The Rich Young Ruler
Mark 10:17-27 · Berean Standard Bible
In the account of the rich young ruler (Mark 10:17-27), a wealthy man asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus tells him to sell everything, give to the poor, and follow Him — but the man goes away sad because he had great wealth. It leads to Jesus' famous saying that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for the rich to enter God's kingdom, yet 'with God all things are possible.'
17As Jesus started on His way, a man ran up and knelt before Him. “Good Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
18“Why do you call Me good?” Jesus replied. “No one is good except God alone.
19You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not cheat others, honor your father and mother.’”
20“Teacher,” he replied, “all these I have kept from my youth.”
21Jesus 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.”
22But the man was saddened by these words and went away in sorrow, because he had great wealth.
23Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”
24And the disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!
25It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
26They were even more astonished and said to one another, “Who then can be saved?”
27Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”
Read the wider context: Mark 10.
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Related passages
- The Narrow Gate and the Wide Gate — Matthew 7:13-14
- The Parable of the Rich Fool — Luke 12:16-21
- What Does the Bible Say About Money? — 1 Timothy 6:6-10
- The Story of Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22:1–19) — Genesis 22:1-19