Matthew 19:29
And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὅς
one
G3739
ὅς
one
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
3 of 29
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἀφῆκεν
that hath forsaken
G863
ἀφῆκεν
that hath forsaken
Strong's:
G863
Word #:
4 of 29
to send forth, in various applications (as follow)
οἰκίας
houses
G3614
οἰκίας
houses
Strong's:
G3614
Word #:
5 of 29
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 #:
7 of 29
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
πατέρα
father
G3962
πατέρα
father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
11 of 29
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
μητέρα
mother
G3384
μητέρα
mother
Strong's:
G3384
Word #:
13 of 29
a "mother" (literally or figuratively, immediate or remote)
ἀγροὺς
lands
G68
ἀγροὺς
lands
Strong's:
G68
Word #:
19 of 29
a field (as a drive for cattle); genitive case, the country; specially, a farm, i.e., hamlet
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὀνόματός
name's
G3686
ὀνόματός
name's
Strong's:
G3686
Word #:
22 of 29
a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
λήψεται
shall receive
G2983
λήψεται
shall receive
Strong's:
G2983
Word #:
25 of 29
while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
26 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
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 14:26If 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.Matthew 16:25For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.Matthew 6:33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.1 Peter 4:14If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.Matthew 10:22And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.John 15:19If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.Luke 6:22Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.Matthew 5:11Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.Acts 9:16For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
Historical Context
First-century disciples literally left family businesses, inheritance rights, and social security to follow Jesus. This cost was immense in kinship-based Mediterranean culture. Jesus promises restoration in church family and future kingdom. Early Christians experienced this, finding community support exceeding biological family ties. Persecution often meant literal loss of family and property.
Questions for Reflection
- What would following Christ wholeheartedly cost you?
- How has the church family compensated for what discipleship cost?
- What eternal inheritance motivates present sacrifice?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus promises that everyone who forsakes family or property 'for my name's sake' will receive 'an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.' This demonstrates kingdom economics—giving up earthly treasures for Christ yields infinite return. The 'hundredfold' blessing includes spiritual family (the church community) and eternal life. Reformed theology sees here the principle that God cannot be outgiven—sacrifices for Christ are investments with eternal dividends. The motivation must be 'for my name's sake,' not personal gain.