Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter isn't just asking about a reward; he's implicitly contrasting their radical obedience with the young ruler's hesitation. He's saying, "We did that thing you told him to do, so what's our payoff now?"
Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Just moments before, Jesus had challenged a wealthy young ruler to sell everything and follow Him, a test the ruler failed. Peter, speaking for the disciples, points out their own radical obedience in leaving their livelihoods to follow Jesus, directly asking what reward they can expect for such sacrifices. This question, though seemingly practical, reveals their lingering desire for earthly recognition and temporal benefits within God's kingdom.
Peter boldly declares they've left 'everything.' But what did their 'everything' actually look like? And how does Jesus evaluate such sacrifices?
When Peter says, "Behold, we have forsaken all," he's not talking about vast fortunes. The disciples were fishermen, laborers, likely men of modest means. Their 'all' might have been fishing nets, boats, perhaps a small home or business.
What "All" Means:
Jesus understood this. He didn't dismiss their sacrifice as small. He valued their willingness to leave what was everything to them for His sake. The core issue wasn't the monetary value, but the complete renunciation of their former lives and future prospects for Him.
Peter's question, "What then will we have?" feels surprisingly raw and honest. Is it wrong to ask about our reward for following Jesus?
Peter’s question, "What then will we have?" isn't just about personal gain; it's a natural human response to sacrifice. They’d given up their entire way of life, facing uncertainty and hardship.
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Understanding Peter's Inquiry:
Jesus promises a 'hundredfold' return. What does that look like in the messy reality of life—especially when 'persecutions' are included?
Jesus’s response to Peter is astonishing: "...everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name's sake, will receive many times more, and will inherit eternal life" (Matthew 19:29).
Unpacking the Hundredfold:
Peter's question arises immediately after the encounter with the rich young ruler, highlighting the disciples' focus on earthly rewards and status within the context of the Messianic kingdom, a common expectation among Jews at the time.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Public Ministry Begins
Jesus begins his public ministry, calling disciples and teaching about the Kingdom of God.
c. AD 29-30— this verse
Encounter with the Rich Young Ruler
A wealthy young man asks Jesus how to inherit eternal life, but leaves sorrowfully when told to sell all his possessions and follow Jesus.
c. AD 29-30
Jesus Predicts His Suffering
Jesus foretells his death and resurrection for the third time, but the disciples struggle to grasp its meaning.
c. AD 30
Journey to Jerusalem
Jesus and his disciples travel toward Jerusalem, a journey during which Peter asks about their reward.
This passage parallels Peter's question, highlighting the disciples' sacrifice and their expectation of reward, showing a consistent theme across the Gospels.
Mark 10:28Similar to Luke, this account emphasizes the disciples' act of leaving everything to follow Jesus and Peter's inquiry about their future reward, reinforcing the disciples' perspective.
Matthew 6:33Jesus' teaching here directly addresses the disciples' underlying concern by stating that seeking God's kingdom and righteousness first will result in all necessary things being provided, offering a spiritual perspective on reward.
Philippians 3:7-8Paul echoes the disciples' sentiment of counting all previous gains as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ, illustrating the ultimate, immeasurable reward of following Jesus.
1 Corinthians 9:24-25This passage uses the analogy of an athlete striving for an imperishable crown to encourage perseverance, resonating with the disciples' pursuit of a reward for their sacrifices in following Christ.
vincentMatthew 19:27: "Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?"
WeEmphatic, in contrast with the young ruler.
calvinMatthew 19:27-30: "Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?"
- 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 whos…
Peter isn't just asking about a reward; he's implicitly contrasting their radical obedience with the young ruler's hesitation. He's saying, "We did that thing you told him to do, so what's our payoff now?"
Just moments before, Jesus had challenged a wealthy young ruler to sell everything and follow Him, a test the ruler failed. Peter, speaking for the disciples, points out their own radical obedience in leaving their livelihoods to follow Jesus, directly asking what reward they can expect for such sacrifices. This question, though seemingly practical, reveals their lingering desire for earthly recognition and temporal benefits within God's kingdom.
Just moments before, Jesus had challenged a wealthy young ruler to sell everything and follow Him, a test the ruler failed. Peter, speaking for the disciples, points out their own radical obedience in leaving their livelihoods to follow Jesus, directly asking what reward they can expect for such sacrifices. This question, though seemingly practical, reveals their lingering desire for earthly recognition and temporal benefits within God's kingdom.
"Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?”" — Peter isn't just asking about a reward; he's implicitly contrasting their radical obedience with the young ruler's hesitation. He's saying, "We did that thing you told him to do, so what's our payo…
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Last reviewed October 2026