Mark 10:28 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Peter began to say to him, "See, we have left everything and followed you."

NIV: Then Peter spoke up, "We have left everything to follow you!"

NASB: Peter began to say to Him, 'Behold, we have left everything and have followed You.'

CSB: Peter began to tell him, "Look, we have left everything and followed you."

NLT: Then Peter began to speak up. 'We’ve given up everything to follow you,' he said.

KJV: Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.

NKJV: Then Peter began to say to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You.”

The disciples have been stunned by Jesus' revelation that a rich man, supposedly blessed by God, cannot earn a one-way ticket to heaven (Mark 10:21). The ever-impulsive Peter tries to find a balance in Jesus' words. Jesus told the rich young man that he could not be saved until he gave up everything he owned. The point of this was not to demand all Christians be poor, but to prove that the young man was not willing to follow God at any cost.

Peter latches on to the idea of giving away one's possessions in an attempt to secure the Twelve's footing in Jesus' coming kingdom. "We did that: we gave everything away!" he seems to argue. His claim is exaggerated, however. He and Andrew left their home and fishing business, but they still have the house and boat (Mark 3:9; 4:1, 36; 9:33).

Jesus has already affirmed the disciples' sacrifice, apparently on their way down from Galilee. First, a man promises to follow Jesus, but Jesus reminds the man He doesn't even have a home. Then, Jesus calls another man to follow, but the man wants to bury his father first, a process that could take a year. Another man wants to follow, but not until he says goodbye to his family. Jesus responds, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:57–62).

It's human nature to compare ourselves to others to figure out where we stand. We do this both for self-assurance in our position and to gain honor. The disciples did this to each other when they were back in Capernaum (Mark 9:33–34). But Jesus' call to the rich young man is specific to that unique person: that man valued his riches more than God. The disciples don't yet see their idol, which is not money—it's power and authority (Mark 9:33–37; 10:35–45). The disciples fully understand that salvation must be gifted, not earned, at Pentecost with the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2).

Mark 10:17–31 begins as Jesus is trying to teach the disciples that God's kingdom values the powerless (Mark 9:36–37), the faithful (Mark 9:38–41), women (Mark 10:1–12), and children (Mark 10:13–16). The disciples, perhaps, are distracted by the many people who want to arrest or kill Jesus (John 7:32–52; 8:58–59; 10:22–39; 11:45–54; Luke 13:31). A wealthy young man asks Jesus about eternal life—and gets an unexpected answer in return. His response to Jesus' answer shows that his interest in God is limited by one thing: his money. Through all of history, wealth has been assumed to suggest the favor of God. But Jesus reveals that those whom God blesses often value the gifts more than the Giver. This story is also in Matthew 19:16–30 and Luke 18:18–30.

In this passage, Jesus again confronts the Pharisees by clarifying God's views on marriage and divorce. He reminds the disciples not to dismiss the spiritual perspective of children. This chapter also records Jesus' encounter with the rich young ruler, who becomes an object lesson in why wealth makes it hard for people to rely on God. After this, Jesus deftly sets aside an arrogant request from James and John, and again predicts His impending death. Just prior to the triumphal entry of chapter 11, Jesus is sought out by Bartimaeus, whom He heals of blindness.

In between chapters 9 and 10, Jesus resumes His public teaching as He travels to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles (Luke 9:57—18:14; John 7—10). We meet Him here across the Jordan in Perea and follow as He makes His way west again to Jericho. This chapter surrounds a third prophecy of Jesus' death (Mark 10:32–34) with lessons on His value for those others often dismiss: women (Mark 10:1–12), the powerless (Mark 10:13–16), those who value God more than the world (Mark 10:17–31), servant-hearted leaders (Mark 10:35–45), and those with bold faith (Mark 10:46–52). Next is the triumphal entry and the beginning of Passion Week.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.