Mark 10: 17-31 - Jesus Speaks with a Rich Man About What Really Matter
Mark 10:17) As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18) Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. 19) You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.’”20) He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.” 21) Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come and follow me.” 22) When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions. 23) Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24) And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25) It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 26) They were greatly astounded and said to one another, “Then who can be saved?” 27) Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.” 28) Peter began to say to him, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.” 29) Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, 30) who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. 31) But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
Background: Mark placed his version of the story of Jesus and the rich man within a much longer section describing the boundaries and parameters of discipleship. He included teaching about discipleship in marriage, discipleship in childlike faith, and discipleship in suffering. Today’s story teaches about discipleship and the freedom from possessions. The passage emphasizes the disciples’ lack of understanding about the ways and reign of God. Here we also see the rich man’s lack of understanding about the subtleties of idolatry and the necessity of grace alone for salvation.
What is idolatry? Idolatry is the placing of anything on a par with or above God and God’s claims on human life. The central theme of this passage is the power of any idolatry, particularly that of money and possessions, to exclude even good and religious people from the promised life of fullness with God.
Word Study
Vs. 17 – setting out on a journey – Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem for the last time. He will be crucified there before long.
Good teacher – this was not a customary phrase in either Hebrew or Greek. He may have been trying to flatter Jesus.
What must I do to inherit eternal life? – For many years people had come to the Temple and asked the question “What must I do to enter and to share in life?” This question was answered by the priests with a reminder of the commandments, as Jesus does here.
Inherit – this would have been a natural way of thinking for a wealthy man. He wanted to know what conditions he must legally meet in order to receive his inheritance from God.
Eternal life – in Mark this is a synonym for the kingdom of God or being saved. It had implications for the afterlife, but had most to do with how to maintain intimacy and communion with God whether here or in the hereafter.
Vs. 18 – No one is good but God alone – recalls the opening of the 10 Commandments in Deuteronomy 5:6.
Vs. 21 – looking at him – a phrase characteristic of Mark. It is a sweeping intense gaze, a gaze that sees through to the core.
One thing – the five imperative commands that follow (go, sell, give, come, follow) are all one thing to Jesus. The man cannot pick and choose which are palatable. Jesus recognizes that the man has one central and overriding decision to make; will he allow Jesus and his radical kingdom values to completely rule his life or not?
Vs. 22 _ shocked – lit. his face fell. Also translated as ‘become gloomy, dark or appalled.’
Grieving – deep sadness as after the death of a loved one.
Vs. 23 – how hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God – this is a statement of fact, not an announcement of judgment.
Vs. 24 – perplexed – exceedingly astonished, profoundly shaken. The disciples believed that wealth was a sign of God’s favor and satisfaction with a person. Wealthy people were considered to be especially righteous or holy. Jesus turns this notion on its head!
Children – this word reminds us of the previous section in which he elevates childlike faith and lack of status as icons through which to see kingdom values.
Vs. 25 – it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle…- Contrary to some legends, there was no gate called the Eye of the Needle until centuries after Jesus’ life. To try to find some explanation that would make it possible, although difficult, for a camel to go through the eye of a needle is to completely miss the point! The point is that we cannot save ourselves. Period. It is impossible. Apparently it is even more notoriously impossible for the rich because of the insidious rivalry that can grow in the human heart between God and wealth.
Vs. 27 – This is the key point! We may be unable. But God is able.
Vs. 30 – receive a hundredfold now in this age – this refers to the commonality of shared possessions in the Christian community.
Questions for Personal Reflection
1. How does money and wealth get in the way of the reign of God today? What are some of the competing gods in our culture? Church?
2. What are the areas of your life you find most difficult to submit to God’s rule?
3. Can you think of a time when you believe Jesus called you to take a particular action and you refused or resisted? What were the results?