Mark 10:17

¶ And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

And {G2532} when he was gone forth {G1607} into {G1519} the way {G846}{G3598}, there came {G4370} one {G1520} running {G4370}, and {G2532} kneeled {G1120} to him {G846}, and asked {G1905} him {G846}, Good {G18} Master {G1320}, what {G5101} shall I do {G4160} that {G2443} I may inherit {G2816} eternal {G166} life {G2222}?

As he was starting on his way, a man ran up, kneeled down in front of him and asked, "Good rabbi, what should I do to obtain eternal life?"

As Jesus started on His way, a man ran up and knelt before Him. “Good Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

And as he was going forth into the way, there ran one to him, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

Mark 10:17 (KJV) introduces one of the most significant encounters in the Gospels, setting the stage for a profound discussion on wealth, discipleship, and the path to salvation. The verse captures the earnestness of an individual seeking ultimate truth from Jesus.

Context

This event occurs as Jesus "was gone forth into the way," likely continuing His journey towards Jerusalem, a path that would culminate in His crucifixion and resurrection. Immediately preceding this verse, Jesus had just finished teaching about the importance of receiving the Kingdom of God with the humility and trust of a child (Mark 10:15). The man who approaches Jesus is identified in parallel accounts as a rich young ruler (Matthew 19:16; Luke 18:18). His actions—"running" and "kneeling"—demonstrate a deep respect and urgent desire for spiritual guidance, highlighting his sincere pursuit of eternal matters.

Key Themes

  • The Earnest Pursuit of Eternal Life: The man's urgency and reverence underscore humanity's innate longing for something beyond this temporal existence. His question, "what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?", is a universal human inquiry about ultimate purpose and destiny.
  • Initial Respect for Jesus: Addressing Jesus as "Good Master" (Didaskalos agathe in Greek) shows the man's recognition of Jesus' authority and moral purity. This sets up Jesus' subsequent challenging response, which redirects the focus to God's inherent goodness (Mark 10:18).
  • The Question of "Doing" for Salvation: The phrase "what shall I do" reflects a common mindset of seeking to earn or achieve spiritual standing through works or adherence to religious law. This encounter begins to unpack the difference between human effort and divine grace in the path to salvation.
  • Inheriting Eternal Life: The term "inherit" (kleronomeso) suggests receiving a legacy or a gift, rather than something earned through merit alone. This subtly points towards eternal life being a divine bestowal, not merely a reward for human performance, foreshadowing the later revelation of eternal life as the gift of God through Jesus Christ.

Linguistic Insights

The man's address, "Good Master," uses the Greek word didaskalos for "Master" (teacher) and agathe for "Good." While seemingly a respectful compliment, Jesus' immediate follow-up in the next verse challenges the man's understanding of "goodness," pointing out that "none is good but one, that is, God." This isn't a rejection of His own goodness, but a theological redirection, emphasizing God's unique and absolute goodness as the standard. The phrase "inherit eternal life" (Greek: zoen aionion kleronomeso) highlights the concept of eternal life as a possession or heritage, something granted rather than fully achieved by human effort.

Practical Application

Mark 10:17 invites us to examine our own approach to faith and salvation. Do we earnestly seek eternal life, or are we complacent? Do we approach God with a "what must I do" mentality, relying on our own efforts, or do we recognize that true salvation is ultimately a gift of grace through faith in Jesus Christ, as elaborated in Ephesians 2:8-9? The man's sincere, yet ultimately flawed, understanding of spiritual righteousness serves as a timeless reminder that while good works are important, they stem from a transformed heart, not as a means to earn God's favor.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 19:16

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

  • Matthew 19:30

    But many [that are] first shall be last; and the last [shall be] first.

  • Luke 18:18

    ¶ And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

  • Luke 18:30

    Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.

  • Romans 2:7

    To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

  • John 6:27

    Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

  • John 6:28

    ¶ Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?

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