Luke 18:22
Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
when Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
when Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
5 of 27
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
αὐτῷ
unto him
G846
αὐτῷ
unto him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 27
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
λείπει·
lackest
G3007
λείπει·
lackest
Strong's:
G3007
Word #:
11 of 27
to leave, i.e., (intransitively or passively) to fail or be absent
ἕξεις
thou hast
G2192
ἕξεις
thou hast
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
14 of 27
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
διάδος
distribute
G1239
διάδος
distribute
Strong's:
G1239
Word #:
17 of 27
to give throughout a crowd, i.e., deal out; also to deliver over (as to a successor)
πτωχοῖς
unto the poor
G4434
πτωχοῖς
unto the poor
Strong's:
G4434
Word #:
18 of 27
akin to g4422 and the alternate of g4098); a beggar (as cringing), i.e., pauper (strictly denoting absolute or public mendicancy, although also used i
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
19 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἕξεις
thou hast
G2192
ἕξεις
thou hast
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
20 of 27
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
θησαυρὸν
treasure
G2344
θησαυρὸν
treasure
Strong's:
G2344
Word #:
21 of 27
a deposit, i.e., wealth (literally or figuratively)
οὐρανῷ,
heaven
G3772
οὐρανῷ,
heaven
Strong's:
G3772
Word #:
23 of 27
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
24 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
δεῦρο
come
G1204
δεῦρο
come
Strong's:
G1204
Word #:
25 of 27
here; used also imperative hither!; and of time, hitherto
Cross References
Luke 12:33Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.Matthew 19:21Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.Luke 16:9And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.Luke 10:42But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.Psalms 27:4One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.2 Peter 3:8But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.Luke 9:23And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.Philippians 3:13Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Historical Context
Rich rulers rarely sought religious teachers, making this encounter unusual. His question 'what shall I do to inherit eternal life?' (v. 18) revealed works-based theology—'do' to 'inherit.' Jesus directed him to commandments, which he claimed to have kept. Yet something was missing—his wealth, which violated the first commandment (no gods before God) and tenth commandment (no coveting). Jesus' command to sell all was surgical strike at his specific idol. Not all believers must sell everything, but all must prioritize Christ above possessions. The man's sorrow showed he loved wealth more than eternal life—tragic choice revealing money's enslaving power.
Questions for Reflection
- Was Jesus' command to sell all universal requirement or specific diagnosis of this man's particular idol?
- What does the ruler's sorrowful departure teach about the enslaving power of wealth and difficulty of entering God's kingdom when trusting in riches?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus tells the rich ruler: 'Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.' The ruler claimed to have kept all commandments (v. 21), but Jesus exposed the one thing missing—his wealth was his god. The command 'sell all' addresses this specific idol. 'Distribute unto the poor' demonstrates genuine concern for others versus hoarding. 'Treasure in heaven' contrasts earthly treasure—secure, eternal, far better. The climactic command 'come, follow me' reveals what Jesus truly desires—disciples, not merely moral people. The man 'was very sorrowful: for he was very rich' (v. 23), choosing wealth over Christ.