The Rich Young Ruler

17 As(A) he was setting out on a journey,(B) a man ran up, knelt down(C) before him, and asked him, “Good(D) teacher,(E) what must I do to inherit(F) eternal life?” (G)

18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “No one is good except God alone.(H) 19 You know the commandments: Do not murder;(I) do not commit adultery;(J) do not steal;(K) do not bear false witness;(L) do not defraud;(M) honor(N) your father and mother.[a](O)

20 He said to him, “Teacher,(P) I have kept all these from my youth.”

21 Looking at him, Jesus loved him(Q) and said to him, “You lack one thing: Go, sell all you have and give to the poor,(R) and you will have treasure(S) in heaven.(T) Then come,[b] follow me.”(U) 22 But he was dismayed by this demand, and he went away grieving,(V) because he had many possessions.(W)

Possessions and the Kingdom

23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth(X) to enter the kingdom of God!”(Y)

24 The disciples were astonished at his words. Again Jesus said to them, “Children,(Z) how hard it is[c] to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich(AA) person to enter the kingdom of God.”

26 They were even more astonished, saying to one another, “Then who can be saved?” (AB)

27 Looking at them, Jesus said, “With man it is impossible,(AC) but not with God, because all things are possible with God.”

28 Peter(AD) began to tell him, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.”

29 “Truly I tell you,”(AE) Jesus said, “there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father[d] or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the gospel,(AF) 30 who will not receive a hundred times(AG) more, now at this time(AH) —houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions(AI) —and eternal life(AJ) in the age to come.(AK) 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”(AL)

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Footnotes

  1. 10:19 Ex 20:12–16; Dt 5:16–20
  2. 10:21 Other mss add taking up the cross, and
  3. 10:24 Other mss add for those trusting in wealth
  4. 10:29 Other mss add or wife

The Rich and the Kingdom of God(A)

17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees(B) before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”(C)

18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’[a](D)

20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”

21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor,(E) and you will have treasure in heaven.(F) Then come, follow me.”(G)

22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich(H) to enter the kingdom of God!”

24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is[b] to enter the kingdom of God!(I) 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”(J)

26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”

27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”(K)

28 Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!”(L)

29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much(M) in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come(N) eternal life.(O) 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”(P)

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Footnotes

  1. Mark 10:19 Exodus 20:12-16; Deut. 5:16-20
  2. Mark 10:24 Some manuscripts is for those who trust in riches