Luke 18:22

KJV

Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now {G1161} when Jesus {G2424} heard {G191} these things {G5023}, he said {G2036} unto him {G846}, Yet {G2089} lackest {G3007} thou {G4671} one {G1520} thing: sell {G4453} all {G3956} that {G3745} thou hast {G2192}, and {G2532} distribute {G1239} unto the poor {G4434}, and {G2532} thou shalt have {G2192} treasure {G2344} in {G1722} heaven {G3772}: and {G2532} come {G1204}, follow {G190} me {G3427}.

Complete Jewish Bible

On hearing this Yeshua said to him, “There is one thing you still lack. Sell whatever you have, distribute the proceeds to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven. Then come, follow me!”

Berean Standard Bible

On hearing this, Jesus told him, “You still lack one thing: Sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”

American Standard Version

And when Jesus heard it, he said unto him, One thing thou lackest yet: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 18:22 captures Jesus' direct and challenging response to a wealthy and outwardly righteous young ruler, revealing the single, critical impediment to his full commitment to God's kingdom. Jesus calls the man to radical detachment from his earthly possessions, a compassionate distribution to the poor, and an invitation to personal discipleship, promising an eternal reward in heaven in exchange for temporal sacrifice. This encounter serves as a profound illustration of the cost of true discipleship and the heart's ultimate allegiance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climax of Jesus' interaction with the rich young ruler, immediately following the man's confident assertion that he has kept all the commandments from his youth ([Luke 18:21](/luke/18-21 "Luke 18:21 - The Rich Young Ruler's Claim")). The preceding verses set up the ruler's initial question about inheriting eternal life ([Luke 18:18](/luke/18-18 "Luke 18:18 - The Rich Young Ruler's Question")) and Jesus' initial response by listing several commandments. The narrative then shifts dramatically from the ruler's self-assurance to Jesus' pinpointing of his deepest spiritual obstacle. Following this exchange, the disciples' astonishment at Jesus' words about the difficulty for the rich to enter the kingdom ([Luke 18:24-27](/luke/18-24-27 "Luke 18:24-27 - The Disciples' Astonishment")) further underscores the radical nature of Jesus' demand.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Jewish society, wealth was often perceived as a sign of God's blessing and favor, a common belief among the Pharisees and many religious leaders. This cultural assumption made Jesus' challenge to the rich young ruler particularly counter-cultural and shocking. The concept of "treasure in heaven" would have contrasted sharply with the prevailing emphasis on earthly prosperity. Furthermore, the practice of distributing to the poor was a recognized act of righteousness, but Jesus' command went beyond mere almsgiving, demanding a complete divestment of wealth, which would have been an unprecedented and deeply unsettling instruction for someone of the ruler's status.
* **Key Themes:** This pivotal verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel. It highlights the theme of **radical discipleship**, emphasizing that following Jesus requires a willingness to surrender everything, particularly those things that compete for ultimate allegiance. It also powerfully addresses the **peril of wealth**, demonstrating how material possessions can become an idol that hinders entry into the Kingdom of God, a theme Jesus frequently touched upon (e.g., [Luke 12:15](/luke/12-15 "Luke 12:15 - Beware of Covetousness")). The promise of "treasure in heaven" introduces the theme of **eternal perspective**, contrasting transient earthly riches with enduring heavenly rewards, a concept also found in [Luke 12:33-34](/luke/12-33-34 "Luke 12:33-34 - Lay Up Treasure in Heaven"). Finally, the instruction to "distribute unto the poor" reinforces Luke's consistent emphasis on **compassion for the marginalized** and the ethical implications of wealth, a recurring motif throughout the book, as seen in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus in [Luke 16:19-31](/luke/16-19-31 "Luke 16:19-31 - The Rich Man and Lazarus").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **lackest (Greek, _leípō'_):** This verb, meaning "to fail or be absent," indicates that despite the ruler's outward adherence to the law and his commendable life, there was a single, crucial element missing or deficient in his spiritual state. It implies an incompleteness, a void that prevented him from fully entering into the life Jesus offered.
* **distribute (Greek, _diadídōmi'_):** Derived from "to give throughout a crowd," this word signifies a complete and widespread dispersal of possessions, not merely a partial donation. It emphasizes a radical act of divestment and generosity, ensuring that the wealth is spread among many in need, rather than being kept or transferred to a single recipient or institution.
* **follow (Greek, _akolouthéō'_):** Meaning "to be in the same way with" or "to accompany as a disciple," this term is a common call to discipleship in the Gospels. It implies not just intellectual assent or belief, but an active, ongoing, and personal commitment to Jesus' way of life, often involving sacrifice and a reordering of priorities.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him,"**: This clause sets the scene, indicating Jesus' attentive listening to the rich young ruler's prior declaration of his righteousness. Jesus' subsequent words are not a general sermon but a direct, personalized response tailored to the man's specific spiritual condition.
* **"Yet lackest thou one thing:"**: This is the core diagnosis. Despite the ruler's apparent moral uprightness and adherence to the commandments, Jesus identifies a singular, critical deficiency. This "one thing" is the spiritual obstacle that prevents him from truly inheriting eternal life and fully embracing God's kingdom.
* **"sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor,"**: This is Jesus' radical command, directly addressing the "one thing" lacking. It demands a complete detachment from earthly possessions, specifically targeting the ruler's wealth, which had become an idol. The instruction to "distribute unto the poor" highlights the ethical and compassionate dimension of this divestment, redirecting the man's resources toward those in genuine need.
* **"and thou shalt have treasure in heaven:"**: This phrase presents the divine incentive and promised reward for radical obedience. It contrasts the fleeting nature of earthly wealth with the enduring and infinitely more valuable "treasure" that awaits those who prioritize God's kingdom. This treasure is not merely a future reward but an eternal reality.
* **"and come, follow me."**: This is the ultimate invitation to discipleship. It is a personal call to join Jesus, to align one's life with His mission, and to live in active obedience to His teachings. This command encapsulates the essence of true faith, moving beyond mere adherence to rules to a dynamic, personal relationship with the Savior.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 18:22 employs several powerful literary devices. **Irony** is evident in Jesus' response to the rich young ruler. The man believes he has kept all the commandments and asks what more he must do, only for Jesus to identify a single, profound lack that undermines his entire self-assessment. This highlights the spiritual blindness that can accompany outward religiosity. **Hyperbole** is present in the command to "sell all that thou hast." While not a universal command for every believer to divest themselves of all possessions, it serves as a powerful, exaggerated statement designed to expose the ruler's ultimate allegiance and the radical nature of true discipleship. The verse also utilizes **Contrast**, setting up a stark opposition between "treasure" on earth (the ruler's current wealth) and "treasure in heaven" (the eternal reward offered by Jesus), thereby emphasizing the superior value of spiritual over material riches. Finally, the direct imperative "come, follow me" functions as a **Call to Discipleship**, a recurring motif in the Gospels that invites a personal, transformative relationship with Jesus.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 18:22 is a profound theological statement on the nature of discipleship, the deceptive power of wealth, and the true source of eternal security. It challenges the common human tendency to find security and identity in material possessions, asserting that such attachments can become idols that prevent a full and undivided devotion to God. Jesus' command reveals that true righteousness extends beyond mere outward obedience to the law; it requires a transformed heart willing to surrender everything for the sake of the Kingdom. The promise of "treasure in heaven" reorients the disciple's focus from temporal gain to eternal reward, emphasizing that God's economy operates on principles fundamentally different from the world's. This passage underscores that following Christ is not an additive to one's existing life but a radical reordering of priorities, where He becomes the supreme treasure and ultimate pursuit.

