The Rich Young Ruler

16 Just then someone came up and asked him,(A) “Teacher, what good must I do to have eternal life?” (B)

17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?”[a] he said to him. “There is only one who is good.[b] If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”(C)

18 “Which ones?” he asked him.

Jesus answered: Do not murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness;(D) 19 honor your father and your mother; and love your neighbor as yourself.[c](E)

20 “I have kept all these,”[d] the young man told him. “What do I still lack?”

21 “If you want to be perfect,”[e] Jesus said to him, “go, sell your belongings and give to the poor,(F) and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

22 When the young man heard that, he went away grieving, because he had many possessions.

Possessions and the Kingdom

23 Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven.(G) 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”(H)

25 When the disciples heard this, they were utterly astonished and asked, “Then who can be saved?”

26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”(I)

27 Then Peter responded to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you. So what will there be for us?”

28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things,(J) when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne,(K) you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother[f] or children or fields because of my name will receive a hundred times more and will inherit eternal life.(L) 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.(M)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 19:17 Other mss read “Why do you call me good?”
  2. 19:17 Other mss read “No one is good but one—God
  3. 19:18–19 Ex 20:12–16; Lv 19:18; Dt 5:16–20
  4. 19:20 Other mss add from my youth
  5. 19:21 Or complete
  6. 19:29 Other mss add or wife

The Rich Young Ruler

18 A(A) ruler(B) asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (C)

19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “No one is good except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: Do not commit adultery; do not murder; do not steal; do not bear false witness; honor your father and mother.[a](D)

21 “I have kept all these from my youth,” he said.

22 When Jesus heard this, he told him, “You still lack one thing: Sell all you have and distribute it to the poor,(E) and you will have treasure in heaven.(F) Then come, follow me.”(G)

23 After he heard this, he became extremely sad,(H) because he was very rich.

Possessions and the Kingdom

24 Seeing that he became sad,[b] Jesus said, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

26 Those who heard this asked, “Then who can be saved?” (I)

27 He replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”(J)

28 Then Peter said, “Look, we have left what we had and followed(K) you.”

29 So he said to them, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left a house, wife or brothers or sisters, parents or children because of the kingdom of God, 30 who will not receive many times more at this time,(L) and eternal life in the age to come.”

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 18:20 Ex 20:12–16; Dt 5:16–20
  2. 18:24 Other mss omit he became sad

Bible Gateway Recommends

CSB Kids Bible--soft leather-look, brown with lion
CSB Kids Bible--soft leather-look, brown with lion
Retail: $29.99
Our Price: $21.99
Save: $8.00 (27%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
CSB Men's Daily Bible, Hardcover
CSB Men's Daily Bible, Hardcover
Retail: $39.99
Our Price: $25.99
Save: $14.00 (35%)
CSB Apologetics Study Bible, Mahogany LeatherTouch, Thumb-Indexed
CSB Apologetics Study Bible, Mahogany LeatherTouch, Thumb-Indexed
Retail: $69.99
Our Price: $48.99
Save: $21.00 (30%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
The CSB Study Bible for Women, Teal Flowers LeatherTouch
The CSB Study Bible for Women, Teal Flowers LeatherTouch
Retail: $59.99
Our Price: $43.99
Save: $16.00 (27%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars