King James Version

What Does Luke 18:29 Mean?

Luke 18:29 in the King James Version says “And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or... — study this verse from Luke chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake,

Luke 18:29 · KJV


Context

27

And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

28

Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.

29

And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake,

30

Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.

31

Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake—Jesus validates sacrifice made heneken tēs basileias (for the kingdom's sake). The list (house, parents, siblings, wife, children) covers all earthly attachments. Aphēken (left) means subordinating to Christ. Discipleship may cost family relationships when following Christ conflicts with family expectations.

Jesus reframes Peter's mercenary question ('what do we get?') toward proper motivation—kingdom priorities, not personal gain. He doesn't call for family abandonment but willingness to prioritize kingdom over kinship when they conflict.

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Historical & Cultural Context

In collectivist Mediterranean culture, family identity was primary. 'Leaving' family for religious commitment violated honor codes and social identity. Yet Jesus demands this willingness from ultimate allegiance to kingdom priorities. Early Christians often faced this choice.

Reflection Questions

  1. What has following Christ cost you in family relationships or material security?
  2. How do you balance honoring family with subordinating family to kingdom priorities?
  3. Are you willing to 'leave' anything that competes with Christ for ultimate loyalty?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 26 words
1 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ2 of 26

And

G1161

but, and, etc

εἶπεν3 of 26

he said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

αὐτοῖς4 of 26

unto them

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Ἀμὴν5 of 26

Verily

G281

properly, firm, i.e., (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it)

λέγω6 of 26

I say

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

ὑμῖν7 of 26

unto you

G5213

to (with or by) you

ὅτι8 of 26
G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

οὐδείς9 of 26

no man

G3762

not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing

ἐστιν10 of 26

There is

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

ὃς11 of 26

that

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἀφῆκεν12 of 26

hath left

G863

to send forth, in various applications (as follow)

οἰκίαν13 of 26

house

G3614

properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication, a family (especially domestics)

14 of 26

or

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

γονεῖς15 of 26

parents

G1118

a parent

16 of 26

or

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

ἀδελφοὺς17 of 26

brethren

G80

a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)

18 of 26

or

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

γυναῖκα19 of 26

wife

G1135

a woman; specially, a wife

20 of 26

or

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

τέκνα21 of 26

children

G5043

a child (as produced)

ἕνεκεν22 of 26

for

G1752

on account of

τῆς23 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

βασιλείας24 of 26

the kingdom

G932

properly, royalty, i.e., (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)

τοῦ25 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεοῦ26 of 26

of God's

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 18:29 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 18:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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