An official asked him this question, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. 20 You know the commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery; you shall not kill; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother.’” 21 And he replied, “All of these I have observed from my youth.” 22 When Jesus heard this he said to him, “There is still one thing left for you: sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have a treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 23 But when he heard this he became quite sad, for he was very rich.
24 Jesus looked at him [now sad] and said, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 Those who heard this said, “Then who can be saved?” 27 And he said, “What is impossible for human beings is possible for God.” 28 Then Peter said, “We have given up our possessions and followed you.” 29 He said to them, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God 30 who will not receive [back] an overabundant return in this present age and eternal life in the age to come.”
The official’s question reflects a genuine desire to understand what is required for salvation. However, the way he frames his question suggests he views eternal life as something to be earned through meritorious deeds—a concept Jesus will challenge. Addressing Jesus as "Good teacher" was unusual because "good" was typically reserved for God alone in Jewish tradition (Ps. 25:8). Jesus redirects the official’s focus to the goodness of God, emphasizing that salvation originates from God, not from human effort.
Jesus lists the commandments related to interpersonal relationships (Ex. 20:12–16; Deut. 5:16–20) as a starting point, but the official’s reply reveals his confidence in his own righteousness and adherence to the Law. While the Law is good (Rom. 7:12), it is insufficient for salvation without faith and the grace of God (Gal. 2:16). Jesus challenges the man to take the next step in discipleship: radical detachment from possessions and trust in God (Matt. 6:19–21). Selling his possessions and giving to the poor was a specific command tailored to the man’s spiritual obstacle, not a universal requirement. This call was not simply about renouncing wealth but about fostering complete dependence on God and removing anything that hinders a wholehearted response to the kingdom of God. True detachment requires faith, trusting that God will provide all that is needed, even when earthly security is abandoned (cf. Matt. 6:25–33).
When the man hears this, he becomes very sad because his wealth is his stumbling block. His sadness reveals not only his attachment to material possessions but also his inability to prioritize the kingdom of God over worldly security. This response highlights the difficulty of letting go of what we value most when it competes with our devotion to God.
Jesus looked at the man and emphasized the spiritual danger of riches, which can lead to self-reliance and distract from trusting in God. Wealth, while not inherently evil, often becomes an obstacle when it fosters attachment to material goods over dependence on God. Jesus illustrates this with the hyperbolic metaphor of a camel passing through the eye of a needle, stressing the impossibility of salvation through human effort alone (Mark 10:24).
This astonished the disciples because, in Jewish tradition, wealth was often seen as a sign of God’s blessing and favor for covenantal obedience (Deut. 28:1–14). Jesus’ teaching challenges this view, highlighting that salvation is not a reward for material success but a gift of God’s grace. Jesus explains, “What is impossible for human beings is possible for God,” underscoring that salvation depends entirely on God’s power and mercy, not on human merit or status. It is entirely a work of God’s grace (Eph. 2:8–9). Peter makes a contrast between the disciples’ choice to abandon material wealth with the rich man’s refusal. Jesus promises that sacrifices made for the kingdom of God will be abundantly rewarded, both in this life and in eternity (cf. Mark 10:30). The rewards in the present age may imply spiritual rewards such as joy, peace, and Christian unity, while eternal life points to the ultimate fulfillment in God’s presence.
Almighty God, teach us to trust not in earthly possessions but in Your infinite goodness. Help us to follow You with undivided hearts, detaching ourselves from anything that keeps us from Your kingdom. Grant us the grace to rely on Your mercy, knowing that what is impossible for us is possible with You. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
Sources
- McSorley, Joseph. An Outline History of the Church by Centuries (From St. Peter to Pius XII). 2nd ed., B. Herder Book Co., 1944.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
- Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
- Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
- Charpentier, Etienne. How to Read the Old Testament. Translated by John Bowden, 1981.
- Komonchak, Joseph, et al., editors. The New Dictionary of Theology.
Comments