Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 19:28

28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Mark and Luke repeateth the Words of Peter in part, but neither of them have this part of our Lords answer, particularly respecting his Apostles. We heard before, Ch. 4.18.21. of Peter, and Andrew, and Iames, and Iohns forsaking all, and following of Christ, when he called them, the others doubt [illegible: 2 letters]ss did the same: Peter observing, that our Saviour laid not the stress of Mens Salvation, either upon Riches, or Poverty, but upon the Frame of Mens Spirits, their Humility, Self-denyal, their Obedience to, and readiness to follow him; rejoyneth these Words, and saith, We have forsaken all, and followed thee, what shall we have? Some think, that he had an Expectation of something in this Life, according to the Notion which the other Iews had, and it is Apparant, the Disciples had some Tincture of a secular Kingdom, which the Messias should Exercise. But considering our Lords former Discourse, could not be so interpreted, and the Disciples question, Who then can be saved? I cannot agree that. And for the same reason I cannot agree, that the coming of the Son of Man in his Glory, mentioned v. 28. should be understood of his coming in his Mediatory Kingdom, (as some would have it) but of his last coming, which is most properly called, The coming of the Son of Man in his Glory, mentioned, 1 Thes. 4.15, 16, 17. Iud. & 14. and that the thing here Promised to the Apostles, is not a preference in the Church, but a further Degree of Honour, and Glory in the Day of Judgment. You which have followed me in the Regeneration: That is at this time, while I have been by my Doctrine Reforming the World. In the Regeneration of my Church, while I have been putting it into a new State. Some make those Words, In the Regeneration, to refer to the next Words. In the Regeneration: That is, In the day of Iudgment, when Christ shall come in his Glory. The Apostle indeed, Acts 3.21. calleth that day, The time of the Restitution of all things. And the Prophet speaks of it, as the time of the New Heavens, and New Earth, Is. 66.22. So doth the Apostle, 2 Pet. 3.13. and Iohn, in Rev. 21.1. It is not much material, to which part we apply the term. You that have followed me: That is, who have followed, and shall go on and follow me, for this Promise cannot belong to Iudas the Son of Perdition: You shall sit upon twelve Thrones. Iudges and Princes use to have Assessors, that sit with them in Judgment. He mentions twelve Thrones, because he had now twelve Disciples, his Apostles, and tho afterward Iudas fell away, yet Mathias succeeded, Acts 1.26. So as the twelve Thrones shall not be empty; but filled up with twelve that followed Christ (for such a one was Mathias▪ Acts 1.21.) Iudging the twelve Tribes of Israel. Tho the Tribes were thirteen, yet they usually went under the Notion of twelve, because Levi was not counted, as having no particular Possession: That is, judging the Iews for their Unbelief, and not reception of me: Judging others also▪ but Judgment shall begin at the House of God. Doubtless this Promise imports, that the Apostles shall have a higher place in Glory at the great Day than ordinary Believers: yet the Apostle saith the Saints shall Iudge the World, 1 Cor. 6.2.

Marginal references: Luk. 22.28, 29, 30.