Matthew 19:27 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then Peter said in reply, "See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?"

NIV: Peter answered him, "We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?"

NASB: Then Peter responded and said to Him, 'Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?'

CSB: Then Peter responded to him, "See, we have left everything and followed you. So what will there be for us?"

NLT: Then Peter said to him, 'We’ve given up everything to follow you. What will we get?'

KJV: Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?

NKJV: Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?”

Peter is infamous for saying and doing exactly what comes to his mind, in that instant, for good or bad. That's a blessing to modern believers. Often, Peter blurts out honest things which we, too, might have said. In this case, he once again misunderstands Jesus' meaning about the difficulty of the rich being saved (Matthew 19:23–24). Peter remembered what Jesus had told the rich young ruler (Matthew 19:21–22) and wanted to know how it applied to him and the other disciples.

When Christ told the rich man to give up his money, he did it to prove that the man lacked real sincerity. Even this action would not have made the young man truly good, because only God is good. But Jesus was showing the man just how far from good he was; he would be unwilling to follow if God's will contradicted his will.

Peter, though, heard Jesus mention a condition and a promise. He and the other disciples had already lived up to the condition, by walking away from their previous lives. They did not likely start out wealthy, but they had left everything to follow Jesus. Jesus had told the young man that he would have treasure in heaven. Peter wanted to know if he and the disciples could expect treasure in heaven.

Matthew 19:16–30 describes Jesus' conversation with a wealthy young man who asks how to attain eternal life. Jesus begins by establishing a standard of goodness, suggesting the man keep all the commandments. When the man says he has done this, Jesus suggests he give up his wealth to follow Him. The man's sad reaction proves he's unwilling to make God the real priority of his life. Using this as an example, Jesus warns that wealth can make it difficult for someone to accept salvation.

Pharisees ask Jesus if it is lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause. Jesus reminds them marriage was designed by God at creation. Divorce, then, is lawful only in the case of sexual immorality. A rich young man asks Jesus what good thing he must do to have eternal life. Jesus insists only God is good. He challenges the man's sincerity by asking him to give all his wealth to the poor and follow Him. The man's refusal demonstrates how easy it is to prefer wealth to dependence on God. In response to the disciples' question, Jesus says salvation is impossible with men but not with God.

Matthew 19 follows Jesus' teachings about temptation and forgiveness in chapter 18. This passage begins with Jesus leaving behind Galilee and heading toward Jerusalem the long way around. Jesus tells the Pharisees that divorce is legal only in cases of sexual immorality. Jesus blesses little children and then answers a rich young man who asks how to have eternal life. The man leaves sad after Jesus challenges him to give his money to the poor and follow Him. Jesus says salvation is impossible with men, but not with God. Chapter 20 contains additional parables and examples, and is the last before Jesus arrives in Jerusalem in the days just prior to His crucifixion.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.