Keraia
Mark 10

Mark 10:21

The Rich Young Man · Mark 10:17–31
Read Mark 10

Translations

Modern
Jesus looked at him, loved him, and said to him, “There is one thing you lack: Go, sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”
Traditional
Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
Literal
And Jesus, having looked on him, loved him and said to him, “One thing to you is lacking: Go, sell as much as you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
Latin
Jesus autem intuitus eum, dilexit eum, et dixit ei: Unum tibi deest: vade, quæcumque habes vende, et da pauperibus, et habebis thesaurum in cælo: et veni, sequere me.

Original

Greek
English
Jesus looked at him, loved him, and said to him, “There is one thing you lack: Go, sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”

Notes

Mark 10:21

  • Instead of having an extended discussion about what it means to truly keep the commandments, Jesus focused on the specific issue that revealed this man’s problem. He still lacked one thing: He loved riches more than he loved God, thus breaking the first and most important commandment (12:29–30; Exodus 20:3; Deuteronomy 6:5).

    Entering the kingdom of God requires repentance (Mark 1:15; 6:12). Jesus helped this man to understand exactly what repentance meant for him. He did not need, as he might have thought, to attain a higher level of personal righteousness. He needed to enter God's kingdom through repentance and deep love for God to gain eternal life. He must deny himself and love God first by giving away his money (8:34).

    For other commands with a negative (sell everything) and a positive (follow Me) element, see 1:15, 18, 20; 10:28; see also Acts 2:38; 20:21.

  • The command Jesus gave to the rich man was not a strict rule for everyone entering the kingdom of God, but was specific to his situation. It teaches that nothing should come before God. Repentance requires removing anything we place above God (Mark 1:15; 6:12).

Mark 10:17–31

The story of the rich man continues the themes of discipleship that began in 9:33 and the requirements for entering the kingdom of God (10:13–16). The rich man’s attitude is very different from the humble, childlike faith needed to enter the kingdom of God.

Mark 9:30–10:31

This section is the second cycle (see study note on 8:27–9:1) containing:

Events

Parallels

Matthew 19:16–30 Luke 18:18–30

People

Jesus: The Son of God and Savior of the world

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Disciple Mark, Gospel of Needle Riches Servant of the Lord Travel

Topics

Beneficence: General Scriptures Concerning Call: To Special Religious Duty: The Rich Young Man Commandments: Precepts of Jesus--Explicitly Stated, or Implied in Didactic Discourse Cross: Figurative Jesus, the Christ: Love of Jesus, the Christ: Receives the Rich Young Ruler Who Asks What he Shall do to Inherit Eternal Life Reward: A Motive to Faithfulness Riches: General Scriptures Concerning Righteous: Promises To, Expressed or Implied Self-Righteousness: General Scriptures Concerning Temptation: General Scriptures Concerning The Rich: General Scriptures Concerning Young Men: General Scriptures Concerning Young Men: Religious Young Men: The Rich Young Man