Matthew 19:22 - Printer Friendly

ESV: When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

NIV: When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

NASB: But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.

CSB: When the young man heard that, he went away grieving, because he had many possessions.

NLT: But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

KJV: But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

NKJV: But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

The reaction of this rich young man demonstrates the purpose of Jesus' earlier statements (Matthew 19:16–21). The man called Jesus "good," which Jesus suggested was a reference to God, implying the man ought to be ready to obey (John 14:15). Christ then posed the idea of moral perfection, which the man claimed he'd attained, at least so far as he could (Matthew 19:17–20). Jesus completed the lesson by giving the man what he'd asked for: something to "do." That instruction was meant for that man, and for this purpose, alone (Matthew 19:21).

Christ's instruction was for the man to give up all his great wealth. The young man is not happy to know he can attain eternal life—he is sad because he does not want to obey God when that obedience is overly difficult. He wants to do things his own way and be guaranteed eternal life at the same time.

This response is crucial to understanding the comments Jesus has made up to now. Jesus has proved the rich man is not as good as he thought he was. The young man believed he had kept all the commands. Jesus showed him a specific way to love his neighbors as he loved himself. The man saw clearly that he loved himself more than his poor neighbors. And, in this moment, he makes a clear decision that he'd prefer to keep his wealth, rather than follow Christ. Jesus' command for the man to give up his money was not a statement for all believers—it was a challenge to this particular man which demonstrated his ultimate insincerity.

Jesus did not stop the young man to clarify the heart of the gospel. Jesus would soon be killed, however, to pay for the sins of humanity, including the selfishness of this young man. He would be raised on the third day, and His disciples would begin the work of telling the world that God would cover them with the goodness of Jesus for their salvation if they would trust in Christ for eternal life (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.