COMMENTARY ON MARK
LESSON NUMBER 114
“ Mark 10:28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed Thee. 29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My sake, and the gospel's, 30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. 31 But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.”
(Mark 10:28-31; Matthew 19:27-30; Lk 18:28-30)
WHAT OF THOSE WHO LEAVE EVERYTHING?
INTRODUCTION
There are those who, like the rich young ruler, cannot forsake competing interests for Christ. They do not see in Him something worth the forfeiture of other things. Therefore, they never really commit themselves to Christ and the Gospel. Their full heart is never in the matter, but they maintain other interests that are related to this present evil world. They are easily distracted from Jesus, and often go their way sorrowing because they cannot let go of things that keep them from following Him. They sense that they are losing something, but the world seems worth it all. Temporal relationships and things are overestimated and embraced at the expense of the things of the Spirit of God. It all seems quite reasonable to them because they have been deceived. They do not see the world as passing away. They perceive time as a period in which to gather as much of this world as they can. They cannot see it as the time of testing and proving their worthiness to dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Such souls appear to be in the vast majority of professing Christians. That is the reason for the prevailing spiritual ignorance that exists in the modern church. However, there are those who see in Jesus and the Gospel something worthy of all of the heart, soul, mind, and strength. They are quite willing to put themselves at an earthly disadvantage if it means they can follow Him, be taught by Him, and receive from his hand. Of all the passing interests in this world, the Gospel is seen as towering above them all.
WE HAVE LEFT ALL AND HAVE FOLLOWED THEE
“ Mark 10:28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.”
Peter now makes an association between Jesus’ words and the fact that they have left everything to follow Him. The rich young man Jesus had just encountered was not willing to leave what he had, but Peter and the disciples had been willing to leave what they had. Peter was not speaking out of a sense of covetousness, for neither he nor the other disciples had followed Jesus for that reason.
In particular, Jesus had just spoken to a young man about having “treasure in heaven” (Mk 10:21). That appears to be the word that had captured Peter’s attention. He knew well that the Master was not speaking about worldly riches, for Jesus had said the treasure would be “in heaven.” The young man that had went his way sorrowing did not see in Jesus something worth the loss of his worldly status and possessions. By way of comparison, Peter reminds Jesus that he and the eleven had, in fact, left everything to follow Jesus.
WE HAVE LEFT ALL. The text says “Peter began to say . . . Lo, we have left all.” That is, he had considerable to say on this subject. He was not boasting, for even at this time, they knew better than to boast in the presence of the Lord. He was telling the truth; they had “left all,” choosing to follow Jesus instead of remaining where they were. That meant staying with Jesus, living with Him, traveling with Him, and remaining with Him wherever He went. From one point of view, Jesus had “called” them (Simon and Andrew Matt 4:19, James and John 21; Matthew Mk 2:14; Lk 5:27; Philip John 1:43). They had, indeed, followed Jesus. He had summoned the rich young ruler to “follow” him also, but he did not (Mk 10:21-22).
THEY LEFT ALL. Matthew reads, “we have forsaken all” (Matt 19:27). The word “left” emphasizes the outward departing, while “forsaken” accents the heart, or attitude. In other words, they forfeited what they had in order to remain with Jesus.
The Gospels provide some detail on what the disciples did. Upon being called by Jesus to follow Him, Simon and Andrew “forsook their nets and followed Him” (Mk 1:18). When Jesus called James and John, “they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed Him” (Matt 4:22). Mark says “they left their father Zebedee in the ship with his hired servants, and went after him” (Mk 1:20). Luke says of the calling of Simon, Andrew, James, and John, “they forsook all and followed Him” (Lk 5:11). When Matthew was called, “ he left all, rose up, and followed him” (Luke 5:28). When Philip was called, he found Nathanael and took him with him to Jesus (John 1:44-46).
Ponder what they had done. They left their means of subsistence. They discarded their old habits, or ways of living from day to day. They also walked away from their associations to devote themselves to the Lord Jesus. And how is it that these men made such a sacrifice? They did all of this before Jesus publicly laid down the requirements for discipleship (Matt 16:24; Lk 9:23-24). There was no moral law that compelled them to do this. They were certainly not outwardly coerced or forced into doing so.
They did this in response to two words: “Follow Me!” Their hopes were suspended on these words, and they were uttered at the threshold of Christ’s ministry, not after His teaching and manners were fully known. Among other things, this confirms the compelling nature of the voice of Christ to those who have ears to hear. Jesus told His disciples of the era of the New Covenant during which His voice would be heard on a large scale. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live” (John 5:25). He was speaking of rising from death in trespasses and sins, for he later spoke of His voice raising all who are in the graves as well (John 5:28-29). Paul confirms the power of Christ’s voice in his letter to the Ephesians. “But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard Him, and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus” (Eph 4:20-21).
