Knowing The Word in Matthew 19:16-22

The Rich Young Man

[In an age when wealth was thought to be a sign of God’s blessing, coupled with the modest lifestyle of Jesus and his disciples, when most teachers were expected to be moderately wealthy, helps set the stage for this account.]

16 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” [This man is more concerned about “what I must do” rather than “what I am.” Perhaps he is looking for a spectacular act of charity rather than a life of consistent obedience.] 17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. [The man’s question located goodness in his deeds, a human quality. Jesus turns the tables and locates it in God and his word. The man is looking at self-sufficiency. Jesus says only one is good and that is where we find goodness, in a life that reflects God.] If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” [So it is in keeping God’s commandments, not through good deeds, that we enter eternal life.] 18 He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, 19 Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” [The 5th through the 10th Commandments can be summed up in loving neighbor.] 20 The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” [He knows something is lacking—perhaps the 10th Commandment that Jesus leaves out of his list?] 21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect [see 5:48], go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” [Jesus shows how inadequate his supposed righteousness really was. It is discipleship and not charity which is the issue.] 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. [Contrary to popular expectations, wealth is a hindrance to entering the kingdom of heaven.]