1. Matthieu 19:28 (NEG79)
  2. Explication du texte

Will the disciples sit on the twelve thrones of judgment as a reward for having left everything and following Jesus?

Matthieu 19:28 (NEG79)

28 Jésus leur répondit: Je vous le dis en vérité, quand le Fils de l'homme, au renouvellement de toutes choses, sera assis sur le trône de sa gloire, vous qui m'avez suivi, vous serez de même assis sur douze trônes, et vous jugerez les douze tribus d'Israël.

En bref

Yes, in Matthew 19:28, Jesus does not dismiss Peter’s question in Matthew 19:27 as a selfish claim for reward, but answers it in all seriousness, to provide the twelve disciples with a special promise (as an addition to the general promise that would follow in Matthew 19:29). Jesus thus is not speaking of their twelve thrones of judgment as a reward to motivate the apostles to obey, but rather of rewarding their faithfulness and of the righteous recompense of God (see also Matthew 10:42; Matthew 25:21, Matthew 25:23).

Jesus’ poverty, from which the rich man recoiled (see Matthew 19:22), is the path of the son of Adam, to redeem the world. This is why these followers of Jesus, who share in his poverty, will be leaders in Israel.

Yes, in Matthew 19:28, Jesus does not dismiss Peter’s question in Matthew 19:27 as a selfish claim to receiving a reward, but answered it in all seriousness, using the opportunity to provide the twelve disciples with a special promise (as an addition to the general promise that would follow thereafter in Matthew 19:29). Jesus therefore did not here speak of their twelve thrones of judgment as a reward to motivate the apostles unto obedience, but rather of a reward as a consequence of faithfulness and as the righteous recompense of God (see also Matthew 10:42; Matthew 25:21,Matthew 25:23).1

Jesus’ poverty—from which the rich young man had just recoiled (see Matthew 19:22)—is the true path of the son of Adam, who redeems and restores the world. This is why the followers of Jesus, who now share in his poverty, will later be leaders in Israel.2