Mark 10:20

KJV

And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} he answered {G611} and said {G2036} unto him {G846}, Master {G1320}, all {G3956} these {G5023} have I observed {G5442} from {G1537} my {G3450} youth {G3503}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Rabbi," he said, "I have kept all these since I was a boy."

Berean Standard Bible

“Teacher,” he replied, “all these I have kept from my youth.”

American Standard Version

And he said unto him, Teacher, all these things have I observed from my youth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 10:20 captures the rich young man's confident assertion to Jesus that he has meticulously kept all the commandments from his youth. This declaration immediately follows Jesus' recitation of several Mosaic laws, revealing the young man's deeply ingrained belief in his own moral uprightness and his reliance on personal merit as a pathway to eternal life. His response sets the stage for Jesus to expose the true obstacle to his salvation: not a lack of outward obedience, but an inward attachment to his possessions that prevented radical discipleship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment within the broader narrative of Jesus' encounter with the wealthy young man (Mark 10:17-22). The preceding verse, [Mark 10:19](/mark/10-19 "Mark 10:19 - Jesus Lists Commandments"), records Jesus' initial response to the young man's earnest question, "Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" Jesus lists several commandments from the second table of the Decalogue, focusing on human relationships (e.g., "Do not murder," "Do not commit adultery," "Do not steal," "Do not bear false witness," "Defraud not," "Honor your father and mother"). The young man's reply in [Mark 10:20](/mark/10-20 "Mark 10:20 - The Rich Young Man's Claim") serves as his confident counter-assertion, setting up Jesus' subsequent, more challenging command in [Mark 10:21](/mark/10-21 "Mark 10:21 - Jesus' Challenge to the Rich Young Ruler") which reveals the young man's true spiritual impediment. This exchange is strategically placed within Mark's Gospel, following Jesus' teaching on the kingdom belonging to children ([Mark 10:13-16](/mark/10-13-16 "Mark 10:13-16 - Jesus Blesses the Children")) and preceding His third passion prediction ([Mark 10:32-34](/mark/10-32-34 "Mark 10:32-34 - Jesus Predicts His Death a Third Time")), highlighting the radical demands of discipleship in contrast to worldly attachments.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Judaism, adherence to the Mosaic Law was central to religious identity and the pursuit of righteousness. Many Jews believed that meticulous observance of the commandments, both written and oral, was the path to divine favor and eternal life. Rabbis taught extensively on the Law, and a young man of wealth and status, like the one in this account, would likely have been educated in its precepts from a young age. His confident declaration reflects a common understanding that outward conformity to the Law was sufficient. However, Jesus' teaching consistently challenged this superficial understanding, emphasizing the spirit of the Law and the condition of the heart, as seen in the [Sermon on the Mount](/matthew/5 "Matthew 5 - The Sermon on the Mount"). The cultural emphasis on wealth as a sign of God's blessing also plays a role, making Jesus' subsequent command to sell possessions particularly shocking and counter-cultural.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 10:20 contributes significantly to several key themes within Mark's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **human self-righteousness** and the illusion of achieving salvation through works. The young man genuinely believes his performance of the Law is adequate, illustrating a common human tendency to trust in one's own efforts rather than God's grace. Secondly, the interaction underscores the **purpose of the Law**, which, as Paul later articulates, is not to provide a means of salvation but to expose sin and demonstrate humanity's inability to perfectly fulfill God's righteous demands ([Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - The Law Reveals Sin")). The young man's confidence, though sincere, reveals a superficial understanding of the Law's deeper spiritual requirements. Finally, this verse sets the stage for the theme of **the cost of discipleship**, showing that true following of Jesus demands more than outward morality; it requires radical surrender and a willingness to abandon all competing loyalties, including wealth and self-reliance, to embrace the Kingdom of God fully ([Mark 8:34](/mark/8-34 "Mark 8:34 - Take Up Your Cross")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Master (Greek, _didáskalos'_):** From G1320, meaning "an instructor (genitive case or specially):--doctor, master, teacher." The young man addresses Jesus as "Master," acknowledging Him as a respected teacher or rabbi. This term, while respectful, suggests that the young man perceives Jesus primarily as a moral guide from whom to learn rules, rather than as the divine Son of God or the Messiah who brings a new covenant and demands total allegiance. His understanding is intellectual and ethical, not yet spiritual and transformative.
* **observed (Greek, _phylássō'_):** From G5442, meaning "to watch, i.e. be on guard (literally of figuratively); by implication, to preserve, obey, avoid:--beward, keep (self), observe, save." The young man's use of "observed" (phylássō) implies a diligent, careful adherence to the commandments, suggesting he has "kept watch over" or "guarded" them from infringement. This word choice emphasizes his perceived meticulousness and commitment to external obedience, reinforcing his self-righteous confidence.
* **youth (Greek, _neótēs'_):** From G3503, meaning "newness, i.e. youthfulness:--youth." The phrase "from my youth" highlights the longevity and consistency of his perceived obedience. It suggests a lifelong commitment to the Law, implying that his moral rectitude is not a recent development but a deeply ingrained habit, further bolstering his conviction that he has fulfilled all requirements.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he answered and said unto him,"**: This opening clause indicates the young man's immediate and direct response to Jesus' listing of the commandments. The use of "answered and said" (a common Hebraism) emphasizes the directness of his reply, suggesting a readiness and confidence in his assertion.
* **"Master,"**: The young man's address to Jesus. As noted in the Key Word Analysis, "Master" (_didáskalos_) signifies respect for Jesus as a teacher or rabbi, but also subtly reveals the young man's limited perception of Jesus' true identity and authority. He approaches Jesus as one seeking instruction on how to earn eternal life, rather than as one encountering the very source of life.
* **"all these have I observed"**: This is the core of the young man's claim. He confidently declares that he has "observed" (kept, guarded) all the commandments Jesus just listed. This statement reflects his sincere belief in his own moral perfection and his reliance on his works for righteousness. It underscores his self-assessment as someone who has successfully fulfilled the Law's demands, at least outwardly.
* **"from my youth."**: This phrase emphasizes the duration and consistency of his obedience. He is not claiming recent conversion or sporadic adherence, but a lifelong commitment to the Law's precepts. This further solidifies his perception of himself as righteous and deserving of eternal life based on his long-standing moral conduct.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Mark 10:20 is **Irony**. The young man's confident declaration, "all these have I observed from my youth," is deeply ironic because, as the subsequent verses reveal, he has *not* truly observed the spirit of the Law, particularly the first and greatest commandment to love God with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love his neighbor as himself. His attachment to wealth, which Jesus immediately challenges, demonstrates that he has a competing loyalty that prevents him from fully loving God and neighbor (by sharing his wealth). His outward conformity masks an inward deficiency, making his boast tragically ironic in the face of Jesus' deeper spiritual demands. There is also an element of **Foreshadowing**, as the young man's confident but ultimately flawed self-assessment foreshadows his inability to meet the radical call of discipleship that Jesus is about to issue, leading to his sorrowful departure.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The rich young man's confident assertion in Mark 10:20 serves as a powerful theological statement about the insufficiency of human self-righteousness and outward obedience for salvation. It highlights the biblical truth that while the Law is holy, righteous, and good, it reveals sin rather than providing a means to earn justification. The young man's sincerity and moral uprightness, though commendable by human standards, ultimately fall short of God's perfect standard, which demands not just external conformity but a transformed heart fully surrendered to God. This encounter underscores the radical nature of true discipleship, which requires a complete reorientation of one's life and affections towards God, exposing any idols that compete for ultimate loyalty.

