Matthew 19:27-28 (also in Mk. 10:28-31; Lu. 18:28-30)

Then Peter said to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?” 28 And Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Before this text there seemed to be a long stretch of time when Peter kept silent; at least nothing was recorded. However, Jesus ministry was constant (and I’m sure Peter and the others were taking everything in and being awed by what Jesus was doing). They traveled from village to village, and Jesus was teaching and healing many.

While on His way to Jerusalem for the last time, He encountered a rich young ruler who asked Him what he must do to inherit eternal life (Luke 19:16-26). When Jesus told him that he must keep the commandments, the man said that he had already kept them. But when Jesus said that he must also sell his possessions and give the money to the poor and follow Him, the ruler went away with a sad face because he knew he could not do that.

Then Jesus turned to His disciples and told them how hard it was for the rich to enter into heaven. He said that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. The disciples were astonished and wondered who then could ever be saved. But Jesus came to their rescue and said, “All things are possible with God.”

At this point a light flashed in Peter’s head because he realized that he and his comrades, unlike the rich man, had left everything to follow Him.

Well, Jesus was more than willing to tell them what was to come for them. They would reign with Him on His throne (a reference to the earthly kingdom; but then later in heaven we all will reign forever with Him, Rev. 22:5).