WHAT SHALL WE HAVE? Matthew gives a fuller account of Peter’s words: “Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?” (Matt 19:27). Peter had taken hold of the words Jesus spoke to the young ruler: “and thou shalt have treasure in heaven.” Now, he asks what they will have, considering they have left everything. All of the implications of Peter’s words are not clear. Some believe he was speaking of earthly prominence, such as was suggested by the inquiry into Jesus restoring the kingdom to Israel (Acts 1:6). However, I am not sure that is the most proper view of Peter in particular, and the twelve in general. Earlier, Peter is the one who said to Jesus, “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). There really is no need for us to speculate about Peter’s meaning, or have a demeaning view of him. Jesus’ answer contains no rebuke, and that should be enough to convince us Peter’s motives were pure. The Lord did not answer him as he did the rich young ruler, but gave a very favorable reply.
THERE ARE THOSE WHO HAVE LEFT MUCH
“ 29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's.”
IN THE REGENERATION. Matthew provides the fuller answer of Jesus, identifying what he said directly to the apostles themselves. “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” (Matt 19:28). The expression “the regeneration” speaks of the time when death will be swallowed up in victory (1 Cor 15:54). It is after the resurrection of the dead. It is the time when the whole creation will be “delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God” (Rom 8:21). This is the environment to which Peter referred when he wrote, “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (2 Pet 3:13). It is when the promise will be completely fulfilled, “Behold, I make all things new” (Rev 21:5). Then the ancient word of Isaiah will be fulfilled, “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth” (Isa 65:17). Here is a word that will be fulfilled after the present heavens and earth have passed away, the dead are raised, and the destinies of all men have been announced. This is a word addressed to “hope,” which always extends beyond this world.
THE THRONE OF HIS GLORY. The time of reference is also when Jesus will sit “upon the throne of His glory,” or “on His glorious throne.” NASB This is when Jesus will be seen just as He is, with no separating veil between Him and the people. This is not an earthly throne, for it is not possible for such a throne to be a glorious one. “Glory” is the antithesis of this world, which cannot accommodate beholding it. No one will behold Christ enthroned in glory until that which is in part is done away. Only then will we “see Him as He is” (1 John 3:1-2). This is the time when the Father will unveil Jesus in all of his glory, and men will see Him as he is, even at this present time, enthroned and with all power (1 Tim 6:15).
TWELVE THRONES AND JUDGMENT. This has reference to reigning with Christ (2 Tim 2:12), and sitting with Him in His throne (Rev 3:21). It also relates to judging the world (1 Cor 6:2). All who are involved in these activities will not be at the same level. Because of the ranking of the apostles, they will have special privileges that will be in perfect accord with their choice by Jesus and ministry for Him. This does not refer to the apostles’ judgment and supervision in this world, for Jesus expressly states in “the regeneration.” Revelation depicts this as the names of the apostles being written on the twelve foundation stones of the glorified church (Rev 21:4). That is, they will hold a prominent place in glory, commensurate with their placement in the body (1 Cor 12:28). It is possible that “the twelve tribes” includes all of the church, for the believing Gentiles have been grafted into the Jewish tree – “in among them” (Rom 11:17). I am inclined to think it has more specific regard to the saved among the Jews, for in the world, the twelve were especially sent to the Jews, or “the circumcision” (Gal 2:7).
THERE IS NO MAN. What Jesus is going to say is not specifically tailored for a rich young ruler, or even for the disciples. This is an answer for all people. It is a principle by which the Kingdom is governed, and is true wherever the conditions specified are found. By saying, “There is no man,” Jesus means that there are no exceptions to this rule.
THAT HATH LEFT. Other versions read, “has given up,” BBE “hath forsaken,” GENEVA “gave up,” GWN “that leaveth,” MRD and “given up and left.” AMPLIFIED The word “left” comes from a very strong Greek word which means, “to send from oneself, to send away, to bid depart . . . to let go, let alone, disregard, and to allow not to hinder.” THAYER This word speaks more of an attitude or posture of soul than of a physical action – although the outward action is involved. The idea is that where there is a clash between following Jesus and these things, the true disciple will let go of them, not attaching the value to them that the flesh suggests.
You will see at once that these words cannot fit into the modern concept of following Jesus or being a Christian. They are, however, spoken by the Lord, and are the unvarnished truth. His words assume that there is a distinct possibility of a sharp conflict between following Him and the things mentioned – that it is possible to have to make a choice between Him and them.
HOUSE and LANDS. Examples of this took place in the early church (Acts 2:45; 4:34,37).
BRETHREN, SISTERS, FATHER, MOTHER. Jesus left His parents, brothers, and sisters in the service of His Father (Matt 12:49). This is to be balanced with honoring one’s parents, but even in that matter, they will take a back seat to Jesus.
WIFE, CHILDREN. I gather that this refers specifically to abstaining from marriage, as Paul did, forfeiting his right to be married (1 Cor 7:7; 9:5).
