The Meaning of Luke 18:28 Explained

Luke 18:28

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

YLT: And Peter said, 'Lo, we left all, and did follow thee;'

Darby: And Peter said, Behold, we have left all things and have followed thee.

ASV: And Peter said, Lo, we have left our own, and followed thee.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Luke 18:28 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Peter reminded Jesus that the Twelve had done what the rich young ruler had been unwilling to do (cf. Luke 14:26-27). His comment, as Luke and Mark recorded it, was an implicit request for assurance that they would enter the kingdom (cf. Mark 10:28).
"It is surprising that, although generally Jesus does not think in terms of seeking reward, here he is prepared to respond to Peter"s saying. This suggests that Peter"s question was not regarded by the Evangelists as an implicit claim for a selfish reward. Rather it is seen as an opportunity to give a promise that self-denial for the sake of the kingdom will be vindicated." [1]

Context Summary

Luke 18:18-30 - The One Thing Needful
The young ruler was a man of irreproachable character. He might have said of himself all that the Apostle Paul says in Philippians 3:4, etc. But he was restless and unsatisfied. He felt that Jesus had the key to a life deeper than he had experienced, and he longed to possess it. He was so much in earnest that he knelt in the crowded thoroughfare before the despised Nazarene, Mark 10:17.
He did not know himself. He thought he possessed that love which fulfills the Law, Romans 13:10. Our Lord desired to prove to him that he was deficient in that love, and therefore could not have the eternal life which is love. He did this by suggesting that the young ruler should renounce all and accompany Him in a self-giving for others that must end in a cross. But he shrank back. He dared not face a life of simple faith in God for the supply of temporal needs, and of absolute self-giving to a cross. For all who dare this, whatever is right and good is given back to be held and used under God's direction. [source]

Chapter Summary: Luke 18

1  Of the importunate widow
9  Of the Pharisee and the tax collector
15  Of Children brought to Jesus
18  A ruler would follow Jesus, but is hindered by his riches
28  The reward of those who leave all for his sake
31  He foretells his death;
35  and restores a blind man to sight

Greek Commentary for Luke 18:28

Our own [τα ιδια]
Our own things (home, business, etc.). Right here is where so many fail. Peter speaks here not in a spirit of boastfulness, but rather with his reactions from their consternation at what has happened and at the words of Jesus (Plummer). [source]
All [πάντα]
The best texts read τὰ ἴδια , our own. So Rev.sa40 [source]

What do the individual words in Luke 18:28 mean?

Said then - Peter Behold we having left the own followed You
Εἶπεν δὲ Πέτρος Ἰδοὺ ἡμεῖς ἀφέντες τὰ ἴδια ἠκολουθήσαμέν σοι

Εἶπεν  Said 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: λέγω  
Sense: to speak, say.
  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Πέτρος  Peter 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: Πέτρος  
Sense: one of the twelve disciples of Jesus.
Ἰδοὺ  Behold 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Active, 2nd Person Singular
Root: ἰδού  
Sense: behold, see, lo.
ἀφέντες  having  left 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀφίημι 
Sense: to send away.
ἴδια  own 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: ἴδιος  
Sense: pertaining to one’s self, one’s own, belonging to one’s self.
ἠκολουθήσαμέν  followed 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 1st Person Plural
Root: ἀκολουθέω  
Sense: to follow one who precedes, join him as his attendant, accompany him.