* [Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - The Law Reveals Sin"): "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin."
* [Galatians 2:16](/galatians/2-16 "Galatians 2:16 - Justification by Faith, Not Works"): "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."
* [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith"): "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 10:20 offers a profound opportunity for introspection, challenging us to examine the true basis of our spiritual confidence. Like the rich young man, we can easily fall into the trap of relying on our own perceived goodness, moral achievements, or religious observances as a foundation for our standing with God. This verse reminds us that while good deeds are important, they are the fruit of salvation, not its root. True spiritual health comes not from what we *do* for God, but from what God has *done* for us through Christ. It calls us to move beyond a superficial, external adherence to rules and to cultivate a heart that is fully devoted to God, willing to surrender every idol and competing loyalty. This encounter with Jesus reveals that He is not merely interested in our outward behavior, but in the deepest affections of our hearts and our willingness to follow Him without reservation, recognizing that genuine discipleship often requires radical sacrifice and a humble dependence on divine grace rather than human effort.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be relying on my own efforts or perceived goodness rather than God's grace for my spiritual security?**
* **What "commandments" or religious practices do I observe that might give me a false sense of righteousness, distracting me from a deeper heart transformation?**
* **What are the "idols" or attachments in my life that, if challenged by Jesus, would cause me sorrow or prevent me from following Him fully?**
* **How does this verse challenge my understanding of what true discipleship entails beyond outward morality?**

### FAQ

**Did the rich young man truly keep all the commandments from his youth, or was he mistaken?**

Answer: While the rich young man sincerely believed he had kept all the commandments, his understanding was superficial and focused on outward actions rather than the deeper spiritual intent of the Law. Jesus' subsequent challenge in [Mark 10:21](/mark/10-21 "Mark 10:21 - Jesus' Challenge to the Rich Young Ruler") to sell all his possessions and follow Him exposed that he had not truly kept the spirit of the first and greatest commandment: to love God with all his heart and his neighbor as himself. His attachment to wealth revealed a competing loyalty, demonstrating that he had not perfectly fulfilled the Law's demands, particularly in areas of covetousness and radical devotion to God. The Law's purpose is to reveal sin, and in this case, it exposed the young man's idolatry of wealth.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The rich young man's confident declaration in [Mark 10:20](/mark/10-20 "Mark 10:20 - The Rich Young Man's Claim") starkly highlights humanity's inherent inability to achieve righteousness through self-effort, pointing directly to the necessity of Christ. His claim of lifelong obedience, though sincere, ultimately falls short of God's perfect standard, revealing the universal human condition of spiritual bankruptcy before a holy God. This encounter powerfully foreshadows the truth that no amount of human striving or moral observance can earn eternal life. Instead, it is the perfect, sinless obedience of Jesus Christ, from His youth to His death on the cross, that fully satisfies the Law's demands. Where the young man failed to love God supremely by releasing his attachment to wealth, Jesus perfectly fulfilled the Law, demonstrating ultimate love for God and neighbor by sacrificing Himself for the sin of the world ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")). Our salvation is not found in our own "observance" but in Christ's perfect obedience and atoning sacrifice, which is freely offered to all who, unlike the rich young man, are willing to surrender everything to follow Him, trusting in His righteousness alone ([Philippians 3:9](/philippians/3-9 "Philippians 3:9 - Righteousness Through Faith in Christ")). He is the true Master who calls us not to earn, but to receive, and to follow Him in radical, self-denying discipleship, finding our true treasure in Him ([Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19-21 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Lay Up Treasures in Heaven")).

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

Ezekiel 33:31

And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee [as] my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, [but] their heart goeth after their covetousness.

Ezekiel 33:32

And, lo, thou [art] unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.

2 Timothy 3:5

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Philippians 3:6

Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

Romans 7:9

For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

Luke 18:11

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men [are], extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

Luke 18:12

I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.