What Does Luke 18:28 Mean?

Then Peter said, Look, we have let go of everything and followed you.

Luke 18:28 · SDV

Key words are shown with the Hebrew or Greek and what each word meant.

Selah Decoded Version The Selah Decoded Version renders what the Hebrew and Greek words meant to the people who first heard them.

This verse in the King James

King James wording

King James Version

Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.

THE KEY

The Greek verb for “left” also means to release, and elsewhere it names forgiveness, so leaving is an opening of the hand, not mere distance.

THE MEANING

This line brings release and direction into one movement: what is left behind no longer defines the path being followed. The word translated “left” also holds the sense of letting go, so “all” marks the breadth of the release. The verse keeps the cost of leaving and the pull of relationship together.

THE ROOT

ἀφήκαμεν

aphēkamen

GROWS FROM

ἀφίημι

aphiēmi

to send away, let go, release

“let go of everything” in this verse is aphēkamen. The verb can describe leaving something behind, releasing a hold, or forgiving a debt. The verse’s “left all” carries the force of release; the same verb’s use for forgiveness shows that release can also mean letting a claim go.

ALSO GROWS

aphienai: to leave, let go, release

ἀφιέναι

This infinitive form keeps the verb’s range visible: what Peter leaves is also something he releases from his hold.

aphesis: release, forgiveness, remission

ἄφεσις

This noun is used for forgiveness, showing that the same release can name letting go of a debt or accusation.

THE PATTERN

Following takes shape as release: the old claim loosens as a new direction opens.

And the LORD said to Abram, Go away from your land, from your land of birth, and from your father's house, to the land I will let you see.

Genesis 12:1 · SDVLeaving country and kin is paired with a destination the speaker will show, so departure opens into a way.

And when they had drawn the boats down to the land, they let go of everything and followed him.

Luke 5:11 · SDVThe boats and livelihood are left as the fishermen’s movement turns toward following.

By trust Abraham, called to go out into a place he would receive as an inheritance, heard and responded, and went out, not knowing where he was going.

Hebrews 11:8 · SDVDeparture and an unknown destination stand together, making release part of directed movement.

THE THREAD

And release our debts, as we also release our debtors.

Matthew 6:12 · SDV

The verb translated “left” in Luke 18:28 is the same verb translated “forgive” here. The shared root reveals release beneath both leaving a former hold and letting go of a debt.

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