Matthew 19:16-24

New International Reader's Version

Rich People and the Kingdom of God

¹⁶ Just then, a man came up to Jesus. He asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to receive eternal life?”

¹⁷ “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only one who is good. If you want to enter the kingdom, obey the commandments.”

¹⁸ “Which ones?” the man asked.

Jesus said, “ ‘Do not murder. Do not commit adultery. Do not steal. Do not be a false witness. ¹⁹ Honor your father and mother.’ (Exodus 20:12–16; Deuteronomy 5:16–20) And ‘love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ ” (Leviticus 19:18)

²⁰ “I have obeyed all those commandments,” the young man said. “What else do I need to do?”

²¹ Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell everything you have. Give the money to those who are poor. You will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me.”

²² When the young man heard this, he went away sad. He was very rich.

²³ Then Jesus said to his disciples, “What I’m about to tell you is true. It is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. ²⁴ Again I tell you, it is hard for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. But it is even harder for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”