Mark 10:21
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.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
3 of 33
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ἐμβλέψας
beholding
G1689
ἐμβλέψας
beholding
Strong's:
G1689
Word #:
4 of 33
to look on, i.e., (relatively) to observe fixedly, or (absolutely) to discern clearly
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 33
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
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 33
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
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 33
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
10 of 33
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
ὑστερεῖ·
lackest
G5302
ὑστερεῖ·
lackest
Strong's:
G5302
Word #:
13 of 33
to be later, i.e., (by implication) to be inferior; generally, to fall short (be deficient)
ὕπαγε
go thy way
G5217
ὕπαγε
go thy way
Strong's:
G5217
Word #:
14 of 33
to lead (oneself) under, i.e., withdraw or retire (as if sinking out of sight), literally or figuratively
ἕξεις
thou hast
G2192
ἕξεις
thou hast
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
16 of 33
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 #:
18 of 33
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
δὸς
give
G1325
δὸς
give
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
19 of 33
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 33
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πτωχοῖς
to the poor
G4434
πτωχοῖς
to the poor
Strong's:
G4434
Word #:
21 of 33
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 #:
22 of 33
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 #:
23 of 33
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 #:
24 of 33
a deposit, i.e., wealth (literally or figuratively)
οὐρανῷ
heaven
G3772
οὐρανῷ
heaven
Strong's:
G3772
Word #:
26 of 33
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 #:
27 of 33
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 #:
28 of 33
here; used also imperative hither!; and of time, hitherto
ἀκολούθει
and follow
G190
ἀκολούθει
and follow
Strong's:
G190
Word #:
29 of 33
properly, to be in the same way with, i.e., to accompany (specially, as a disciple)
ἄρας
take up
G142
ἄρας
take up
Strong's:
G142
Word #:
31 of 33
to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind), specially, to sail away (i.e., weigh
Cross References
Revelation 2:20Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.Revelation 2:14But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.Revelation 2:4Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.Acts 2:45And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.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.James 2:10For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.Hebrews 10:34For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.Matthew 16:24Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.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.2 Corinthians 12:15And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.
Historical Context
Rich young ruler kept commandments externally but loved wealth supremely. Jesus exposed idolatry. Not that riches inherently evil but anything loved more than God is idol. This man could not let go departed sorrowful (v. 22). Many wealthy in church history who used riches for kingdom. Not riches but love of riches that condemns. Jesus words harder for rich enter kingdom (v. 23-25). Wealth creates illusion of self-sufficiency. Poor recognize need rich feel secure. Camels eye of needle illustrates impossibility trusting wealth and trusting God. Modern prosperity gospel says God wants you rich. Jesus warns against riches as spiritual danger. Reformed theology emphasizes God own sovereignty calls some to wealth most to modest means measures success by faithfulness not finances.
Questions for Reflection
- Why did Jesus command this particular man to sell all when not all Christians required to do so?
- What does rich young ruler inability to let go of wealth teach about idolatry of riches?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus beholding him loved him said One thing thou lackest go sell whatsoever thou hast give to poor thou shalt have treasure in heaven come take up cross follow me. Beholding emblepsas looked intently. Loved ēgapēsen genuine affection. Said eipen. One thing hen single issue. Lackest hysterei lacking missing. Go hypage depart. Sell pōlēson liquidate. Whatsoever hosa possessions. Give dos distribute. To poor ptōchois destitute. Treasure thēsauron wealth. In heaven en ouranō eternal. Come deuro return. Take up aras burden. Cross stauron instrument of death. Follow me akolouthei discipleship. Jesus loved rich young ruler but demanded total surrender. One thing lacked total allegiance. Wealth was idol. Jesus does not demand all sell all but this man needed to. Reformed theology affirms nothing can compete with Christ for supreme allegiance.