who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to focus on the abundant "hundredfold" return—houses, family, land. But notice how Mark uniquely places "with persecutions" right in the middle of the earthly blessings. This isn't an afterthought; it's the very context in which these new, abundant relationships and provisions are experienced.
who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter asks Jesus what reward he and the other disciples will get for leaving everything behind to follow Him. Jesus responds by promising an incredible abundance of family and possessions, along with persecution, in this life, and eternal life in the age to come. This assurance is given in the context of Jesus' teaching about the difficulty the rich face in entering God's kingdom and a warning that the "first shall be last, and the last first."
Jesus promises a staggering return for those who give up everything for Him. What does this 'hundredfold' really look like in this life, and how is it different from what was lost?
Jesus assures His followers that leaving possessions and relationships for His sake results in a radical abundance, even now.
Beyond Literal Replacement
While the promise includes material things like 'houses' and 'lands,' the key is that the compensation is in value, not always in kind. It's a hundredfold more happiness and fulfillment than what was lost. Think of it as a spiritual and relational wealth that far surpasses material gain.
The Family of God
Crucially, Jesus emphasizes receiving 'brothers and sisters and mothers and children.' This points to the new spiritual family found in the community of believers. When earthly ties are strained or broken for Christ's sake, God replaces them with deep, enduring bonds of love and support within the church. These spiritual relationships are often more profound and life-giving than biological ones.
The Price of Discipleship
This abundance doesn't come without a cost. Jesus deliberately includes 'with persecutions.' This highlights that the 'hundredfold' is not a life free from hardship, but rather a richness of experience that coexists with suffering for the Gospel. It’s about finding God’s provision and peace amidst trials, not the absence of them.
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Jesus concludes His promise with a stark contrast between earthly gains and an eternal reward. What makes this ultimate compensation so significant?
The promise of receiving 'an hundredfold now' is remarkable, but it's the second part of Jesus's statement that anchors the believer's hope: 'and in the world to come eternal life.'
The Greater Prize
While the present blessings are real and significant—a new family, spiritual provision, and God's sustaining grace—they are ultimately a foretaste. The true, incomparable reward is eternal life. This isn't just endless existence, but a restored, intimate relationship with God in His kingdom, free from sin and suffering.
A Shift in Perspective
Recognizing eternal life as the ultimate compensation fundamentally shifts our perspective on earthly sacrifices. What we give up—possessions, comfort, even relationships—pales in comparison to what we gain. This hope empowers us to endure present hardships with patience and joy, knowing that our true home and eternal reward await.
The 'Coming World'
Jesus refers to 'the age to come' or 'the world to come.' This speaks of the future, redeemed creation, the new heavens and new earth where God's reign will be fully established. It’s the completion of the 'regeneration' that began with Christ's first coming.
Understand the original words
diōgmos · Greek Noun
Refers to the experience of suffering, oppression, or harassment endured by believers specifically because of their faithfulness to Christ and His teachings. It is often portrayed as an expected mark of discipleship.
aiōnios zōē · Greek Noun Phrase
Refers to the unending life of fellowship with God, made possible through Jesus Christ. It is not merely duration of existence, but the quality of life that begins now through faith and continues in the presence of God forever.
c. AD 27-30— this verse
Jesus' Ministry and Discipleship
Jesus calls disciples, including fishermen like Peter, Andrew, James, and John, from their livelihoods to follow Him and learn His teachings.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Transfiguration
Peter, James, and John witness Jesus' divine glory, an event that foreshadows the future glory of God's kingdom.
c. AD 30
Jesus predicts his death
Jesus predicts his suffering and death for the third time, a difficult teaching for his disciples to grasp.
c. AD 30
The Rich Young Ruler departs
A wealthy young man refuses Jesus' call to sell all he has and follow Him, illustrating the difficulty of prioritizing God over possessions.
c. AD 30
Jesus teaches on rewards
In response to Peter's question about their sacrifices, Jesus promises abundant rewards in this life and the next for those who follow Him.
This passage directly parallels Jesus' promise, stating that those who leave family or property for His sake will receive 'many times more' and inherit eternal life.
Luke 18:29-30Luke's account also affirms that Jesus' followers will receive 'many times more' in this age and eternal life in the age to come, underscoring the abundance of the spiritual reward.
This passage speaks to believers remaining in their calling, suggesting that the 'family' and community found within the church are a true replacement for earthly ties surrendered for the Gospel.
This verse describes the paradoxical experience of believers as having nothing, yet possessing everything, reflecting the 'hundredfold' gain in spiritual wealth even amidst hardship and persecution.
Philippians 3:8-10Paul's desire to 'gain Christ' and to know Him, even at the cost of all things, illustrates the supreme value of the spiritual blessings that outweigh any material loss, mirroring the reward mentioned in Mark.
calvinMark 10:28-31: "Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee."
- Then Peter answering said to him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee: what therefore shall we have? 28. And Jesus said to them, Verily I say to you, That you who have followed me in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit on the throne of his majesty, you also shall sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29. And whosoever shall leave houses, or brothers, or…
wesleyMark 10:30: "But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life."
10:30 He shall receive a hundred fold, houses, and c. - Not in the same kind: for it will generally be with persecutions: but in value: a hundred fold more happiness than any or all of these did or could afford. But let it be observed, none is entitled to this happiness, but he that will accept it w…
It's easy to focus on the abundant "hundredfold" return—houses, family, land. But notice how Mark uniquely places "with persecutions" right in the middle of the earthly blessings. This isn't an afterthought; it's the very context in which these new, abundant relationships and provisions are experienced.
Peter asks Jesus what reward he and the other disciples will get for leaving everything behind to follow Him. Jesus responds by promising an incredible abundance of family and possessions, along with persecution, in this life, and eternal life in the age to come. This assurance is given in the context of Jesus' teaching about the difficulty the rich face in entering God's kingdom and a warning that the "first shall be last, and the last first."
Peter asks Jesus what reward he and the other disciples will get for leaving everything behind to follow Him. Jesus responds by promising an incredible abundance of family and possessions, along with persecution, in this life, and eternal life in the age to come. This assurance is given in the context of Jesus' teaching about the difficulty the rich face in entering God's kingdom and a warning that the "first shall be last, and the last first."
"who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life." — It's easy to focus on the abundant "hundredfold" return—houses, family, land. But notice how Mark uniquely places "with persecutions" right in the middle of the earthly blessings. This isn't an after…
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Last reviewed October 2026