What does Luke 18:30 mean?

Explanation

Luke 18:30 speaks to the rewards of discipleship and the sacrifices made for following Jesus.

It emphasizes that those who give up worldly possessions or relationships for the sake of the Kingdom of God will not only receive manifold (many times) more in this life but will also inherit eternal life in the age to come.

The phrase 'manifold more' suggests that the benefits of following Christ far outweigh any losses or sacrifices.

This verse underlines a key Christian principle: the prioritization of spiritual over material wealth and the promise of eternal rewards over temporary earthly gains.

Historical Context

This verse is part of a conversation between Jesus and a rich young ruler seeking eternal life, which appears in Luke 18:18-30.

Jesus instructs the ruler to sell everything he has and give it to the poor, and then to follow Him.

The young ruler, saddened by this, walks away because he is very wealthy.

Jesus responds by discussing the difficulty for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God, which leads to Peter stating that the disciples have left all to follow Him.

In response, Jesus assures the disciples that their sacrifices will be rewarded.

The context is a first-century Judean society where wealth was often associated with God's blessing, making Jesus' teaching counter-cultural.

Theological Insights

Different theological viewpoints may interpret this verse in various ways:

• From a Prosperity Gospel standpoint, the 'manifold more' might be taken as a promise for material blessings in this life.
• Mainline Protestant and Catholic teaching generally understand the "manifold more" to refer to spiritual blessings and the deepened relations within the community of believers, as well as the inner peace and contentment that comes with discipleship.
• Reformed Theology might emphasize the sovereignty of God in bestowing blessings and the idea of eternal rewards outweighing earthly sacrifices.
• Eschatological Views focus on the 'world to come' aspect, often discussing the nature of the afterlife and the concept of eternal life promised to believers.

Practical Applications

Practically, this verse encourages believers to:

• Make sacrifices in their personal lives for the sake of their faith, reassuring them of greater rewards both now and in eternity.
• Practice generosity, trusting that their needs will be met.
• Prioritize spiritual growth and communal relationships over material accumulation.
• Embrace contentment and peace that comes from a life following Jesus, rather than pursuing temporal satisfaction.

Cross-References

• Mark 10:29-30: "And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life."
• Matthew 19:29: "And every one that hath forsaken houses, 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 inherit everlasting life."
• Matthew 6:19-20: "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal."

Language Study

In the Greek, 'manifold more' is "πολλαπλασίονα" (pollaplasiona), which means much more, or many times over.

The phrase 'in this time' is "εν τω καιρω τουτω" (en tō kairō toutō), indicating the present age. 'World to come' translates to "εν τω αιωνι τω ερχομενω" (en tō aiōni tō erchomenō), referring to the age or eternity that follows current earthly life.

These language choices underscore the contrast between temporal and eternal views of reward and existence.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the context of other ancient myths and religious interpretations:

• Many other cultures and religions have notions of sacrifice now for rewards in the afterlife, such as the Norse concept of Valhalla for warriors who die in battle.
• Hinduism and Buddhism emphasize karma, where current actions result in future consequences, including rebirths.
• Ancient Greco-Roman philosophies sometimes viewed asceticism as a means to achieve virtue and spiritual enlightenment apart from material wealth.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific standpoint:

• Psychology might explore the concept of delayed gratification, where sacrifices now can lead to greater future rewards, as a healthy mental habit.
• Sociology could examine how religious beliefs influence social behavior and community cohesion, particularly with the practice of charity and social support.

Commentaries

Commentators have varying takes on this verse:

• Some see this as a radical call to social justice, suggesting the early Christian community practiced a form of social redistribution.
• Others argue it is about the renunciation of personal wealth for spiritual wealth, focusing on the internal transformation that accompanies such actions.
• Still, others warn against a literalistic interpretation that could lead to a prosperity theology, instead urging a balanced understanding of spiritual and material provision.