Matthew 19:22
But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λόγον
that saying
G3056
λόγον
that saying
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
6 of 13
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
ἀπῆλθεν
he went away
G565
ἀπῆλθεν
he went away
Strong's:
G565
Word #:
7 of 13
to go off (i.e., depart), aside (i.e., apart) or behind (i.e., follow), literally or figuratively
λυπούμενος·
sorrowful
G3076
λυπούμενος·
sorrowful
Strong's:
G3076
Word #:
8 of 13
to distress; reflexively or passively, to be sad
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
10 of 13
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ἔχων
he had
G2192
ἔχων
he had
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
11 of 13
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
Cross References
Matthew 6:24No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.Ezekiel 33:31And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.Matthew 13:22He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.Colossians 3:5Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:Ephesians 5:5For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.Mark 10:22And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.Matthew 16:26For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Historical Context
In Jewish thought, wealth was often viewed as a sign of God's blessing and covenant faithfulness (Deut. 28:1-14). The notion that a wealthy, Torah-observant young man could be far from the Kingdom was shocking to Jesus's audience. This encounter challenged the prosperity theology of Second Temple Judaism and exposed how material blessing can become a spiritual snare.
Questions for Reflection
- What possessions, relationships, or ambitions might Jesus be calling you to surrender as idols that compete with whole-hearted discipleship?
- How does the rich young ruler's sorrowful departure warn against mere emotional response to the gospel without repentant obedience?
- In what ways do contemporary Christians rationalize partial obedience, keeping what Jesus demands we release?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
He went away sorrowful (ἀπῆλθεν λυπούμενος, apēlthen lupoumenos)—The young man's grief reveals spiritual authenticity yet fatal unwillingness. His sorrow (λυπέω, lupeō) shows he understood Jesus's demand and felt its weight, unlike those who dismiss Christ's claims lightly. Yet for he had great possessions (ἦν γὰρ ἔχων κτήματα πολλά, ēn gar echōn ktēmata polla) explains his choice: present wealth outweighed eternal life.
This narrative demonstrates that intellectual assent, moral respectability, and even spiritual hunger prove insufficient for salvation. The man had possessions, but more accurately, possessions had him. Jesus exposed the First Commandment violation: the young ruler's functional god was wealth, not Yahweh. His refusal to sell and follow illustrates how mammon becomes an enslaving master (Matt. 6:24), preventing Kingdom entrance (v. 24).