King James Version

What Does Matthew 19:28 Mean?

Matthew 19:28 in the King James Version says “And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man... — study this verse from Matthew chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Matthew 19:28 · KJV


Context

26

But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

27

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

28

And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

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.

30

But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Peter's statement 'we have forsaken all, and followed thee' is both true and somewhat self-congratulatory. Jesus' response (19:28-30) promises reward for faithful disciples while warning against mercenary motivation. The phrase 'in the regeneration' (Greek 'palingenesia'—new birth, renewal) refers to the new creation when Christ returns. Reformed eschatology sees believers reigning with Christ in the renewed earth. This verse shows discipleship costs everything but receives abundantly more in return.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Twelve had literally left occupations, families, and security to follow Jesus. Peter's reminder isn't entirely wrong—they had sacrificed much. Jesus acknowledges this while pointing to future reward in the messianic kingdom. 'Sitting on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel' (19:28) indicates apostolic authority in the eschatological kingdom, fulfilled partially in church leadership, ultimately in new creation.

Reflection Questions

  1. What have you truly forsaken to follow Christ?
  2. How can you maintain sacrificial discipleship without mercenary motives?
  3. What future reward most motivates your present faithfulness?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 38 words
τοῦ1 of 38

which

G3588

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

δὲ2 of 38

And

G1161

but, and, etc

Ἰησοῦς3 of 38

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

εἶπεν4 of 38

said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

αὐτοῦ5 of 38

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

Ἀμὴν6 of 38

Verily

G281

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

λέγω7 of 38

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

ὑμῖν8 of 38

unto you

G5213

to (with or by) you

ὅτι9 of 38

That

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ὑμεῖς10 of 38

ye

G5210

you (as subjective of verb)

τοῦ11 of 38

which

G3588

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

ἀκολουθήσαντές12 of 38

have followed

G190

properly, to be in the same way with, i.e., to accompany (specially, as a disciple)

μοι13 of 38

me

G3427

to me

ἐν14 of 38

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τοῦ15 of 38

which

G3588

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

παλιγγενεσίᾳ16 of 38

the regeneration

G3824

(spiritual) rebirth (the state or the act), i.e., (figuratively) spiritual renovation; specially, messianic restoration

ὅταν17 of 38

when

G3752

whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as

καθίσεσθε18 of 38

shall sit

G2523

to seat down, i.e., set (figuratively, appoint); intransitively, to sit (down); figuratively, to settle (hover, dwell)

τοῦ19 of 38

which

G3588

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

υἱὸς20 of 38

the Son

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

τοῦ21 of 38

which

G3588

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

ἀνθρώπου22 of 38

of man

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

ἐπὶ23 of 38

in

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

θρόνους24 of 38

the throne

G2362

a stately seat ("throne"); by implication, power or (concretely) a potentate

δόξης25 of 38

glory

G1391

glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)

αὐτοῦ26 of 38

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

καθίσεσθε27 of 38

shall sit

G2523

to seat down, i.e., set (figuratively, appoint); intransitively, to sit (down); figuratively, to settle (hover, dwell)

καὶ28 of 38

also

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ὑμεῖς29 of 38

ye

G5210

you (as subjective of verb)

ἐπὶ30 of 38

in

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

δώδεκα31 of 38

the twelve

G1427

two and ten, i.e., a dozen

θρόνους32 of 38

the throne

G2362

a stately seat ("throne"); by implication, power or (concretely) a potentate

κρίνοντες33 of 38

judging

G2919

by implication, to try, condemn, punish

τοῦ34 of 38

which

G3588

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

δώδεκα35 of 38

the twelve

G1427

two and ten, i.e., a dozen

φυλὰς36 of 38

tribes

G5443

an offshoot, i.e., race or clan

τοῦ37 of 38

which

G3588

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

Ἰσραήλ38 of 38

of Israel

G2474

israel (i.e., jisrael), the adopted name of jacob, including his descendants (literally or figuratively)


Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Matthew 19:28 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 Matthew 19:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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