Matthew 19:21

Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go [and] sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come [and] follow me.

Jesus {G2424} said {G5346} unto him {G846}, If {G1487} thou wilt {G2309} be {G1511} perfect {G5046}, go {G5217} and sell {G4453} that thou {G4675} hast {G5224}, and {G2532} give {G1325} to the poor {G4434}, and {G2532} thou shalt have {G2192} treasure {G2344} in {G1722} heaven {G3772}: and {G2532} come {G1204} and follow {G190} me {G3427}.

Yeshua said to him, "If you are serious about reaching the goal, go and sell your possessions, give to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven. Then come, follow me!"

Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”

Jesus said unto him, If thou wouldest be perfect, go, sell that which thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

Commentary

Commentary on Matthew 19:21 (KJV)

Matthew 19:21 records a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, where He directly addresses the spiritual challenge faced by a wealthy young man. This verse is central to understanding the demands of true discipleship and the nature of heavenly reward.

Context

This verse is part of Jesus' encounter with the rich young ruler, who approached Him asking, "Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?" After Jesus affirmed the importance of keeping the commandments, the young man claimed to have kept them all from his youth up, then asked, "What lack I yet?" Jesus' response in Matthew 19:21 pinpoints the one thing holding him back from complete devotion.

Key Themes

  • The Nature of "Perfection": Jesus' use of "perfect" (Greek: teleios) here doesn't imply sinless flawlessness, but rather a completeness or wholeness of devotion to God. It signifies a readiness to commit entirely, letting go of anything that hinders radical discipleship. For this young man, it was his attachment to wealth.
  • The Challenge of Riches: The command to "sell that thou hast, and give to the poor" directly addresses the ruler's primary obstacle: his great possessions. For him, wealth had become an idol, hindering his ability to serve God wholeheartedly. This highlights the spiritual danger of material attachment.
  • Treasure in Heaven: The promise of "treasure in heaven" contrasts sharply with earthly riches. This eternal reward is far superior and enduring, aligning with Jesus' broader teaching to lay up treasures in heaven, where they are safe from decay and theft.
  • The Call to Follow Christ: The ultimate command, "and come [and] follow me," encapsulates the essence of discipleship. It's an invitation to a personal relationship with Jesus, requiring a willingness to surrender all and align one's life with His purposes.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "perfect" is teleios (τέλειος), which means complete, full-grown, or mature. It speaks of spiritual completeness, not moral impeccability. The phrase "follow me" comes from the Greek akoloutheo (ἀκολουθέω), meaning to accompany, attend, or become a disciple, implying active participation and commitment to Jesus' way of life.

Practical Application

While this specific command to sell all possessions was tailored to the rich young ruler's unique obstacle, the underlying principles are universal for believers today. This verse challenges us to examine our own hearts and identify anything that might be hindering our complete devotion to Christ. It encourages:

  • Prioritizing God: Are our possessions or worldly aspirations more important than our relationship with God?
  • Generosity: A willingness to share our resources with those in need, reflecting God's love and compassion.
  • Detachment from Materialism: Cultivating a heart that holds earthly things loosely, recognizing that true wealth is found in Christ and eternal rewards.
  • Radical Discipleship: Being prepared to surrender whatever God asks, trusting that His path leads to true life and heavenly treasure.

Ultimately, Matthew 19:21 is a powerful call to wholehearted commitment, reminding us that following Jesus may require significant personal sacrifice, but it promises an incomparable eternal reward.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Mark 10:21 (19 votes)

    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 18:22 (15 votes)

    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.

  • Luke 12:33 (14 votes)

    Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

  • Luke 14:33 (13 votes)

    So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

  • Acts 2:45 (12 votes)

    And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all [men], as every man had need.

  • Luke 9:23 (9 votes)

    And he said to [them] all, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

  • John 12:26 (9 votes)

    If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will [my] Father honour.