30 · Words and actions of Jesus

The Rich Man

Mark 10:17–22

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Jesus looks with love at a well-dressed adult man kneeling before him and asking about eternal life in a biblical setting.

A man who says he has kept the commandments asks Jesus about eternal life.

Must every follower sell everything?

Choose a perspective

There is no score – choose the perspective you find closest and discuss why.

Discuss: When does a possession hinder someone from following Jesus?

After your discussion: compare with our assessment

Our assessment

A takes the direct addressee seriously. Jesus speaks to this particular man and gives him a concrete command. Mark does not state in these verses that every disciple must sell literally every possession. C prevents the story from being made harmless. Immediately afterward Jesus teaches the disciples about the difficulty wealth creates in relation to the kingdom of God. The man's problem therefore becomes the starting point for broader teaching.

30 · Mark 10:17–22

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Text & context

Full translation

17 As Jesus was setting out on his way, a man ran up, knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: Do not murder. Do not commit adultery. Do not steal. Do not bear false witness. Do not defraud. Honor your father and mother.” 20 The man said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these from my youth.” 21 Jesus looked at him and loved him and said, “One thing you lack. Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 But he became downcast at the saying and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.

Translated from the Greek text – SBLGNT

What is happening here?
A man runs up to Jesus, kneels, and asks what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus first points him toward several commandments. The man says he has kept all of them from his youth. Mark then inserts a crucial detail: Jesus looks at him and loves him. Jesus then says that one thing is lacking. The man is to sell what he has, give to the poor, receive treasure in heaven, and then come and follow Jesus. The man becomes downcast and goes away grieving because he has many possessions. The story leaves him at a point where Jesus' call collides with his wealth.
Notice this

Jesus does not speak the hard words after becoming angry with the man. Mark first says: “Jesus looked at him and loved him.” Then: “One thing you lack...” The man also asks what he must do to inherit eternal life. Eventually Jesus says: “Come, follow me.” But the man walks in the opposite direction.

Language & translation

From the Greek

τί ποιήσω – ti poiēsō

what must I do? The man frames his question in terms of what he must do.

ζωὴν αἰώνιον κληρονομήσω – zōēn aiōnion klēronomēsō

inherit eternal life Klēronomeō means to inherit or receive as an inheritance. The combination “what must I do to inherit?” creates an interesting verbal tension, though grammar alone should not carry an entire theological conclusion.

ἐμβλέψας αὐτῷ – emblepsas autō

looked at him Emblepō describes directing one's gaze toward or looking intently at someone.

ἠγάπησεν αὐτόν – ēgapēsen auton

loved him From agapaō, to love. Mark places this statement of Jesus' love immediately before the demanding command.

ἕν σε ὑστερεῖ – hen se hysterei

one thing you lack Jesus identifies something still lacking despite the man's claim to have kept the commandments.

πώλησον ... δὸς ... δεῦρο ἀκολούθει μοι – pōlēson ... dos ... deuro akolouthei moi

sell ... give ... come ... follow me A sequence of direct commands. The movement runs from possessions and the poor toward the personal call to follow Jesus.

στυγνάσας – stygnasas

became downcast An unusual verb describing the man's darkened reaction to Jesus' words.

λυπούμενος – lypoumenos

grieving / sorrowful The man leaves in sorrow. Mark does not portray him as mocking or hostile but as grieved.

Translation note

Independent English translation from the Greek text, using SBLGNT as the primary Greek edition.

Compare for yourself

Read Mark 10:17–31, not only verses 17–22. Pay particular attention to:

  • ti poiēsō
  • klēronomeō
  • emblepō
  • agapaō
  • hystereō
  • akoloutheō
  • stygnazō
  • lypeō
  • what Jesus says about wealth in verses 23–27
  • “For humans it is impossible, but not for God”

Also compare Matthew 19:16–30 and Luke 18:18–30.

Continue the conversation

Discuss further
  1. What do you think the man hopes to hear when he asks Jesus?
  2. What does the man own – and what seems to have gained power over him?
  3. How do the words “Jesus looked at him and loved him” change the way you hear Jesus' demand?
  4. How does reading verses 23–31 affect the interpretation of verses 17–22?
Parallel passages
  • Matthew 19:16–30
  • Luke 18:18–30
  • Mark 10:23–31
Sources
  • The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition (SBLGNT), Michael W. Holmes, ed.
  • Mark 10:17–31
  • Matthew 19:16–30
  • Luke 18:18–30
  • Standard Greek lexical resources for poieō, klēronomeō, emblepō, agapaō, hystereō, akoloutheō, stygnazō, and lypeō