challenge and inspire. While not everyone is called to literally abandon all material possessions, the principle of "leaving all" remains central to Christian discipleship. It calls for:

  • Prioritizing Christ: Our ultimate allegiance and highest affection must be for Jesus, above career, possessions, relationships, or personal comfort. This echoes the call to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.
  • Willingness to Sacrifice: Discipleship may involve sacrificing personal ambitions, comfortable routines, or worldly securities for the sake of the Gospel and God's will. It means holding earthly things loosely and being ready to give them up if they hinder our walk with Christ.
  • Trust in God's Provision: The disciples' act of leaving all was an act of profound faith, trusting that Jesus would provide for their needs. This verse reminds us that God is faithful to those who commit their lives fully to Him, promising an eternal reward that far outweighs any earthly sacrifice.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Mark 10:28

    Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.

  • Philippians 3:7

    But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

  • Matthew 19:27

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

  • Luke 5:11

    And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

  • Matthew 4:19

    And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

  • Matthew 4:22

    And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.

  • Matthew 9:9

    ¶ And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.

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