Meaning of Luke 18:28

This declaration by Peter, "We have left all we had to follow you!" (Luke 18:28), arises from Jesus' encounter with a rich young ruler who, despite his adherence to the Law, could not bring himself to part with his possessions to follow Jesus. Jesus then uses this event to teach about the difficulty for the wealthy to enter the kingdom of God, leading to Peter's bold statement. Peter, representing the disciples, is not merely boasting but is expressing a profound commitment and seeking reassurance that their sacrifice has not been in vain. His words highlight a core principle of discipleship: the necessity of relinquishing worldly attachments for the sake of the divine calling, and they underscore the disciples' deep loyalty and their understanding that following Jesus involves a radical reordering of priorities.

Context and Background

The immediate context is Jesus' interaction with the rich young ruler (Luke 18:18-23). This individual, who had kept the commandments from his youth, asked Jesus what more he needed to do to inherit eternal life. Jesus' response was pointed: sell everything, give it to the poor, and then follow Him. The ruler's inability to do this, due to his great wealth, prompted Jesus' somber observation about the difficulty of the rich entering God's kingdom. It is in direct response to this teaching and the ruler's departure that Peter, perhaps feeling a mix of pride in their own faithfulness and a desire to understand the implications for all followers, voices his and the other disciples' commitment. The disciples had indeed left their livelihoods—fishing businesses, tax collection roles—to follow Jesus, a significant personal and economic sacrifice.

Key Themes and Messages

The primary themes are sacrifice, commitment, and the value of the Kingdom of God. Peter's statement emphasizes the magnitude of the disciples' commitment, which involved abandoning their former lives, social standing, and economic security. It underscores that true discipleship demands a willingness to count all things as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ and entering God's kingdom (Philippians 3:8). The verse also implicitly addresses the cost of discipleship and the rewards of obedience, hinting at Jesus' subsequent promise of abundant return in this life and eternal life in the age to come (Luke 18:29-30).

Spiritual Significance and Application

Spiritually, this verse calls believers to examine their own attachments and priorities. It challenges the notion that faith can be compartmentalized or that worldly possessions can coexist without tension with a full commitment to Christ. The disciples' sacrifice serves as a model for contemporary Christians, urging them to consider what "all we had" might represent in their own lives – be it career ambitions, financial security, personal comfort, or even deeply ingrained habits and relationships that hinder their devotion to God. The principle is not necessarily literal abandonment of all possessions but a radical reorientation of the heart, where Christ is supreme and nothing else holds ultimate value.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

Peter's declaration fits within the overarching biblical narrative of covenant faithfulness and divine calling. From Abraham leaving his homeland to the prophets speaking God's word, the Old Testament is replete with examples of individuals called to radical obedience and sacrifice. In the New Testament, Jesus consistently calls for a renunciation of self and worldly pursuits in favor of the Kingdom. This verse is a pivotal moment illustrating the disciples' early understanding and embodiment of this call, setting the stage for their future ministry and the spread of the Gospel, which would itself require immense sacrifice from countless believers throughout history.

Analogies

One analogy for leaving "all we had" is like a seasoned sailor, deeply familiar with the sea and its currents, abandoning their sturdy ship and established routes to embark on a voyage into uncharted waters with a new captain whose promise is not of riches, but of a glorious destination. Another might be a successful entrepreneur liquidating their thriving business to invest all their capital and energy into a revolutionary, unproven startup, driven by a vision of its world-changing potential. In both cases, the existing security and known benefits are relinquished for the promise of something far greater, though the path to achieving it is uncertain and requires immense trust.

Relation to Other Verses

This verse finds resonance with numerous other biblical passages. Jesus' teachings on the cost of discipleship are echoed in verses like Matthew 10:37-39, where He states, "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me... and whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." It also connects to Matthew 13:44-46, the parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price, which illustrate the immense value of the Kingdom, making the sacrifice of everything else a logical and joyful decision. Furthermore, it aligns with Paul's sentiment in Philippians 3:7-8: "But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." Peter's statement is a practical demonstration of these principles.