Matthew 19:20

The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

The young man {G3495} saith {G3004} unto him {G846}, All {G3956} these things {G5023} have I kept {G5442} from {G1537} my {G3450} youth up {G3503}: what {G5101} lack {G5302} I yet {G2089}?

The young man said to him, "I have kept all these; where do I still fall short?"

“All these I have kept,” said the young man. “What do I still lack?”

The young man saith unto him, All these things have I observed: what lack I yet?

Matthew 19:20 KJV Commentary

Context

This verse is part of the well-known encounter between Jesus and the Rich Young Ruler, found in Matthew 19:16-30. The young man, who was evidently wealthy and influential, approached Jesus asking what good thing he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus initially directed him to keep the commandments. The young man's confident reply in verse 20, "All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?", reveals his perception of his own righteousness. He believed he had perfectly fulfilled the Law of Moses since childhood, a common aspiration among devout Jews of that era who sought to earn God's favor through strict obedience.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Self-Righteousness and Human Limitation: The young man's statement highlights a common human tendency to rely on one's own efforts and moral performance for salvation. He genuinely believed his external obedience to the Law was sufficient, yet his question, "what lack I yet?", betrays an underlying sense of spiritual incompleteness.
  • The Law's Purpose: This interaction underscores that while the Law is holy and good, it cannot ultimately grant eternal life because no one can perfectly keep it. Instead, the Law serves to expose humanity's inability to achieve righteousness on its own and points to a deeper spiritual need. The law reveals sin and our need for a Savior.
  • Beyond External Obedience: Jesus' subsequent challenge to the young man (in Matthew 19:21) reveals that true righteousness and eternal life require more than just outward adherence to rules; they demand a complete surrender of the heart and a willingness to prioritize God above all else, including wealth and possessions.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "what lack I yet?" comes from the Greek word ὑστερέω (hystereo), which means to be deficient, to fall short, to be behind, or to be in need. It implies that despite his meticulous adherence to the commandments, the young man sensed a void or an unfulfilled requirement. He wasn't just asking "what else should I do?", but rather "what am I still missing to be complete or perfect in God's eyes?" This subtle linguistic nuance emphasizes his underlying spiritual hunger, even amidst his outward confidence.

Practical Application

This verse challenges believers today to examine the foundation of their faith. Are we relying on our good deeds, moral uprightness, or religious observances as a means to earn God's favor or eternal life? The encounter with the Rich Young Ruler teaches us that true salvation is not achieved through human effort or perfect law-keeping, but through a humble recognition of our spiritual need and a complete surrender to Christ. It also prompts us to consider what "things" we might be holding onto—be it wealth, status, comfort, or self-reliance—that prevent us from fully embracing Christ's call to radical discipleship. Our greatest "lack" is often not in what we do, but in the complete devotion of our hearts to God.

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.

  • Galatians 3:24

    Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

  • Philippians 3:6

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

  • Mark 10:20

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

  • 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.

  • Luke 18:21

    And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.

  • 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.

  • Romans 3:19

    ¶ Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

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