FOR MY SAKE AND THE GOSPEL’S. This involved a choice to follow Jesus (“for My sake”), and doing His work (“and for the Gospel’s”). Luke says, “for the kingdom of God’s sake” (Lk 18:29). Such things are forsaken because, for some, they prove to be inhibitive.
STATUS AND COMPENSATION WITH PERSECUTIONS
“ 30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. 31 But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.”
THE FORFEITURE. At some point, the individual must perceive that, by their very nature, property, relatives, and family are all secondary to Jesus, the Gospel, and the Kingdom of God. If that is not the case, these words have no meaning. This does not mean that in all cases they are to be forfeited. Peter was married (Mk 1:30). Elders are depicted as having a house and family (1 Tim 3:4). Godly men are admonished to care for their own households (1 Tim 5:8). However, some are called to high stations in the Kingdom – stations that do not allow for an ordinary life in this world. For them, in order to fulfill their calling, they must leave more than the common person. These are the kind of people to which Jesus refers.
RECEIVING AN HUNDREDFOLD. What God gives to the sacrificing one is vastly superior to what was sacrificed – “an hundredfold,” which is “a hundred times as many.” NLT It makes the person forget what was forfeited, and rather glory in what was received. This is not intended to mean a count – like one house being given up, and 100 houses given in return. It rather accents that what is given is more valuable that what was given up – like one large diamond for 10 worthless rocks.
NOW IN THIS TIME. That is, in this world the Lord will “load” the sacrificing one with “benefits” (Psa 68:19) – like “days of heaven upon the earth” (Deut 11:21). These are included in the expression “all spiritual blessings” (Eph 1:3). It cannot refer to earthly possessions such as those that were forfeited. How would it be possible for such to be forfeited because of their distracting and competing nature (which is the only reason to leave them), only to have them given back in the same form and in abundance? The things that are given in abundance – an hundredfold – are included in the following classifications: winning Christ, being found in Him with a righteousness that comes from faith, knowing Christ, realizing the power of His resurrection, and participating in the fellowship of His sufferings (Phil 3:8-10). The overall description of this plentitude is “life . . . more abundantly” (John 10:10). It is another view of the “first fruits” from the homeland that are experienced while we are “absent from the Lord” (Rom 8:23; 2 Cor 5:6).
HOUSES . . . etc. If things were forfeited for Jesus’ sake, the Gospel’s sake, and for the Kingdom of God, then the compensation for such sacrifice will be found in fellowship, with Christ, laboring in the Gospel, and participating in the Kingdom of God. Now, in the work of the Lord, the houses of the people of God are opened to us when needed, as Lydia’s house was to Paul (Acts 16:15). All of Christ’s brothers and sisters are made available to us for spiritual profit (Acts 11:29; 1 Tim 5:2). There are saintly “mothers” who minister to us, as Rufus’ mother did to Paul (Rom 16:13), or to whom we minister, as John did to Mary (John 19:27). There are children, begotten in the Gospel, like Timothy (2 Tim 2:1) and Onesimus (Phile1:10) were to Paul, and Marcus to Peter (1 Pet 5:13). There are lands in which safety is realized from danger, like the Isle of Melita was to Paul when he was shipwrecked with 273 souls (Acts 27:44). No person engaged in Kingdom endeavors, out of a love for and devotion to Jesus and the Gospel, will be put to an ultimate disadvantage. Even the earth will “help the woman,” with people and circumstances being orchestrated from heaven for their benefit.
WITH PERSECUTIONS. Alas, there is a sense in which there is a price tag associated with the sacrificial life. This is the appointed means of sifting out the pretentious and hypocritical. The truth of the matter is that we have been delivered from the world (Gal 1:4), called out from among the people (Acts 15:14), and made a separated, or peculiar, people for the Lord (Tit 2:14; 1 Pet 2:9). That condition is what provokes the persecution. The world senses the separateness of those who have lost a love for it. Therefore, as it is written, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim 3:12).
IN THE WORLD TO COME. This world is not the only world, and our experiences in it are not the only experiences. There is “the world to come” – after “the heavens and earth which now are” shall have passed away (2 Pet 3:7). It is what is experienced in that eternal order that is the fundamental issue. For those who sacrificed for Jesus and the Gospel, He affirms they will have “eternal life.” That is, eternal life in its fulness, of which we now experience the pledge. Then there will be nothing that will have the element of corruption or decay in it.
FIRST AND LAST. Jesus intends here to squelch the tendency to think primarily of life in this world. The “first,” or most prominent in this world, maybe be the least prominent in the world to come. The “last” in this world could be the most outstanding in the world to come. The general rule is that the more of this world one possesses, the least of the ages to come will be enjoyed. This is not an inflexible rule for everyone, for Jesus says “many,” not all. Those who are first in privilege in this world, are not necessarily the most favored of God. “The world to come” is the place where the measure of Divine favor will be fully revealed. Let us live with that in mind.