27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? 28 And Jesus said unto them, 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. (Matthew 19:27-28 KJV)
William Burkitt’s Commentary
The apostles having heard our Saviour’s command to the young man to sell all and give to the poor, St. Peter in the name of the rest, tells Christ, that they had left all, and followed him; Behold, we have left all.
Where, Note, How Peter magnifies that little which he had left for Christ, and ushers it in with a note of observation and admiration also, Behold! We have forsaken all, what shall we have then?
Learn thence, That although it be a very little that we suffer for Christ, and less that we have to forake upon his account, yet we are apt to magnify and extol it, as if it were some great matter, Lord, we have forsaken all. What all! His tattered fisher-boat, and ragged nets; scarce worthy to be mentioned: yet, how is it magnified! Behold! Lord, we have left all!
But observe our Lord’s kind and gracious answer; “You that have left all to follow me, shall be no losers by me; for in the regeneration, that is, at the resurrection, when believers shall be perfectly renewed, both in soul and body, and shall enjoy my kingdom, then, as I sit upon the throne of my glory, so shall you sit with me in a higher degree of dignity and honour, judging the twelve tribes of Israel; that is, the Jews first, for their unbelief, and then all other despisers of gospel grace and mercy.”
Learn, 1. That such ministers as do most service for Christ, and forsake most to follow him, shall in his kingdom partake of most honour and dignity with him and from him.
2. That as the ministers of Christ in general, so his twelve apostles in particular, shall sit nearer the throne of Christ, and have an higher place in glory at the great day, than ordinary believers.