What is the context?
Peter responds to the rich man's encounter by pointing out that the disciples have left everything and followed Jesus. He asks what there will be for them. Jesus answers with a promise reaching beyond what they have lost: the Son of Man on His glorious throne, the disciples sharing in judgment, and eternal life for those who have sacrificed for His name.
The word for renewal is παλιγγενεσία, palingenesia (pah-lin-ghen-eh-SEE-ah). Thayer's entry gives the ideas of new birth, renewal, and restoration, and understands this use as the great renewal of the world. Jesus places the disciples' service within that coming change.
He also promises a hundredfold to those who have left family, homes, or fields for His sake. Mark 10:28–31 speaks of receiving a new abundance of homes and family in the present age, along with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come. The promise holds care and costly discipleship together.
The final saying about first and last leads directly into the vineyard workers in Matthew 20:1–16. There the first workers resent the owner's generosity toward those hired last. That next story matters when considering how Jesus' promises should shape the disciples' expectations.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Christians commonly understand Jesus to be assuring His followers that their sacrifices are not forgotten and that they share in His coming kingdom. Wesley on 19:28–29 places the thrones in the final renewal and judgment and also recognizes present help for those who have given things up. The US Catholic bishops' note on 19:28 likewise favors a connection with the final judgment.
Readers differ over the emphasis of first and last. Wesley on 19:30 sees people called earlier receiving a lower reward than some called later. The US Catholic bishops' note on 19:30 points toward the following parable and the kingdom's benefits as God's gift to all who answer His call. Both readings ask the disciples to reassess greatness and reward in light of God's purposes.
Where does this fit in God's plan?
Jesus' promise belongs within Scripture's hope of restoration. Acts 3:19–21 connects repentance, Christ's return, and the restoration God announced through His prophets. In Luke 22:28–30, Jesus again promises His faithful disciples a place at His table and thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
The wider hope comes into view in Revelation 21:1–5: a new heaven and earth, God dwelling with His people, and the end of death and sorrow. The disciples' losses are set beside God's work of making all things new and bringing His people into life with Him.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.