The reward of voluntary poverty

St Matthew Chapter XIX : Verses 27-30

Contents

• Matt. xix. 27-30.  Douay-Rheims text & Latin text (Vulgate).
• Notes on the text.

Matt. xix. 27-30

You also shall sit on twelve seats judging the twelve tribes
of Israel. J-J Tissot. Brooklyn Museum.

27 Then Peter answering, said to him: Behold we have left all things, and have followed thee: what therefore shall we have?

Tunc respondens Petrus, dixit ei : Ecce nos reliquimus omnia, et secuti sumus te : quid ergo erit nobis?

28 And Jesus said to them: Amen, I say to you, that you, who have followed me, in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit on the seat of his majesty, you also shall sit on twelve seats judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Jesus autem dixit illis : Amen dico vobis, quod vos, qui secuti estis me, in regeneratione cum sederit Filius hominis in sede majestatis suae, sedebitis et vos super sedes duodecim, judicantes duodecim tribus Israel.

29 And every one that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall possess life everlasting.

Et omnis qui reliquerit domum, vel fratres, aut sorores, aut patrem, aut matrem, aut uxorem, aut filios, aut agros propter nomen meum, centuplum accipiet, et vitam æternam possidebit.

30 And many that are first, shall be last: and the last shall be first.

Multi autem erunt primi novissimi, et novissimi primi.

Notes

    27. Peter answering, said. As usual, St Peter is spokesman for the rest. His remark is not prompted by pride, but he wishes to know if the renunciation the apostles had made, would make it easier for them to save their souls.

    we have left all things. The apostles had done what the young man had refused to do. Although their all merely consisted of their nets and poor homes, yet these were as dear to them as the palace is to the rich man.

    what therefore shall we have ? Evidently St Peter is comparing their case with that of the rich young ruler, who was promised treasure in heaven, if he complied with our Lord’s invitation.

    28. Jesus said to them. The question was asked in the name of all, hence Jesus addresses all. This verse is peculiar to St Matthew.

    in the regeneration. Lit. “in the new birth” (παλιγγενεσίᾳ).

    Thus in the Apocalypse we read : And I saw a new heaven and a new earth. For the first heaven and the first earth was gone, and the sea is now no more .... And he that sat on the throne, said: Behold, 1 make all things new (xxi. 1, 5). The reference is to the second Advent of Christ, on twelve seats. Better, “ twelve thrones” (δώδεκα θρόνους). By this is meant all the apostles, which would include St Paul and St Matthias.

    judging the twelve tribes, etc. The Fathers understood this passage literally as signifying that the apostles will be associated with Christ at the last day, and will judge the faithful as His ministers. Cf. Know you not that the saints shall judge this world ? (1 Cor. vi. 2).

    29. every one that hath left, etc. Our Lord passes now to a general case, the reward of one, not necessarily an apostle, who had left all for Christ’s sake, and for the Gospel.

    shall receive an hundred fold, etc. Some MSS. read here “ manifold ” (πολλιπλασίονα). Both readings convey the same thought. The other Synoptists add here, in this present time. This temporal reward is to he understood as referring to spiritual blessings, — interior peace and joy. In the same way, the terms brethren, sisters, father, mother, children refer to those spiritual relationships which exist between the members of a religious community, their relations with their spiritual superiors, and the tie that binds the convert to his spiritual Father in Christ. All the apostles had given up their relations to follow Christ, St Peter left his wife, St James and St John left their parents, etc. St Mark adds, with persecutions. Jesus does not conceal the hardships that awaited them. Persecution must come from the world, whose teaching and principles are utterly repudiated by him who renounces all for Christ. Our Lord would have us look on persecutions as a blessing, since He says. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you untruly, for my sake. Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven (supra, v. 10-12).

    shall possess life everlasting. (ζωὴν αἰώνιον.) This is the eternal reward.

    30. many that are first, etc. This text has been variously interpreted—

    (1) Many who are first on earth will be last in heaven.

    (2) Some who were first called will fail to persevere, while others who enter Christ’s service later, will receive the eternal reward. Thus Judas forfeited his crown, and Saul the persecutor became a devoted apostle.

    (3) Our salvation depends, not only on our obeying the call of God, but on our perseverance in so doing.

    Note. — Both in St Matthew and St Mark we find, as a conclusion to this discourse, the solemn words : But many that are first, shall be last : and the last, first (St Mark x. 31). St Luke also gives these words, but in a different context : And behold, they are last that shall be first, and they are first that shall he last (xiii. 30).

Totus tuus ego sum

Et omnia mea tua sunt;

Tecum semper tutus sum:

Ad Jesum per Mariam.