Matthew 19:27
Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
Original Language Analysis
Τότε
Then
G5119
Τότε
Then
Strong's:
G5119
Word #:
1 of 17
the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)
ἀποκριθεὶς
answered
G611
ἀποκριθεὶς
answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
2 of 17
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Πέτρος
Peter
G4074
Πέτρος
Peter
Strong's:
G4074
Word #:
4 of 17
a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle
αὐτῷ
unto him
G846
αὐτῷ
unto him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 17
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
ἀφήκαμεν
have forsaken
G863
ἀφήκαμεν
have forsaken
Strong's:
G863
Word #:
9 of 17
to send forth, in various applications (as follow)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἠκολουθήσαμέν
followed
G190
ἠκολουθήσαμέν
followed
Strong's:
G190
Word #:
12 of 17
properly, to be in the same way with, i.e., to accompany (specially, as a disciple)
Cross References
Philippians 3:8Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,Luke 5:11And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.Luke 18:28Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.Mark 2:14And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.Mark 10:28Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.Deuteronomy 33:9Who said unto his father and to his mother, I have not seen him; neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor knew his own children: for they have observed thy word, and kept thy covenant.Luke 15:29And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:Matthew 9:9And 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.Luke 14:33So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.1 Corinthians 4:7For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?
Historical Context
The disciples had indeed made significant sacrifices—Peter left his fishing business (4:20), Matthew abandoned tax-collecting (9:9), and all forsook family ties and economic security. In a culture where vocation and family ties defined identity and provided survival, their commitment was costly. Yet Jesus's response both affirms their sacrifice and warns against merit-based calculation of spiritual rewards.
Questions for Reflection
- How can Christians avoid Peter's subtle error of comparing our sacrifices favorably to others while still acknowledging the real costs of discipleship?
- What does Jesus's gracious answer to Peter's self-focused question reveal about how God responds to mixed motives in His followers?
- In what ways might we, like Peter, engage in spiritual scorekeeping that contradicts the grace-based nature of Kingdom rewards?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee (ἰδοὺ ἡμεῖς ἀφήκαμεν πάντα καὶ ἠκολουθήσαμέν σοι, idou hēmeis aphēkamen panta kai ēkolouthēsamen soi)—Peter's response reflects a mixture of genuine commitment and self-justifying comparison. The perfect tense of ἀφίημι (aphiēmi, to leave, forsake) emphasizes the completed action with continuing results: they had abandoned their livelihoods and remained in that state. Following (ἀκολουθέω, akoloutheō) implies continuous discipleship, not merely physical accompaniment.
What shall we have therefore? (τί ἄρα ἔσται ἡμῖν, ti ara estai hēmin)—Peter's question reveals lingering transactional thinking: we've paid the price, what's our reward? Jesus doesn't rebuke this but graciously promises abundant recompense (vv. 28-30). Yet His answer includes a sobering warning: many that are first shall be last (v. 30). Peter's comparison with the rich young ruler contains subtle spiritual pride that Jesus addresses through the following parable (20:1-16), where laborers hired last receive equal pay.