Mark 10:22

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 10:22 vividly portrays the rich young ruler's profound internal conflict and ultimate rejection of Jesus's radical call to discipleship. Faced with the demand to divest himself of his considerable wealth and follow Christ, the man's deep attachment to his possessions led him to depart from Jesus with visible sadness and inner grief, prioritizing earthly security over the promise of heavenly treasure and eternal life.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus's direct and challenging command to the wealthy young man who had approached Him, seeking to know what he must do to [inherit eternal life](/mark/10-17 "Mark 10:17 - The Rich Young Ruler's Question"). After affirming the traditional commandments, 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" ([Mark 10:21](/mark/10-21 "Mark 10:21 - Jesus's Radical Command")). Verse 22 is the man's direct emotional and physical response to this specific, counter-cultural, and deeply personal demand. It sets the stage for Jesus's subsequent teaching on the difficulty for the wealthy to enter the Kingdom of God, found in [Mark 10:23-27](/mark/10-23-27 "Mark 10:23-27 - Jesus's Teaching on Wealth").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Jewish society, wealth was often perceived as a sign of God's blessing and favor, making the idea of divesting oneself of it counter-intuitive and scandalous. Poverty, conversely, was sometimes associated with divine displeasure. Jesus's radical call to the rich young ruler directly challenged this prevailing worldview. Furthermore, discipleship in the ancient world often involved leaving one's former life and livelihood to follow a teacher, but Jesus's demand here went beyond typical expectations, requiring a complete renunciation of a significant source of security and status. The concept of "taking up the cross" (though not fully understood in its ultimate Christological sense at this point) already implied a willingness to embrace hardship and self-denial, a stark contrast to the man's comfortable existence.

* **Key Themes:** Mark 10:22 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the Gospel of Mark. It underscores the **radical cost of discipleship**, demonstrating that following Jesus demands absolute allegiance, often requiring the surrender of earthly comforts and idols, as seen in the broader narrative of [Mark 8:34-37](/mark/8-34-37 "Mark 8:34-37 - The Call to Self-Denial"). The verse also highlights the **hindrance of material wealth** to spiritual progress, illustrating how possessions can become a significant barrier to entering the Kingdom of God, a theme Jesus expands upon immediately after this encounter (cf. [Mark 10:23-25](/mark/10-23-25 "Mark 10:23-25 - The Camel and the Eye of a Needle")). Finally, it reveals the **human struggle with divided loyalties**, where the desire for eternal life clashes with the love of worldly security, echoing Jesus's teaching about the impossibility of [serving two masters](/matthew/6-24 "Matthew 6:24 - Serving God and Mammon").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sad (Greek, _stygnázō'_):** This word, G4768, literally means "to render gloomy," or "to glower." In this context, it describes the man's external, visible reaction—a darkening of his countenance, a frown, or a look of displeasure and distress. It suggests a sudden, outward manifestation of his internal turmoil, indicating that Jesus's words struck him deeply and negatively.
* **grieved (Greek, _lypéō'_):** G3076, derived from _lypē_ (sorrow), signifies a deep, internal emotional pain, sorrow, or distress. While _stygnázō_ describes the outward appearance, _lypéō_ points to the profound inner anguish and regret the man felt. He wasn't merely disappointed; he was genuinely pained by the choice he felt compelled to make, revealing a heart torn between his desire for eternal life and his love for his wealth.
* **possessions (Greek, _ktēma'_):** G2933, an acquirement or estate, refers to his accumulated property, wealth, and goods. The accompanying adjective "great" (_polýs_, G4183) emphasizes the vastness of his fortune. This was not just a comfortable living but a significant, extensive estate, which represented not only his material security but also his social status and perhaps even his identity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he was sad at that saying":** This clause describes the rich young ruler's immediate, visible reaction to Jesus's radical command to sell all his possessions and follow Him. The word "sad" (Greek _stygnázō_) conveys a darkening of his expression, a gloomy or stern look, indicating his displeasure and distress at the unexpected and challenging nature of Jesus's words. It shows the command hit him hard, directly confronting his deepest attachments.
* **"and went away grieved":** This part of the verse details the man's physical departure and the underlying emotional state that prompted it. His "going away" signifies his refusal to accept Jesus's terms for discipleship. The word "grieved" (Greek _lypéō_) reveals a profound internal sorrow and pain, suggesting a genuine struggle and a deep reluctance to abandon his wealth, even though he had sought eternal life. His grief was not just disappointment, but a deep-seated anguish over the choice he ultimately made.
* **"for he had great possessions":** This final clause provides the explicit reason for the man's sadness and departure. His "great possessions" were the insurmountable obstacle. This statement highlights the central conflict: his immense wealth, which should have been a means to bless others, had instead become an idol, binding his heart and preventing him from fully surrendering to Christ's call. It underscores the spiritual danger of material attachment.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 10:22 employs several powerful literary devices. **Pathos** is evident in the description of the man's emotional state ("sad" and "grieved"), inviting the reader to empathize with his struggle and the pain of his choice. This emotional portrayal makes the narrative more impactful and relatable. There is also a subtle **irony** in the scene: the man approaches Jesus seeking eternal life, yet his attachment to temporal possessions ultimately prevents him from embracing the path to it. His quest for ultimate spiritual gain is thwarted by his unwillingness to relinquish material security. Furthermore, the "great possessions" serve as powerful **symbolism**, representing not just wealth itself, but any earthly attachment or idol that can hinder one's complete devotion to God. They symbolize the spiritual chains that prevent true freedom in Christ, contrasting sharply with the "treasure in heaven" that Jesus offered.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 10:22 stands as a stark reminder of the radical demands of authentic discipleship, illustrating that the Kingdom of God often requires a reordering of priorities that challenges our most cherished earthly securities. It reveals that while God desires all people to come to Him, human attachment to material wealth can create an insurmountable barrier, demonstrating a heart divided between God and mammon. The rich young ruler's sorrowful departure underscores the profound spiritual danger of allowing anything—even something seemingly benign like wealth—to take precedence over absolute surrender to Christ's Lordship. This incident serves as a timeless cautionary tale, emphasizing that true spiritual riches are found not in what we accumulate, but in what we are willing to surrender for the sake of the Gospel.

