The Rich Young Ruler

¹⁸ A certain ruler asked Him, “Good Teacher [You who are essentially and morally good], what shall I do to inherit eternal life [that is, eternal salvation in the Messiah’s kingdom]?”^{(A) 19} Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is [essentially and morally] good except God alone. ²⁰ You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not testify falsely, Honor your father and your mother.’”^{(B) 21} He replied, “I have kept all these things from my youth.” ²² When Jesus heard this, He said to him, “You still lack one thing; sell everything that you have and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have [abundant] treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me [becoming My disciple, believing and trusting in Me and walking the same path of life that I walk].” ²³ But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich.