MPV Commentary

This case presents some remarkable points. The young man was of irreproachable moral character, despite being wealthy and from a youth that would have been tempted by his riches.

But he was restless, and his heart craved eternal life. He believed in Jesus' authority to direct him on this vital point, which is why he came running and kneeling before Him, even when Jesus was out in public and surrounded by crowds.

19. Why call you me good? Our Lord's question seems impossible to answer without contradicting Scripture or His own teaching (Ps 112:5; Mt 25:21; Tit 1:8). The only reasonable interpretation is that He wanted to raise the youth's ideas of Himself, not just as a good teacher, but as the One who is essentially and uniquely good.

20. Thou knowest the commandments? Jesus confined His answer to the second table of the law, which He considered easy to keep, listing all ten commandments (Ex 20:1-17). By doing so, He was testing whether the young man would admit to not keeping one of them – specifically, loving his neighbor as himself.

21. All these I have kept since my youth. The young man's sincerity is evident, but something within him whispered that keeping the commandments wasn't enough for eternal life. He felt a deeper requirement was necessary, and he came to Jesus seeking guidance on this point.

22. Lackest thou one thing? Our Lord's words reveal a fundamental lack in the young man – his idolatrous attachment to wealth.

23-25. Sell all thy possessions and follow me. Jesus knew the young man's heart and laid His authoritative grasp upon his riches, saying that parting with them would be the key to eternal life. The young man was sorrowful to part with Christ, but even more so to give up his wealth.

24. When Jesus saw this, He looked around at His disciples and said, How hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God. This phrase is a commentary on the difficulty of overcoming idolatrous trust in material possessions.

25. It's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone rich to enter the kingdom of God. This proverbial expression denotes something impossible, but figuratively, it highlights the great difficulty of conquering this idolatrous trust.

26-27. For, behold, none is able to save himself. The crowd's reaction was that no one could be saved under these conditions – a sentiment Jesus would later affirm as true for those who rely on their own strength (Mt 19:25).

28-30. Lo, we have left all and followed thee. The young man, now aware of the required surrender, generously took his brethren with him in his response. He had indeed left everything to follow Jesus.

29. There is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and the gospel's. Jesus graciously acknowledged the completeness and acceptability of their surrender as a thing already made.

30. Many will be last who are first, and many will be first who are last. This promise is not limited to the apostles but applies to all who have forsaken everything for Christ (Mt 19:28). The reward will be manifold more in this present life – including houses, brethren, sisters, mothers, children, lands, with persecutions – and ultimately, eternal life in the world to come.