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 18:29KJV
Know the Bible

Luke 18:29 (KJV)

What does Luke 18:29 mean?

Luke 18:29 records Jesus assuring his listeners that anyone who has given up home, family, or close relationships for the sake of God’s kingdom will not be overlooked or forgotten. Jesus is highlighting the real sacrifices some people make out of loyalty to God’s purposes.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to his disciples after a conversation about wealth and following him. He responds to Peter, who points out that the disciples have left everything to follow Jesus. The verse emphasizes that God recognizes the cost of such choices and values the commitment of those who put God’s kingdom first, even when it means leaving behind important parts of their lives.

The Greek behind Luke 18:29

  • "ἀφῆκεν" (aphēken, "left"): This word means to leave behind or abandon. Here, it stresses the real, sometimes painful, separation from family or possessions that following Jesus might require.
  • "ἕνεκεν" (heneken, "for the sake of"): This phrase means "because of" or "on account of." It clarifies that the sacrifice is not random but is specifically for the purpose of serving God's kingdom.
  • "βασιλείας τοῦ θεοῦ" (basileias tou theou, "kingdom of God"): This phrase refers to God’s reign or rule. It shows that the motivation for leaving these things is not personal gain, but devotion to God’s rule and mission.

Why Luke 18:29 matters

  • Luke 18:29 clarifies that Jesus acknowledges the real cost of discipleship, especially when it involves leaving behind family or security.
  • The verse reassures believers that such sacrifices are meaningful and seen by God, not wasted or ignored.
  • This statement connects to the wider passage about priorities, showing that following Jesus may require difficult choices, but those choices have significance in God’s eyes.

Where else these words appear

“parents” Greek G1118 · used in 18 verses

  • Matthew 10:21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
  • Luke 21:16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
  • John 9:23 Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him.

“for” Greek G1752 · used in 23 verses

  • Matthew 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
  • Mark 8:35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.
  • Luke 21:12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.

“house” Greek G3614 · used in 85 verses

  • Matthew 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
  • Mark 3:27 No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.
  • Luke 17:31 In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.

“children” Greek G5043 · used in 91 verses

  • Matthew 2:18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
  • Luke 19:44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.
  • Philippians 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;