Peter expected a kingdom reward — the promise that he and the other disciples would sit on twelve thrones ruling the twelve tribes of Israel when Christ's kingdom was established.
Peter already knew he had salvation, so when he said, "Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?" he was asking about an additional reward, not his eternal life. Jesus answered that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, the disciples would also sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Les Feldick emphasizes that this kingdom promise remained uppermost in Peter's thinking.
Matthew 19:27-28 — This is the exact exchange in which Peter asks what he and the others will receive and Jesus promises them twelve thrones in the coming kingdom.
When Peter asked, "Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?" Jesus answered, "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." The disciples' question was about reward for leaving everything to follow Jesus, and the answer was a promise of ruling thrones in the coming kingdom. Acts 1:6 shows the same expectation continuing, as the disciples asked, "Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?"
Les Feldick repeatedly points out that Peter was not asking about salvation — Peter knew he already had that. Peter's question "What shall we have therefore?" was about reward and compensation for leaving his fishing nets, his family, and his occupation to follow Jesus. Jesus' answer was specific: in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits in the throne of His glory, the disciples will sit on twelve thrones ruling the twelve tribes of Israel. Les explains that the regeneration is the time when the curse is lifted and the earth is made over like it was in the Garden of Eden. This kingdom prospect was "just uppermost in their thinking," which is why the disciples later asked whether Jesus would restore the kingdom to Israel.
Les Feldick says Peter was not talking about his salvation; he knew he had it. Peter instead asked what he and the others would receive as a reward for forsaking all to follow Jesus. The Bible records his question: "Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?" Peter had left his fishing occupation — something he loved — as well as his family to follow Jesus.
Jesus replied that those who had followed Him in the regeneration would also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Les explains that "regeneration" means restoring something back to its original condition, and here it refers to the earth being regenerated like the Garden of Eden, with the curse lifted and the kingdom set up. The promise was specifically to the eleven — Judas was excluded.
The twelve were so expectant of the King setting up His kingdom that it filled every moment of their existence. In Acts, Peter preached to the nation of Israel that the One they crucified was indeed their King, and if they would believe it, the King would yet return and they could have the Kingdom and all the Old Testament promises. The group's question in Acts 1 — "Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?" — reflects the same expectation of ruling the twelve tribes.
In Acts 3, Peter spoke in terms of the kingdom promised all the way back to Abraham, saying that when their Messiah would return based on Israel's repentance and believing who Jesus is, God would send Christ. But Les notes there had to be a seven-year interlude — the seven years of tribulation that Daniel spoke of — before the "times of restitution." That restitution is the earth being restored and the kingdom being set up.
Peter's Kingdom Expectation in Acts 3
Les shows that Peter's kingdom expectation continued into Acts 3, where Peter spoke of Israel's repentance, the Messiah's return, and the seven-year tribulation before the times of restitution.
Peter's Reward Question
In Matthew 19, Peter asks Jesus what he and the other disciples will have for forsaking all, and Les makes clear Peter is not asking about salvation but about what more is in it for him.
The Regeneration and Twelve Thrones
Jesus promises the disciples that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on His throne, they will sit on twelve thrones; Les explains regeneration as the earth being made over like the Garden of Eden.
Peter's Question About Reward
Les repeats that Peter knew he had salvation and was asking about reward and compensation for leaving everything behind.
Twelve Thrones Judging Israel
The eleven disciples are promised twelve thrones ruling the twelve tribes of Israel, and Les says this prospect was uppermost in their thinking, explaining their Acts 1 question about restoring the kingdom.
Leaving a Beloved Occupation
Peter left his fishing occupation, which he loved, and asked what he would have for following Jesus — a question about reward rather than salvation.
Reward Beyond Eternal Life
Les emphasizes that Peter's question concerned what he would get as a reward besides eternal life, a valid question Jesus answered specifically.
The Twelve's Expectation of the Kingdom
The twelve were so expectant of the King setting up His kingdom that Peter preached the crucified Jesus as Israel's King, urging the nation to believe so the King could return and the kingdom could begin.
Matthew 19:27: Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
Peter's question reveals that he expected a reward for leaving everything to follow Jesus.
Matthew 19:28: 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.
Jesus' answer directly promises the disciples ruling positions in His coming kingdom.
Acts 1:6: When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
This verse shows that the disciples were still expecting the promised kingdom after Jesus' resurrection.
No. Les Feldick says Peter knew he had salvation; he was asking what reward he and the others would receive for leaving everything to follow Jesus.
Jesus promised that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on His throne of glory, the disciples would sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
According to Les, the regeneration is when the curse is lifted and the earth is made over like it was in the Garden of Eden, at the time the kingdom is set up.
Watch the Teaching: What Peter Really Preached in Acts 3 — Israel's Call to Repent