The Rich Young Ruler's Question in the Gospels
The rich young ruler's question, recorded in Matthew 19:16-22, Mark 10:17-22, and Luke 18:18-23, concerns what he must do to inherit eternal life. This encounter serves as a significant teaching moment for Jesus regarding discipleship and the requirements for entering the Kingdom of God [5].
The individual is identified as a "young man" in Matthew 19:20 and a "ruler" in Luke 18:18, indicating he was a civil magistrate [6]. He was also notably wealthy [5, 6]. He approached Jesus respectfully, kneeling and addressing him as "Good Teacher" [5]. His question, "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" reflects a common concern of the time [6].
Jesus initially responded by questioning the young man's use of "Good," stating that "no one is good except God alone" (Mark 10:18). He then directed the ruler to keep the commandments, listing several from the Decalogue: "You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 19:18-19). The young man confidently declared that he had kept all these from his youth, a statement that pleased him and made him feel "highly pleased and greatly elated" [3].
However, Jesus then presented a further challenge: "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me" (Matthew 19:21). This command revealed the young man's attachment to his possessions. His riches, which often grant worldly power [2, 1], became an obstruction to his reception of the gospel [2]. Upon hearing this, he went away sorrowful because he had great wealth [5].
This incident prompted Jesus to teach his disciples about the difficulty rich people face in entering the kingdom of heaven [7]. Riches can lead to lukewarmness, vanity, and pride, as seen in the church of Laodicea [4]. The narrative highlights a contrast between the rich man's attitude and the childlike faith necessary for entering God's Kingdom [5]. The story underscores that while worldly riches are temporary, uncertain, and unsatisfying [2], true riches are found in Christ [2].
Sources
- Proverbs “Proverbs 22:7 (YLT) — The rich over the poor ruleth, And a servant <FI>is<Fi> the borrower to the lender.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Riches — The true riches -- Eph 3:8; 1Co 1:30; Col 2:3; 1Pe 2:7. God gives -- 1Sa 2:7; Ec 5:19. To God belongs this world's riches -- Hag 2:8. God gives power to obtain -- De 8:18. The blessing of the Lord brings -- Pr 10:22. Give worldly power -- Pr 22:7. Described as Temporary. -- Pr 27:24. Uncertain. -- 1Ti 6:17. Unsatisfying. -- Ec 4:8; 5:10. Corruptible. -- Jas 5:2; 1Pe 1:18. Fleeting. -- Pr 23:5; Re 18:16,17. Deceitful. -- Mt 13:22. Liable to be stolen. -- Mt 6:19. Perishable. -- Jer 48:36. Thick clay. -- Hab 2:6. Often an obstruction to the reception of the go”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 19:20: The young man saith unto him,.... For though he was so very rich and in such an exalted station in life, as to be a ruler, it seems he was but a young man; and to be so early serious and religious, amidst so much riches and grandeur, though it was but externally, was both remarkable and commendable: upon hearing the answer of Christ, with which he was highly pleased and greatly elated, he very pertly replies, all these things have I kept from my youth up: as soon as he was capable of learning, his parents taught him these precepts; and ever since he had the use of”
- Revelation (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Revelation 3:15: Because thou sayest, I am rich,.... In worldly goods, which occasioned her lukewarmness, as riches often do, and her vanity, pride, and arrogance, afterwards expressed. Laodicea was a very rich city, and so will be this church state, through the accession of kings and princes, and great men of the earth unto it, in the former period: riches seldom do any good to the churches of Christ, they did not in Constantine's time; and it seems that even at the close of the spiritual reign of Christ they will be of bad consequence, since they will usher in the Laodicean chur”
- Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 10:17: 10:17-31 The story of the rich man continues the themes of discipleship begun in 9:33 and the requirements for entering the Kingdom of God (10:13-16). The attitude of the rich man contrasts sharply with the childlike faith necessary for entering the Kingdom of God. 10:17 The rich man (10:22) was a young ruler (Matt 19:20; Luke 18:18) who showed respect toward Jesus by kneeling and calling Jesus Good Teacher. Teacher is a frequent title for Jesus in Mark (see Mark 4:38; 5:35; 9:17, 38; 10:20, 35; 12:14, 19, 32; 13:1; 14:14); the addition of good is unique.”
- Luke (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Luke 18:18: And a certain ruler asked him,.... A young man, Mat 19:20 a ruler among the Jews, a civil magistrate, and a very rich man; he ran after Jesus, and overtook him in the way, as he was going towards Jericho, Mar 10:17 saying, good master; "Rabbi"; or doctor, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? See Gill on Mat 19:16.”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 19:23: Then said Jesus unto his disciples..... When the young man was gone; taking this opportunity to make some proper observations for the use and instruction of his disciples, after, as Mark observes, he had "looked round about"; with concern, and in order to affect their minds with this incident, and to raise their attention to what he was about to say: verily I say unto you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven: either into the Gospel dispensation, and receive the truths, and submit to the ordinances of it, or into the kingdom of glory herea”