Mark 10:22

And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.

And {G1161} he was sad {G4768} at {G1909} that saying {G3056}, and went away {G565} grieved {G3076}: for {G1063} he had {G2192}{G2258} great {G4183} possessions {G2933}.

Shocked by this word, he went away sad; because he was a wealthy man.

But the man was saddened by these words and went away in sorrow, because he had great wealth.

But his countenance fell at the saying, and he went away sorrowful: for he was one that had great possessions.

Mark 10:22 captures a poignant moment in Jesus's interaction with the rich young ruler, revealing the profound challenge of radical discipleship. This verse highlights the man's internal conflict and ultimate rejection of Jesus's call due to his attachment to material wealth.

Context

This verse follows a direct encounter between Jesus and a wealthy young man who approaches Him, asking what he must do to inherit eternal life. After affirming the commandments, Jesus delivers a specific and challenging command: "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." (Mark 10:21). The man's reaction in verse 22 is his response to this radical demand.

Key Themes

  • The Hindrance of Riches: The verse vividly illustrates how great possessions can become a significant obstacle to following Christ fully. For this man, his wealth was not just an asset but a spiritual chains.
  • The Cost of Discipleship: Jesus's call to take up the cross and follow Him often requires renouncing earthly comforts and securities. The rich young ruler was unwilling to pay this price.
  • Divided Loyalty: The man's sadness reveals a heart torn between his desire for eternal life and his love for his earthly treasures. It demonstrates the difficulty of serving both God and mammon.
  • Human Weakness and Sorrow: His emotional response—being "sad" and "grieved"—underscores the human struggle to surrender deeply held attachments, even when faced with the truth of God's kingdom.

Linguistic Insights

  • The word translated "sad" is the Greek stugnasas (στυγνάσας), which literally means "frowning," "gloomy," or "downcast." It suggests a visible expression of displeasure or distress.
  • "Grieved" comes from the Greek lupeo (λυπέω), meaning "to be sorrowful," "distressed," or "pained." This indicates a deep, internal emotional pain, not just a mild disappointment. He felt genuine sorrow over the choice he felt compelled to make.
  • "Great possessions" (Greek: ktemata polla, κτήματα πολλά) refers to his extensive property, wealth, and accumulated goods, signifying not just a comfortable living but a significant fortune.

Related Scriptures

  • This account is paralleled in Matthew 19:22 and Luke 18:23, all emphasizing the man's wealth as the reason for his departure.
  • Jesus's subsequent teaching in Mark 10:23-27 directly addresses the difficulty for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God, concluding that "with God all things are possible."
  • The dangers of materialism are also highlighted in 1 Timothy 6:10, which states that "the love of money is the root of all evil."

Practical Application

Mark 10:22 serves as a timeless warning against allowing any earthly possession or pursuit to take precedence over our devotion to God. It challenges believers to honestly examine what they hold dear and whether those attachments hinder their full surrender to Christ. True discipleship often calls for sacrifice and a reordering of priorities, ensuring that our ultimate treasure is found in seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, rather than in fleeting material wealth.

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.

  • 1 John 2:15

    Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

  • 1 John 2:16

    For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

  • 1 Timothy 6:9

    But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and [into] many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

  • 1 Timothy 6:10

    For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

  • Luke 12:15

    And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

  • 2 Timothy 4:10

    For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

  • Ephesians 5:5

    For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

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