Definition: 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.
Explanation:
Okay, let’s break down this passage from Matthew 19:28. It's a really complex and often misunderstood verse, so we’ll take it step-by-step.
Here’s what it means in simpler terms:
Jesus is talking about the future – specifically, after Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection, and his eventual reign as King of the Universe. He’s saying this:
“If you truly followed me, then you will be seated on twelve thrones, judging people in Israel.”
Let's unpack that a little bit:
"And Jesus said unto them..."
: This is Jesus speaking directly to his followers (the ones he’s been teaching).
"...Verily I say unto you..."
: This phrase means "Truly, I tell you this." It’s a way for Jesus to emphasize the importance of what he's about to explain.
"That ye which have followed me..."
: This refers to all those who have believed in Jesus and are following his teachings.
"...in regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory..."
: This is the core of the message. “Regeneration” means a spiritual rebirth, a new beginning of life through faith in Christ. "The Son of man" refers to Jesus himself. “Sit in the throne of his glory” means to be given authority and power over God’s people.
"...ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones..."
: This is where it gets really interesting, and there's a lot of debate about what this
really
means. It suggests that Jesus intends for believers to have positions of leadership and responsibility within the Church, much like kings and nobles in ancient societies.
"...judging the twelve tribes of Israel."
: This is the crucial part. “The twelve tribes” refers to the 12 apostles – Peter, James, John, Philip, Mark, Luke, and Matthew (the original twelve). Jesus is saying that those who have followed him will be responsible for overseeing and governing the lives of Jewish people – specifically, the twelve tribes of Israel. This implies a very significant role for believers in the coming Kingdom.
Important Context & What it Means:
This passage is often interpreted as a preview of a future era where Jesus will establish his earthly reign and then ultimately claim dominion over all of creation. It’s not necessarily about literal, physical thrones. It's more symbolic, representing a position of authority and leadership for believers in the spiritual realm.
Different Interpretations:
Some see it as a promise of future kingship.
Others view it as a commentary on the importance of faithful discipleship and obedience to Jesus’ teachings.
Still others interpret it as a subtle challenge to those who are not fully committed to following Christ.
In short, this verse is a profound statement about the future role of believers in God's kingdom, emphasizing their leadership and responsibility within the Church.
---
Do you have any specific questions about this passage that you’d like me to answer? For example:
Are you curious about a particular interpretation?
Would you like me to explain a specific part of the verse in more detail?