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. ²⁴ Jesus looked at him and said, “How difficult it is for those who are wealthy 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 man [who places his faith in wealth or status] to enter the kingdom of God.” ²⁶ And those who heard it said, “^[a]Then who can be saved?” ²⁷ But He said, “The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.”^(C)

²⁸ Peter said, “Look, we have left all [things—homes, families, businesses] and followed You.” ²⁹ And He said to them, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God, ³⁰ who will not receive many times as much in this present age and in the age to come, eternal life.”