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,
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῖς
unto them
G846
αὐτοῖς
unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 26
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Ἀμὴν
Verily
G281
Ἀμὴν
Verily
Strong's:
G281
Word #:
5 of 26
properly, firm, i.e., (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it)
λέγω
I say
G3004
λέγω
I say
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
6 of 26
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ὅτι
G3754
οὐδείς
no man
G3762
οὐδείς
no man
Strong's:
G3762
Word #:
9 of 26
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
ἐστιν
There is
G2076
ἐστιν
There is
Strong's:
G2076
Word #:
10 of 26
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
ὃς
that
G3739
ὃς
that
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
11 of 26
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
οἰκίαν
house
G3614
οἰκίαν
house
Strong's:
G3614
Word #:
13 of 26
properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication, a family (especially domestics)
ἀδελφοὺς
brethren
G80
ἀδελφοὺς
brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
17 of 26
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βασιλείας
the kingdom
G932
βασιλείας
the kingdom
Strong's:
G932
Word #:
24 of 26
properly, royalty, i.e., (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)
Historical Context
In collectivist Mediterranean culture, family identity was primary. 'Leaving' family for religious commitment violated honor codes and social identity. Yet Jesus demands this willingness from ultimate allegiance to kingdom priorities. Early Christians often faced this choice.
Questions for Reflection
- What has following Christ cost you in family relationships or material security?
- How do you balance honoring family with subordinating family to kingdom priorities?
- Are you willing to 'leave' anything that competes with Christ for ultimate loyalty?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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—Jesus validates sacrifice made heneken tēs basileias (for the kingdom's sake). The list (house, parents, siblings, wife, children) covers all earthly attachments. Aphēken (left) means subordinating to Christ. Discipleship may cost family relationships when following Christ conflicts with family expectations.
Jesus reframes Peter's mercenary question ('what do we get?') toward proper motivation—kingdom priorities, not personal gain. He doesn't call for family abandonment but willingness to prioritize kingdom over kinship when they conflict.