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.
Original Language Analysis
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 38
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
3 of 38
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
αὐτοῦ
unto them
G846
αὐτοῦ
unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 38
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 #:
6 of 38
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 #:
7 of 38
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
That
G3754
ὅτι
That
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
9 of 38
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 38
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀκολουθήσαντές
have followed
G190
ἀκολουθήσαντές
have followed
Strong's:
G190
Word #:
12 of 38
properly, to be in the same way with, i.e., to accompany (specially, as a disciple)
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 38
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παλιγγενεσίᾳ
the regeneration
G3824
παλιγγενεσίᾳ
the regeneration
Strong's:
G3824
Word #:
16 of 38
(spiritual) rebirth (the state or the act), i.e., (figuratively) spiritual renovation; specially, messianic restoration
ὅταν
when
G3752
ὅταν
when
Strong's:
G3752
Word #:
17 of 38
whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as
καθίσεσθε
shall sit
G2523
καθίσεσθε
shall sit
Strong's:
G2523
Word #:
18 of 38
to seat down, i.e., set (figuratively, appoint); intransitively, to sit (down); figuratively, to settle (hover, dwell)
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 38
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱὸς
the Son
G5207
υἱὸς
the Son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
20 of 38
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 38
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐπὶ
in
G1909
ἐπὶ
in
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
23 of 38
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
θρόνους
the throne
G2362
θρόνους
the throne
Strong's:
G2362
Word #:
24 of 38
a stately seat ("throne"); by implication, power or (concretely) a potentate
δόξης
glory
G1391
δόξης
glory
Strong's:
G1391
Word #:
25 of 38
glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)
αὐτοῦ
unto them
G846
αὐτοῦ
unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
26 of 38
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
καθίσεσθε
shall sit
G2523
καθίσεσθε
shall sit
Strong's:
G2523
Word #:
27 of 38
to seat down, i.e., set (figuratively, appoint); intransitively, to sit (down); figuratively, to settle (hover, dwell)
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
28 of 38
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπὶ
in
G1909
ἐπὶ
in
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
30 of 38
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
θρόνους
the throne
G2362
θρόνους
the throne
Strong's:
G2362
Word #:
32 of 38
a stately seat ("throne"); by implication, power or (concretely) a potentate
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
34 of 38
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Matthew 25:31When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:Revelation 20:4And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.Isaiah 65:17For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.Isaiah 66:22For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.2 Peter 3:13Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.Matthew 16:27For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.Revelation 7:4And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.Revelation 21:5And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.Revelation 4:4And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.Revelation 3:21To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
Historical Context
The Twelve had literally left occupations, families, and security to follow Jesus. Peter's reminder isn't entirely wrong—they had sacrificed much. Jesus acknowledges this while pointing to future reward in the messianic kingdom. 'Sitting on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel' (19:28) indicates apostolic authority in the eschatological kingdom, fulfilled partially in church leadership, ultimately in new creation.
Questions for Reflection
- What have you truly forsaken to follow Christ?
- How can you maintain sacrificial discipleship without mercenary motives?
- What future reward most motivates your present faithfulness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Peter's statement 'we have forsaken all, and followed thee' is both true and somewhat self-congratulatory. Jesus' response (19:28-30) promises reward for faithful disciples while warning against mercenary motivation. The phrase 'in the regeneration' (Greek 'palingenesia'—new birth, renewal) refers to the new creation when Christ returns. Reformed eschatology sees believers reigning with Christ in the renewed earth. This verse shows discipleship costs everything but receives abundantly more in return.