Matthew 19:16 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And behold, a man came up to him, saying, "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?"

NIV: Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"

NASB: And someone came to Him and said, 'Teacher, what good thing shall I do so that I may obtain eternal life?'

CSB: Just then someone came up and asked him, "Teacher, what good must I do to have eternal life?"

NLT: Someone came to Jesus with this question: 'Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?'

KJV: And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

NKJV: Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”

This verse begins an exchange between Jesus and a person who is often called the "rich young ruler." Matthew will reveal that he is both young and wealthy in the following verses (Matthew 19:20, 22). Luke's account describes the man as a ruler (Luke 18:18). Scholars suggest that maybe the man held a position has a Pharisee or other religious leader in Israel.

The man approaches Jesus with a very perceptive question. In fact, it is the question that every religious person must ask in some form or another during their lives: How can I be saved? How can I have the good version of the afterlife and not the bad one?

The way this man asks the question reveals his prior assumptions. First, he brings the question to Jesus, whom he called "teacher" or "rabbi." He has heard and seen enough of Jesus and of Judaism to believe that Jesus might finally be the one to give a meaningful answer to this question. He is starting in the right place.

Second, though, the man assumes that having eternal life relies on his actions. He asks Jesus what "good thing" he must do to have or be assured of eternal life (John 6:28). This is the first use of the phrase "eternal life" in Matthew. It is the equivalent of saying, "How can I know for sure that I will be accepted into the kingdom of heaven when the time comes?"

Apparently, some in Jesus' time believed that doing just one good action, maybe repeatedly, would be enough to guarantee eternal life. This man wants to know the identity of that thing so he can do it and rest assured that he will make it into the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus' answer to the man's question and the conversation that follows will show why nobody can do enough good things to guarantee themselves eternal life. Only God is good and able. The rest of us depend on His grace to save us through faith in Jesus (Ephesians 2:1–10).

Matthew 19:16–30 describes Jesus' conversation with a wealthy young man who asks how to attain eternal life. Jesus begins by establishing a standard of goodness, suggesting the man keep all the commandments. When the man says he has done this, Jesus suggests he give up his wealth to follow Him. The man's sad reaction proves he's unwilling to make God the real priority of his life. Using this as an example, Jesus warns that wealth can make it difficult for someone to accept salvation.

Pharisees ask Jesus if it is lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause. Jesus reminds them marriage was designed by God at creation. Divorce, then, is lawful only in the case of sexual immorality. A rich young man asks Jesus what good thing he must do to have eternal life. Jesus insists only God is good. He challenges the man's sincerity by asking him to give all his wealth to the poor and follow Him. The man's refusal demonstrates how easy it is to prefer wealth to dependence on God. In response to the disciples' question, Jesus says salvation is impossible with men but not with God.

Matthew 19 follows Jesus' teachings about temptation and forgiveness in chapter 18. This passage begins with Jesus leaving behind Galilee and heading toward Jerusalem the long way around. Jesus tells the Pharisees that divorce is legal only in cases of sexual immorality. Jesus blesses little children and then answers a rich young man who asks how to have eternal life. The man leaves sad after Jesus challenges him to give his money to the poor and follow Him. Jesus says salvation is impossible with men, but not with God. Chapter 20 contains additional parables and examples, and is the last before Jesus arrives in Jerusalem in the days just prior to His crucifixion.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.