Mark 10:21

Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

Then {G1161} Jesus {G2424} beholding {G1689} him {G846} loved {G25} him {G846}, and {G2532} said {G2036} unto him {G846}, One thing {G1520} thou {G4671} lackest {G5302}: go thy way {G5217}, sell {G4453} whatsoever {G3745} thou hast {G2192}, and {G2532} give {G1325} to the poor {G4434}, and {G2532} thou shalt have {G2192} treasure {G2344} in {G1722} heaven {G3772}: and {G2532} come {G1204}, take up {G142} the cross {G4716}, and follow {G190} me {G3427}.

Yeshua, looking at him, felt love for him and said to him, "You're missing one thing. Go, sell whatever you own, give to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven. Then come, follow me!"

Jesus looked at him, loved him, and said to him, “There is one thing you lack: Go, sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”

And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

Commentary on Mark 10:21 (KJV)

This pivotal verse captures a profound moment between Jesus and the rich young ruler, revealing Jesus' heart and the demanding nature of true discipleship. It follows the young man's earnest inquiry about inheriting eternal life and his claim to have kept all the commandments from his youth (see Mark 10:17-20).

Context

The scene unfolds as a young man, devout and seemingly righteous, approaches Jesus seeking the path to eternal life. After Jesus lists several commandments, the man confidently asserts his obedience. It is at this point that Jesus, looking beyond the outward observance, discerns the deeper spiritual impediment in the young man's heart. This interaction is crucial in understanding Jesus' teaching on wealth and commitment, often discussed alongside the broader themes of entering the Kingdom of God.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Jesus' Compassionate Love: The phrase "Jesus beholding him loved him" is significant. It reveals Jesus' profound compassion and genuine affection for the young man, even before delivering a challenging command. His instruction was not a condemnation but an invitation born out of love, seeing his true need.
  • The "One Thing" Lacking: Despite his outward piety and adherence to the Law, the rich young ruler had a single, yet profound, spiritual deficiency: an ultimate attachment to his material possessions. For him, wealth had become an idol, hindering his ability to fully surrender to God. This highlights that true righteousness goes beyond mere rule-keeping to encompass the heart's deepest allegiances.
  • Radical Sacrifice for Treasure in Heaven: Jesus' command to "sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor" was a direct challenge to the man's idolatry of wealth. It was not a universal command for all, but a specific call tailored to expose his particular obstacle. The promise of "treasure in heaven" contrasts sharply with earthly riches, emphasizing the eternal value of spiritual devotion over temporal possessions, a theme echoed in Matthew 6:20.
  • The Call to Discipleship and Self-Denial: The culminating instruction, "take up the cross, and follow me," is the essence of Christian discipleship. This phrase, which Jesus had taught previously (e.g., Mark 8:34), signifies a commitment to self-denial, suffering, and absolute loyalty to Christ. It implies prioritizing Jesus above all else, even life itself.

Linguistic Insight

The Greek word for "loved" in "Jesus beholding him loved him" is agapaō. This is not merely an emotional fondness but a deep, unconditional, and purposeful love. It signifies Jesus' intentional, benevolent regard for the young man, even as He presented a difficult truth. This divine love undergirds the seemingly harsh command, demonstrating that Jesus' challenge stemmed from genuine care for the man's eternal well-being.

Practical Application

Mark 10:21 challenges all who seek to follow Christ to examine their own "one thing thou lackest." While not every believer is called to sell all possessions, the principle remains: what are the idols or attachments in our lives that prevent us from fully surrendering to Jesus? This verse calls for a radical re-evaluation of priorities, a willingness to sacrifice anything that hinders our spiritual growth, and a ready acceptance of the call to daily self-denial and following Christ. True discipleship often demands a personal cost, but it promises immeasurable eternal treasure.

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.

  • Revelation 2:4

    Nevertheless I have [somewhat] against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

  • 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 6:21

    For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

  • Luke 10:42

    But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

  • 1 Timothy 6:17

    Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

  • 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.

  • Luke 18:22

    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.

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