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 Everyday Study Bible--soft leather-look, navy blue with cross
CSB Everyday Study Bible--soft leather-look, navy blue with cross
Retail: $34.99
Our Price: $20.21
Save: $14.78 (42%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
CSB Military Bible, Burgundy LeatherTouch for Marines
CSB Military Bible, Burgundy LeatherTouch for Marines
Retail: $24.99
Our Price: $14.29
Save: $10.70 (43%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
CSB Invitation New Testament, Softcover
CSB Invitation New Testament, Softcover
Retail: $0.99
Our Price: $0.58
Save: $0.41 (41%)
3.0 of 5.0 stars
CSB God Loves You Bible for Teens
CSB God Loves You Bible for Teens
Retail: $9.99
Our Price: $4.29
Save: $5.70 (57%)
CSB Kids Bible, Hardcover
CSB Kids Bible, Hardcover
Retail: $19.99
Our Price: $11.43
Save: $8.56 (43%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
CSB Grace Bible--soft leather-look, brown
CSB Grace Bible--soft leather-look, brown
Retail: $44.99
Our Price: $33.49
Save: $11.50 (26%)