Matthew 19:29Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

For the Lord declared: If you wish to be perfect, sell your possessions and give to the needy, and you will have treasure in heaven (Matthew 19:21). This ensures that those who possess nothing might not think: ‘If I own nothing, I cannot attain perfection.’ Peter poses this question to Jesus so that the poor know that their lack of material wealth does not hinder them. Peter raises this inquiry not to impart knowledge from his own imperfect understanding (for he had not yet received the Spirit), but so that your conviction would come from the Master of Peter. Just as we often present the opinions of others and adopt them as our own, the apostle did the same by bringing Jesus this question in place of the entire universe. He was fully aware of his own destined role, as evident from prior discussions about him. Having received the keys to the heavenly kingdom, he was assured of inheriting its blessings. Observe how precisely he addresses Christ's expectations. Christ asked the rich man for two things: to give his belongings to the poor and to follow Him. Thus, the apostle highlights these same two actions: relinquishing his possessions and following Jesus.

To despise worldly goods, to hold virtue in high esteem, to anticipate rewards not in this life but in the life to come, and to possess a soul steadfast in faith, such that no present hardship can diminish hope for tomorrow—would you not agree this reflects profound wisdom? Would you like to see the might of the promises, the predictions, and the truth established in both the past and the future? Consider the golden thread of truths intricately woven from the very beginning. Christ shared with His disciples about Himself, the Church, and what would come to pass. In declaring these truths, He performed miracles, the fulfillment of which serves as evidence of their authenticity and the miraculous nature of His promises. To illustrate this further, consider the example of Lazarus, whom Christ raised to life with a single command. He also stated: ‘the gates of hell shall not prevail against’ the Church (Matt. 16:18); and additionally, “whoever shall leave father or mother shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit eternal life” (Matt. 19:29). Here lies one miracle—the resurrection of Lazarus—and two predictions, one of which is already fulfilled, while the other awaits future realization. Notice how all these affirm each other. One who doubts Lazarus's resurrection must acknowledge the miracle connected to the Church; for what had long been foretold concerning her has indeed come to pass: the gates of hell did not conquer the Church. Therefore, it becomes evident that the one who spoke the truth in prophecy also performed the miracle, and the miracle worker, having fulfilled what was promised, further spoke truthfully about what is to come: that those who disdain earthly possessions ‘shall receive a hundredfold and inherit eternal life.’

God, in His infinite wisdom and foresight, understanding humanity's need for divine grace, offers us not just future blessings but present ones as well. For Christ assured His disciples, ‘And everyone who forsakes houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit eternal life’ (Matthew 19:29).

When you disregard material wealth, you shall receive a bounty in return; consider what Christ professes: ‘And whoever forsakes houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit eternal life’ (Matthew 19:29).

When you disregard riches, you will ultimately gain them—pay heed to what Christ declares: ‘Everyone who forsakes houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit eternal life’ (Matt. 19:29).

Similarly, He speaks of the neglect of soul and body, not advocating self-harm. Observe how God, in His goodness, not only restores what we have surrendered but also grants us everlasting life. Consider selling your possessions and distributing to the needy. This ownership symbolizes the anger of the wrathful, the desires of the adulterer, and the vengefulness of the spiteful. Let go of these burdens and give them to those lacking goodness—essentially, to the influences of wickedness. By relinquishing your desires to those who embody them, you will be storing up treasure in heaven, particularly within your mind, elevated to divine heights. You can possess the kingdom of heaven within you by becoming like Him who transcends all heavens.

However, they fail to grasp that while the promise regarding many matters is indeed honorable, it would be inappropriate for someone who gives up a wife for the Lord to expect to receive a hundred in the future. The true interpretation is that one who sacrifices the earthly for the sake of the Savior will gain the spiritual, which, in light of the worth of his sacrifice, would be but a small fraction compared to the hundredfold. The apostle likewise states that those who have left behind even a modest home and trivial fields appear to possess nothing, yet they hold everything (2 Cor. 6:10). According to the updated Synodal Russian version: "We have nothing, yet possess everything."

Similarly, when He mentioned, “Whosoever shall leave his wife,” He was not advocating for the dissolution of marriages but rather that we should value Him, the Gospel, and the Kingdom of God above the bonds of marriage. The same principle applies to all familial ties and possessions. Mark (Mark 10:30) and Luke (Luke 18:30), discussing this further, indicate that such individuals will receive a hundredfold return in this life, meaning in this present age, along with eternal life in the age to come. This hundredfold signifies a reward many times greater, as emphasized by Luke.

But how can anyone receive a reward many times greater in the present age? It happens in the same way that the apostles, the martyrs, and all the righteous experienced it. It is evident that the homes of all believers were opened to them; instead of mere brothers and sisters, they gained countless holy spouses. Instead of fathers, they were surrounded by those who loved, cared for, and showed compassion, embodying the traits of a father. Instead of mothers, they found women who shared similar qualities; instead of wives, they were supported by those who served and nurtured them, reflecting the characteristics of a wife; instead of children, they were all disciples. Furthermore, they had at their disposal the fields of believers. Remarkably, they obtained all these blessings in the midst of persecution, as noted by Mark (Mark 10:30), being assailed by those opposed to the faith. Additionally, there could be a far greater reward in the gifts of healing, prophecy, and other spiritual blessings of this nature.

You may wonder how they received such abundant rewards in this life. Consider the days of the Apostles when believers were united in heart and soul, sharing all things in common as described in Acts 4:32-35. No one considered their possessions their own, and no one among them was in need, for all who owned land or houses sold them, bringing the proceeds to the Apostles. It becomes evident that anyone who gave up a single home during that time gained a hundredfold more, and anyone who left behind a father, mother, or sibling found countless fathers, mothers, and siblings among fellow believers.

Look at the Divine Apostles, the holy martyrs, and the venerable hermits: they left behind only one dwelling. Yet now, they possess innumerable places of worship in their names. They may have left one father or mother and perhaps a few brothers or sisters, or even a spouse and children, but to this day, a multitude of Christians—men and women, young and old, from every walk of life—honors them, venerates them, and offers gifts in the name of the Lord, asking for their intercession before God. And just as the God-man demonstrates His fair and compassionate reward, He also declares: "Many who are first will be last, and the last will be first" (Matthew 19:30).

If others receive rewards, how much more the apostles, who indeed have experienced this. Having abandoned their nets and their old lives, the apostles gained the ability to possess the hearts of many; they were even willing to sacrifice their lives for the sake of the Gospel, as the apostle Paul notes, “If it were possible, ye would cast out your eyes and give them to me” (Galatians 4:15).

The beginning of apostolic judgment against the Jews was already evident on earth, as noted by the Venerable Macarius of Egypt; Peter initiated this judgment by proclaiming, “Jesus of Nazareth, the Husbandman witnessed to you from God by powers and miracles ... betrayed, you took him, and nailed him with lawless hands, and killed him” (Acts 2:22-23). The Holy Spirit continues to reign in their hearts and minds. St. Philaret observes that alongside these twelve judges, many more will be added. Indeed, the Apostle asserts that not just the Apostles, but all saints will partake in judging the tribes (Prem. 3:8). This notion is reinforced by the prophet, who clearly indicates that this honor of judgment is bestowed upon all His saints (Ps. 149:9).

John the Theologian, who delved into the mysteries of Christ, mirrors this understanding in Revelation. The Lord’s instruction, “Whosoever shall leave his wife,” does not imply dissolving marriages without cause; similarly, when He said that losing one’s soul for His sake results in saving it (Matt. 10:39), He did not intend for us to harm ourselves or to separate the soul from the body. Rather, He calls us to prioritize righteousness above all else, which includes leaving behind family if required. This resonates particularly during times of persecution, where some parents turned against their children, and wives against their husbands. Therefore, the Lord urges, “leave both wife and father,” a message echoed by the apostle Paul, who wrote, “If an unbeliever wishes to divorce, let him divorce” (1 Cor. 7:15).

Euthymius Zigabenus, an ancient interpreter, points out that all the homes of believers were open to those in need; the saints became brothers and sisters to them, loving them as fathers and offering mothers in the form of sisters. All that believers possessed was shared amongst them, which is indeed a marvelous act of unity, especially in the face of persecution from foes of the faith.

To the heart of the believer walking in God’s will, the Lord stands as brother, sister, and mother, surpassing all earthly kinship in a truly profound manner. He brings peace, joy, consolation, and an abundance of grace to their spirits.

The detachment from worldly attachments is genuine; it exemplifies the highest degree of spiritual perfection, akin to what is stated regarding celibacy, “not all can accept this teaching; only those to whom it has been given.” Through the phrase “who shall leave his wife,” the Lord does not imply that marriages should be terminated without justification. Additionally, it seems that He alludes to the persecutions that arise, as during that time many parents and spouses were led astray by wicked influences. Therefore, when such demands are placed upon you, the Lord instructs, leave both wife and father. “‘He shall receive a hundredfold’: this is for what is relinquished; the reward is undoubtedly not material or worldly, but spiritual, granting the promise of eternal life in the heavenly kingdom of Christ.

One remarked, "I have purchased a field, and I need to go and see it; I cannot attend to the care of my soul." Another stated, "I have bought oxen, and I must test them; therefore, I have no time for my spiritual well-being." A third said, "I have taken a wife, and I cannot forsake her." Is this not still the case today when we are called to fulfill acts of devotion? How often do individuals postpone their spiritual responsibilities to address the demands of family, home, neighbors, and friends? These distractions often lead us away from the path of salvation.

Household management can foster greed, resentment among neighbors, and, for some, a burdensome life akin to servitude. The pursuit of sustenance can devolve into extravagance and self-indulgence, while blind attachment to family may lead to excessive leniency toward their desires and moral decline. Moreover, societal expectations can compel one to engage in flattery, deceit, and duplicity to satisfy friends, to deprive one’s family of essentials to adorn a spouse, or to incur debt to provide for children. Those who refuse to conform to such pressures may find themselves ostracized or scorned by society, their families may turn against them. Is salvation attainable for someone who seeks to please such entities?

Indeed, there have been many saints who balanced family life with piety without forsaking their loved ones; their parents guided them in divine reverence, their spouses supported them in righteous endeavors, and their children manifested joy through virtuous conduct. They managed domestic affairs without neglecting their relationship with God or their commitment to righteousness. In such circumstances, to abandon their families would have been sinful. Therefore, we are called to love our parents, spouses, and children, to care for our families, and to tend to our homes as long as these responsibilities do not hinder our love for God, our salvation, or our pious activities. If those closest to us distract us from our devotion to God and demand immoral actions, then we may be compelled to disregard their influence, akin to a father who must resist his wayward son when the latter seeks what is harmful.

To be more straightforward, if our parents, spouses, children, home, or relatives obstruct our spiritual growth, we must prioritize our salvation over these relationships. However, if they do not interfere with our pursuit of spiritual well-being, abandoning them would be sinful, even for the sake of one's soul. Amen.