Mar 10:29 ...There is no man that hath left house or brother...
Mar 10:29 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,
Alternative: I repeat the truth to you: There is no one that lets go of his house or brothers or sisters or father, mother or wife or children or country for the sake of me and the reward of good tidings.
This verse seems to cover all aspects of the realm of relationship, which Christ deems the most important area of our temporary life on earth. (More on the concept of "a house" and family at Mar 3.33.)
The list of eight types of relationships also indicates the use of the pattern of three plus one, repeated twice as it was in the Beatitudes. If the symbol pattern is the same, we get an extended key of Christ's symbolic system. House and mother symbolize the spiritual realm. Father and lands symbolize the physical realm. Brother and wife symbolize the emotional realm, and sister and children symbolize the mental realm.
This larger key is consistent with Christ's symbol of the Father as the physical aspect of the eternal as the Creator, the Son (child) as the mental aspect of the eternal as the Word, and, interestingly, and the Spirit as the relationship aspect of the eternal.
While at first glance, this verse seems to be saying that we should sacrifice our relationships for the reward of the good news, a closer reading seems to say that opposite: that no one lets go of these relationships for the sake of Christ and the reward he offers. More on the concept of the reward of the "good news" at Mar 8:35.
"Verily" is from amên (amen), which is from the Hebrew, meaning "truly," "of a truth," and "so be it." It has not history in Greek before the NT.
"Say" is from legô (lego) means literally "pick up," but it used to mean "recount," "tell over," "say," "speak," "teach," and "command."
"Is" is from eimi (eimi), which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," and "is possible." (The future form is esomai. The 3rd person present indicative is "esti.")
"No man" is from oudeis, (oudeis) which means "no one," "not one," "nothing," "naught," "good for naught," and "no matter."
"Leaves" is from aphiêmi (aphiemi), which means "to let fall," "to send away," "to let loose," "to get rid of," "to leave alone," "to pass by," "to permit," and "to send forth from oneself." This is the same word that is usually translated as "leave," "forgive," "suffer," and "let" in the New Testament.
"House" is oikia, which means "house," "building," and "household." It was also the term that was used to describe a family or clan and the people associated with that family or clan, such as their servants and slaves.
"Brethren" is from adelphos (adelphos),which means "son of the same mother," "kinsman," "colleague," "associate," and "brother."
"Sister" is from adelphê (adelpe), which means "sister," and "kinswoman."
"Father" is from pater (pater), which means "father," "grandfather," "author," "parent," and "forefathers."
"Mother" is from mêtêr (meter), which means "mother," "grandmother," "mother hen," "source," and "origin."
"Wife" is from gunê (gyne), which means "woman (as opposed to man)," "wife," "spouse," "mortal woman (as opposed to a goddess)," and "female mate (among animals)."
"Children" is from teknon (teknon), which means "that which is born," "child," and "the young."
"Lands" is from agros (agros), which means "field," "lands," or "country."
"For this cause" is from heneka (heneka), which means "on account of," "as far as regards," "in consequence of," and "because."
"Gospels" is from euangelion (euaggelion) a "reward of good tidings," a "thank offering for good tidings, " "good news," and "good tidings." Originally, this terms described a reward, like a tip, given to a messenger who brought good news.
