Jesus' Teachings on Leaving Home and Family
Jesus' teachings frequently emphasize a radical reorientation of priorities, often requiring disciples to leave behind conventional attachments, including home and family, for the sake of the Gospel [2, 8, 9]. This theme is evident from the earliest calls to discipleship. For instance, when Jesus called Simon Peter and Andrew, they immediately left their nets to follow him. Similarly, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, left their father in the boat with the hired men to follow Jesus [9]. This act of "leaving" is not merely physical but signifies a profound commitment and a willingness to relinquish control over one's life [10].
The concept of "leaving" is central to the call to discipleship. The Greek word for "Exodus" literally means "going out" or "departure" [3], and this sense of departure from the familiar is a recurring motif. Jesus himself modeled this, as he "departed from there to teach and preach" [1]. He also stated that he had "no place even to lay his head," indicating the itinerant and often insecure nature of his ministry, which his followers were expected to embrace [7].
Jesus explicitly articulated the cost of discipleship in terms of family and possessions. In Mark 10:29, Jesus states, "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" [2]. This teaching is echoed in Matthew 19:29, where Jesus promises that "everyone that hath forsaken houses... or brethren or sisters, or father or mother, or wife or children, lands, for my name's sake" will receive a hundredfold and inherit eternal life [6]. John Gill clarifies that this does not necessarily mean a literal abandonment of all worldly possessions or relations, but rather a readiness to do so for the sake of the Gospel and a profession of faith [6].
The emphasis on spiritual relationships superseding biological ties is also prominent. When Jesus was told that his mother and brothers were outside seeking him, he responded by asking, "Who are my mother and my brothers?" He then declared, "Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother" (Mark 3:33-35). The Tyndale House commentary on Luke 8:21 interprets this not as a rejection of his family, but as an announcement that "spiritual relationships—being part of God’s family—supersede family ties" [4].
The disciples, such as Peter, understood this radical call. Peter once told Jesus, "We’ve left our homes to follow you" [5]. Jesus affirmed that those who make such sacrifices "would receive back far more than they had given up" [5]. This teaching underscores that following Jesus involves both commitment and cost [9], requiring disciples to be ready to go anywhere and give up security [7]. The willingness to suffer and even die for Christ is part of this relinquishment of control [10]. The ultimate reward for such radical abandon is vindication at the final judgment [10].
Sources
- Matthew “When Jesus had finished directing his twelve disciples, he departed from there to teach and preach in their cities. -- Matthew 11:1”
- King James Version “[KJV] Mark 10:29 — 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,”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Exodus — going out, departure”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 8:21: 8:21 those who hear God’s word and obey it: Jesus was not rejecting his family but announcing that spiritual relationships—being part of God’s family—supersede family ties.”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 18:28: 18:28-30 We’ve left our homes to follow you: In contrast to the rich ruler, Peter and the other disciples had given up everything to follow Jesus. Jesus affirmed that they would receive back far more than they had given up.”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 19:29: And everyone that hath forsaken houses,.... Not only the then disciples of Christ, but any other believer in him, whether at that time, or in any age, that should be called to quit their habitations, or leave their dearest relations, friends, and substance: as brethren or sisters, or father or mother, or wife or children, lands, for my name's sake; or, as in Luke, "for the kingdom of God's sake"; that is, for the sake of the Gospel, and a profession of it. Not that believing in Christ, and professing his name, do necessarily require a parting with all worldly subs”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 9:58: 9:58 no place even to lay his head: Any disciple of Jesus must be ready to go anywhere and to give up home and security.”
- Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 1:19: 1:19-20 Zebedee’s sons . . . leaving their father: Jesus later taught that this is the kind of thing that his followers will do (8:34-35; Matt 10:37-39).”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 4:20: 4:20-22 leaving the boat and their father: Following Jesus as his disciples involved both commitment and cost on the part of the brothers (see 8:18-22; 10:38; 16:24; 19:21).”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 16:25: 16:25 Jesus’ disciples must relinquish control of their lives, even to the point of being willing to suffer and die for Christ. Jesus promised that those who follow him with such radical abandon, though they may suffer now, will be vindicated at the final judgment (see 1 Pet 2:23).”