And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This promise isn't just about future heavenly rewards; Jesus is assuring his followers they'll receive a "hundredfold" now, even amidst potential hardship. This means experiencing a richness of spiritual connection, inner peace, and divine joy that far surpasses the temporary comfort of earthly possessions or relationships they may have surrendered.
And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following Jesus' encounter with the rich young ruler, Peter asks what the disciples will receive since they have left everything behind. Jesus responds not only by promising them future glory and authority but also extends this promise to anyone who makes similar sacrifices for His name, assuring them of a rich reward both now and eternally. This assurance is immediately followed by Jesus' teaching about how many who seem "first" in this life will be "last" in the kingdom, and vice versa, setting the stage for understanding true value in God's eyes.
Jesus asks His followers to give up everything – family, home, career. Why such an extreme demand, and what kind of 'return' does He promise?
Jesus isn't asking for a casual donation; He's calling for a complete reorientation of life around His name. The list of sacrifices – houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children, lands – covers the deepest human attachments and sources of security.
This radical renunciation is for 'my name's sake.' It means leaving these things not out of spite or a desire for poverty, but because following Jesus and honoring His name requires it. It’s about aligning our ultimate loyalty and identity with Him.
While the disciples, like Peter, might have felt they were giving up a lot (Matthew 19:27), Jesus promises a reward that far surpasses any loss. It's a promise of a 'hundredfold' return, which isn't necessarily a literal multiplication of physical possessions, but an immense increase in value through spiritual blessings and divine provision, alongside the ultimate inheritance of eternal life.
A hundred times your family? A hundred times your house? How can Jesus promise such an incredible return, especially when many who follow Him face hardship?
The promise of receiving 'a hundredfold' in this life isn't about a simple, literal exchange of material goods. Instead, it points to a profound spiritual and relational abundance that more than compensates for any loss.
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Spiritual Joy and Peace
This hundredfold comes through an inner richness: immense joy, deep peace of conscience, and the overwhelming sense of God's love, as described by Paul and Silas singing in prison (Acts 16:25) or the disciples rejoicing at being counted worthy to suffer for Christ (Acts 5:41).
Expanded Family and Community
While earthly family ties are relinquished, Jesus spiritually multiplies these relationships. Believers find new 'brothers,' 'sisters,' and 'mothers' in the Christian community. These spiritual bonds, forged in shared faith and love for Christ, often provide a deeper, more enduring connection than natural ties alone.
Contentment and Divine Provision
Even with less materially, followers of Christ can experience profound contentment (Philippians 4:11-12). God is faithful to supply needs, often through the generosity of others within His family, making even a little feel like a great abundance.
After promising an incredible earthly return, Jesus pivots to the ultimate reward. What makes 'eternal life' the grand finale of His promise?
The promise of a hundredfold return in this life is significant, but it serves as a powerful prelude to the true, unsurpassed inheritance: eternal life.
More Than Just 'Life After Death'
Eternal life isn't merely an afterlife reward; it's a present reality and a future consummation. It begins the moment one truly follows Christ and continues into unending fellowship with God. It's a life characterized by God's presence, peace, and unending joy—a stark contrast to the fleeting nature of earthly possessions and relationships.
The Security of Inheritance
Jesus uses the word 'inherit,' which implies a secure, divinely-given possession. Unlike earthly gains that can be lost, stolen, or fade away, eternal life is a guaranteed future with God, secured by Christ's sacrifice and promised to all who leave everything for His name.
The Perfect Compensation
When contrasted with the sacrifices made—leaving family, homes, and lands—eternal life offers the ultimate compensation. It’s not just a reward; it’s the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan, where all temporary losses are eternally outweighed by the boundless riches of His kingdom.
Understand the original words
onoma · Greek Noun
Referring to the unique identity, authority, reputation, and character of God or the Lord Jesus Christ. Acting "for the sake of the name" implies doing something out of devotion and loyalty to Christ's person and authority.
aiōnios zōē · Greek Noun phrase
The quality of life that originates from God and characterizes His own existence; it is not merely duration but a state of fellowship and communion with God that begins now and continues eternally.
This promise is deeply rooted in the immediate context of Jesus calling his first followers, like Peter, who had literally left their livelihoods and families. It reassures them that their radical obedience, though costly, would be more than compensated both in this life through spiritual community and peace, and eternally in God's kingdom, even amidst inevitable persecutions.
c. AD 27-30— this verse
Jesus' Public Ministry and Calling of Disciples
Jesus begins his public ministry, calling disciples like Peter and Andrew, who leave their fishing businesses to follow him.
c. AD 28
Jesus' Teaching on Discipleship and Sacrifice
Jesus delivers significant teachings on the cost of discipleship, including the Sermon on the Mount and parables about the kingdom of God.
c. AD 30
Encounter with the Rich Young Ruler
Jesus challenges a rich young ruler to sell all he has and follow him, highlighting the difficulty some face in relinquishing earthly possessions.
c. AD 30
Peter's Question About Rewards
Following the encounter with the rich young ruler, Peter asks Jesus what he and the other disciples will receive for having left everything to follow Him.
This passage directly parallels Matthew 19:29, with Jesus affirming the same promise of receiving manifold more in this present time and eternal life to all who have left possessions or family for the kingdom of God.
Mark 10:30Mark's account includes the significant addition of 'with persecutions' to the promise, highlighting that the 'hundredfold' reward in this life, though abundant in spiritual joys and community, will be experienced amidst trials for Christ's sake.
Acts 4:32This passage illustrates the practical outworking of forsaking possessions for the sake of the community and the gospel, showing a spirit of unity and shared resources that reflects a foretaste of the 'hundredfold' blessing.
Philippians 3:8Paul echoes the sentiment of forsaking all earthly 'gain' or possessions when contrasted with the supreme value of knowing Christ, indicating that the greatest reward is found in Christ himself, surpassing any material or relational loss.
1 Corinthians 3:22This verse broadly states that all things belong to believers, whether Paul, Apollos, Cephas, the world, life, or death, suggesting that true spiritual ownership and abundance far exceed literal possession, aligning with the 'hundredfold' promise.
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…
bensonMatthew 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."
Matthew 19:29-30 . And every one — In every age and country, and not you my apostles only; that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or wife, or children — Either by giving any of them up, when they could not be retained with a clear conscience; or by willingly refraining from…
This promise isn't just about future heavenly rewards; Jesus is assuring his followers they'll receive a "hundredfold" now, even amidst potential hardship. This means experiencing a richness of spiritual connection, inner peace, and divine joy that far surpasses the temporary comfort of earthly possessions or relationships they may have surrendered.
Following Jesus' encounter with the rich young ruler, Peter asks what the disciples will receive since they have left everything behind. Jesus responds not only by promising them future glory and authority but also extends this promise to anyone who makes similar sacrifices for His name, assuring them of a rich reward both now and eternally. This assurance is immediately followed by Jesus' teaching about how many who seem "first" in this life will be "last" in the kingdom, and vice versa, setting the stage for understanding true value in God's eyes.
Following Jesus' encounter with the rich young ruler, Peter asks what the disciples will receive since they have left everything behind. Jesus responds not only by promising them future glory and authority but also extends this promise to anyone who makes similar sacrifices for His name, assuring them of a rich reward both now and eternally. This assurance is immediately followed by Jesus' teaching about how many who seem "first" in this life will be "last" in the kingdom, and vice versa, setting the stage for understanding true value in God's eyes.
"And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life." — This promise isn't just about future heavenly rewards; Jesus is assuring his followers they'll receive a "hundredfold" now, even amidst potential hardship. This means experiencing a richness of spi…
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Last reviewed October 2026