Paragraph 10:28–31

The rich young man was not willing to sell all his possessions and give the money to the poor in order to follow Jesus (10:22). But the disciples had left all their possessions and family to follow Jesus. Jesus told them that God would indeed reward them for this (10:29–31).

10:28

Peter began to say to Him: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as Peter began to say to Him indicates that Peter started a conversation with Jesus. Many English versions simply translate the Greek phrase with a verb that means “said” (as in the New International Version).

Look, we have left everything and followed You: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Look indicates that Peter wanted Jesus to especially notice and listen to his statement. This word can be difficult to translate in a natural way in English, so some English versions do not translate it. For example, the New International Version has:

We have left everything to follow you!

Also, the word we is emphasized in Greek. If there is a natural way in your language to emphasize the word we, you may want to do so. For example:

Look, as for us, we have left everything and followed you.
-or-
What about us? We have left everything to follow you. (Revised English Bible)

have left everything: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as have left means “left behind” or “abandoned.” This word indicates that the disciples thought that following Jesus was more important than keeping their possessions. Whether they gave away their possessions or just left them with relatives is not known.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

abandoned everything we owned
-or-
put aside all that we owned

and followed You: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and introduces the purpose for which the disciples left everything. They left everything in order to follow Jesus. Some English versions use a word like “to” to indicate that following Jesus was the purpose for which the disciples left everything. Connect the clauses in a natural way in your language.

Here is another way to translate this clause:

to follow you (New International Version)

The expression followed You is meant both literally and figuratively. The disciples did literally follow Jesus wherever he went. They also figuratively “followed him” in the sense that they learned from him and were his disciples. If people in your area will not understand the figurative language, you may want to use nonfigurative language. For example:

and followed you as your disciples
-or-
and followed you and learned from you

See how you translated this expression in 1:17a or 10:21e.

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