Matthew 19:16-30

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.”

²⁵ When the disciples heard this, they were really amazed. They asked, “Then who can be saved?”

²⁶ Jesus looked at them and said, “With people, this is impossible. But with God, all things are possible.”

²⁷ Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What reward will be given to us?”

²⁸ “What I’m about to tell you is true,” Jesus said to them. “When all things are made new, the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne. Then you who have followed me will also sit on 12 thrones. You will judge the 12 tribes of Israel. ²⁹ Suppose anyone has left houses, brothers or sisters, father or mother, husband or wife, children or fields because of me. Anyone who has done that will receive 100 times as much. They will also receive eternal life. ³⁰ But many who are first will be last. And many who are last will be first.