* [Matthew 19:22](/matthew/19-22 "Matthew 19:22 - The Parallel Account")
* [Luke 18:23](/luke/18-23 "Luke 18:23 - The Parallel Account")
* [1 Timothy 6:10](/1_timothy/6-10 "1 Timothy 6:10 - The Love of Money")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The poignant scene in Mark 10:22 compels us to deeply examine our own hearts and identify any "great possessions"—whether material wealth, status, comfort, relationships, or even our own ambitions—that might be hindering our full and unreserved surrender to Jesus Christ. The rich young ruler's sadness and grief reveal the painful reality of a heart divided, unwilling to relinquish what it holds dear, even when faced with the clear call of God. This passage challenges us to consider what we truly treasure and whether our priorities align with the values of the Kingdom. True discipleship often demands radical sacrifice and a willingness to let go of anything that competes with our devotion to God. It calls us to trust that God's provision and the "treasure in heaven" far outweigh any earthly security or comfort we might cling to.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "great possessions" in my life might be hindering my full surrender to Jesus Christ?**
* **Am I willing to release my grip on earthly securities to follow Christ more fully?**
* **How does my pursuit of material comfort or success compare to my pursuit of God's Kingdom?**
* **What specific steps can I take to reorder my priorities and demonstrate greater trust in God's provision?**

### FAQ

**Why was the rich young ruler sad and grieved?**

Answer: The rich young ruler was sad and grieved because Jesus's command to "sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor... and come, take up the cross, and follow me" ([Mark 10:21](/mark/10-21 "Mark 10:21 - Jesus's Radical Command")) directly challenged his deepest attachment: his great possessions. His sadness (Greek _stygnázō_) indicates a visible, gloomy expression of distress, while his grief (Greek _lypéō_) points to a profound internal sorrow. He was torn between his desire for eternal life and his unwillingness to part with his vast wealth, ultimately choosing his material security over radical discipleship.

**Did Jesus demand that everyone sell all their possessions?**

Answer: No, Jesus did not demand that everyone sell all their possessions. Jesus's command to the rich young ruler was a specific, diagnostic call tailored to expose the idol in that particular man's heart. For others, Jesus called them to leave their nets and follow Him, as with Peter and Andrew ([Mark 1:16-18](/mark/1-16-18 "Mark 1:16-18 - The Call of Peter and Andrew")), or to simply follow Him as He was, like Levi (Matthew) who left his tax booth ([Mark 2:14](/mark/2-14 "Mark 2:14 - The Call of Levi")). The principle is not universal divestment, but rather the removal of anything that hinders one's complete devotion to Christ and trust in God's provision. The core issue is where one's heart and ultimate security lie, as Jesus taught in [Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19-21 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Treasures in Heaven").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The rich young ruler's sorrowful departure in [Mark 10:22](/mark/10-22 "Mark 10:22 - The Rich Young Ruler's Departure") stands in stark contrast to the perfect obedience and self-emptying of Jesus Christ. While the ruler could not relinquish his earthly wealth, Christ, "though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich" ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Self-Impoverishment")). Jesus, the true treasure, gave up all the glory of heaven to take on human form ([Philippians 2:6-8](/philippians/2-6-8 "Philippians 2:6-8 - Christ's Humiliation")), ultimately laying down His very life as the ultimate sacrifice for humanity's sin ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd")). The ruler's failure highlights humanity's inherent inability to achieve salvation through personal merit or sacrifice, pointing to the necessity of a Savior who perfectly fulfills God's demands. In Christ, we find the true "treasure in heaven" that the ruler sought but could not grasp, for He is the one who offers eternal life freely to those who surrender all to Him, not by their own efforts, but by faith in His finished work ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith")). He is the ultimate possession, worth more than all the world's riches ([Philippians 3:7-8](/philippians/3-7-8 "Philippians 3:7-8 - Paul's Gain in Christ")).

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

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.