* [Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19-21 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Lay Up Treasures in Heaven")
* [Philippians 3:7-8](/philippians/3-7-8 "Philippians 3:7-8 - Paul Counts All as Loss for Christ")
* [1 Timothy 6:17-19](/1_timothy/6-17-19 "1 Timothy 6:17-19 - The Right Use of Wealth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 18:22 stands as a timeless challenge, prompting every believer to honestly examine the "one thing" that might be hindering their complete surrender and full pursuit of Christ. It invites us to consider what earthly possessions, ambitions, or securities might have subtly taken the place of God in our hearts, becoming an obstacle to radical obedience. While Jesus' specific command to sell everything was a diagnostic word for this particular individual, the underlying principle of detachment from worldly things and an undivided loyalty to Christ remains universally applicable. This verse calls us to cultivate a generous spirit, to prioritize eternal treasure over temporal gain, and to trust God implicitly for our provision, knowing that true wealth is found not in what we accumulate, but in our relationship with Him and our willingness to follow Him wholeheartedly, regardless of the cost.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "one thing" might be holding me back from complete surrender to Jesus?**
* **In what ways do I find security in earthly possessions or achievements rather than in God alone?**
* **How can I cultivate a more generous spirit and a greater detachment from material wealth in my daily life?**
* **Am I willing to follow Jesus even if it means personal sacrifice or letting go of cherished comforts?**

### FAQ
**Was Jesus commanding everyone to sell all their possessions to follow Him?**

Answer: No, Jesus' command to the rich young ruler in [Luke 18:22](/luke/18-22 "Luke 18:22 - Jesus' Command to the Rich Young Ruler") was a specific, diagnostic instruction tailored to this individual's spiritual condition. For this man, his great wealth was clearly an idol, preventing him from fully trusting and following Jesus. While the principle of detachment from worldly possessions and prioritizing God's kingdom is universal for all believers, the literal command to "sell all that thou hast" is not a blanket requirement for every Christian. Instead, it reveals that anything that takes precedence over God in our hearts can become an obstacle to genuine discipleship. Other disciples, like Zacchaeus ([Luke 19:8](/luke/19-8 "Luke 19:8 - Zacchaeus' Repentance")), were called to different expressions of generosity and repentance, not necessarily total divestment. The core message is about the heart's allegiance and willingness to surrender whatever God asks.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 18:22, while a direct challenge to the rich young ruler, powerfully points to Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of its demands and promises. Jesus Himself perfectly embodied the radical detachment and complete surrender He called for. Though "He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor" ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Poverty for Our Sake")), divesting Himself of heavenly glory to take on human form. He did not cling to earthly possessions or status but lived a life of humble dependence, having "nowhere to lay His head" ([Luke 9:58](/luke/9-58 "Luke 9:58 - The Son of Man Has No Place to Lay His Head")). Jesus is the one who truly "distributed to the poor" by offering the boundless riches of salvation to all who believe, freely giving His life as a ransom ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")). Moreover, He is the "treasure in heaven" that far surpasses any earthly gain, for in Him "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Treasures Hidden in Christ")). To "come, follow me" is not merely to imitate a moral teacher but to enter into a saving relationship with the one who perfectly fulfilled God's righteous demands and who Himself is the ultimate reward, offering eternal life and true riches to all who surrender their lives to Him ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Jesus Gives Abundant Life")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 12:33

Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

1 Timothy 6:18

That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

1 Timothy 6:19

Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Matthew 19:21

Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go [and] sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come [and] follow me.

Matthew 6:19

¶ Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

Matthew 6:20

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

Luke 16:9

And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.