Luke 18:29

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,

And {G1161} he said {G2036} unto them {G846}, Verily {G281} I say {G3004} unto you {G5213},{G3754} There is {G2076} no man {G3762} that {G3739} hath left {G863} house {G3614}, or {G2228} parents {G1118}, or {G2228} brethren {G80}, or {G2228} wife {G1135}, or {G2228} children {G5043}, for {G1752} the kingdom {G932} of God's {G2316} sake {G1752},

Yeshua answered them, “Yes! I tell you that everyone who has left house, wife, brothers, parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God,

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God

And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or wife, or brethren, or parents, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake,

Luke 18:29 (KJV) presents a profound teaching from Jesus Christ, emphasizing the radical commitment required for entry into and service for the Kingdom of God. This verse is part of a broader discourse on the cost of discipleship and the rewards for those who fully commit to following Jesus.

Context

This verse immediately follows the challenging encounter with the rich young ruler, who, despite his piety, was unwilling to surrender his vast possessions to follow Jesus. After the ruler departed sorrowfully, Jesus spoke about the difficulty for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God. Peter then responded in Luke 18:28, saying, "Lo, we have left all, and followed thee." Jesus' reply in verse 29, and the subsequent promise in verse 30, directly addresses Peter's statement, affirming the value and reward of such sacrifice.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Radical Discipleship and Sacrifice: The core message is the necessity of placing the Kingdom of God above all earthly ties and comforts. "Leaving house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children" signifies a willingness to surrender the most cherished aspects of life – family, home, and security – for Christ's sake.
  • Prioritizing God's Kingdom: Jesus highlights that true commitment means that God's will and the advancement of His Kingdom must take precedence over even the most fundamental human relationships and possessions. This isn't necessarily a call to literal abandonment of family in all cases, but a reordering of allegiances where God holds the supreme position.
  • The Cost of Following Jesus: This verse underscores the significant personal cost involved in being a true follower of Christ. It implies that there will be demands that challenge conventional loyalties and comfort zones. Similar themes are found in Matthew 10:37 and Luke 14:26, where Jesus speaks of loving Him more than family.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Verily I say unto you" translates the Greek Amēn legō hymin (ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν), which is a characteristic and emphatic declaration by Jesus, signaling a weighty and trustworthy statement. The motivation "for the kingdom of God's sake" (heneken tēs basileias tou Theou - ἕνεκεν τῆς βασιλείας τοῦ Θεοῦ) clearly defines the purpose of such sacrifice – it is not for personal gain or asceticism, but purely for the advancement and glory of God's reign.

Practical Application

For believers today, Luke 18:29 serves as a powerful reminder of the ultimate priority in life. While it may not always mean physically leaving family or home, it calls for a spiritual readiness to:

  • Prioritize God's Call: Be willing to make decisions that align with God's will, even if they conflict with personal comfort, family expectations, or societal norms. This might involve career choices, geographical moves for ministry, or financial sacrifices.
  • Detachment from Earthly Possessions: Cultivate an attitude of non-attachment to material wealth and possessions, understanding that they are secondary to spiritual pursuits and eternal rewards.
  • Unconditional Love for God: Demonstrate that love for God and His Kingdom surpasses all other loves and loyalties, even those to the closest family members. This doesn't diminish the importance of family but places God unequivocally first, as seen in the greatest commandment to love God with all one's heart, soul, and mind.

This verse assures those who make such sacrifices that their devotion is recognized and will be abundantly rewarded, as promised in the following verse, Luke 18:30.

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 10:29

    And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,

  • Mark 10:31

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

  • Luke 14:26

    If any [man] come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

  • Luke 14:28

    For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have [sufficient] to finish [it]?

  • Matthew 10:37

    He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

  • Matthew 10:39

    He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

  • Matthew 19:28

    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.

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