Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said to him, One thing you lack: go your way, sell whatever you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
loved.
Genesis 34:19 And the young man deferred not to do the thing, because he had delight in Jacob's daughter: and he was more honourable than all the house of his father.
Isaiah 63:8-10 For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour…
Luke 19:41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,
One thing.
Luke 10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
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.
James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
sell.
Proverbs 23:23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
Matthew 13:44-46 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field…
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.
treasure.
Matthew 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: …
Luke 16:9 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.
1 Timothy 6:17-19 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; …
take.
Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Luke 9:23 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.
loved him
The love Jesus shows here is agape love, a selfless, unconditional love that seeks the best for others. This love is significant because it demonstrates Jesus' compassion and genuine concern for the man's spiritual well-being. It reflects the nature of God, who is love (1 John 4:8), and aligns with the greatest commandments to love God and neighbor (Mark 12:30-31).
and said to him
Jesus' words are authoritative and carry the weight of divine wisdom. His speech often reveals truth and challenges individuals to consider their spiritual state. This moment is a direct communication from the Messiah, emphasizing the importance of the message that follows.
“There is one thing you lack:
This statement highlights the man's spiritual deficiency despite his adherence to the law. It underscores the idea that salvation and eternal life cannot be earned through works alone but require a heart fully surrendered to God. This echoes the theme of the insufficiency of the law for salvation, as Paul discusses in Romans 3:20.
Go, sell everything you own and give to the poor,
Jesus challenges the man to relinquish his material wealth, which is a barrier to his spiritual growth. This command reflects the biblical principle of detachment from earthly possessions to gain spiritual riches (Matthew 6:19-21). It also aligns with the teachings of generosity and care for the poor found throughout Scripture (Proverbs 19:17).
and you will have treasure in heaven.
This promise of heavenly treasure contrasts with earthly wealth, emphasizing the eternal value of spiritual investments. It connects to Jesus' teachings on storing up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:20) and the concept of eternal rewards for those who follow God's will (1 Corinthians 3:12-14).
Then come, follow Me.”
The call to follow Jesus is an invitation to discipleship, requiring total commitment and prioritization of Christ above all else. This mirrors Jesus' earlier calls to His disciples (Mark 1:17) and encapsulates the essence of Christian life—following Jesus' example and teachings. It also reflects the cost of discipleship, as seen in Luke 9:23.
• The Lord’s gaze is never superficial. He “needed no testimony about man, for He knew what was in a man” (John 2:25).
• As in 1 Samuel 16:7, God sees past achievements and possessions to the heart.
• This look underscores personal attention: the same Savior who watched the widow’s two coins (Mark 12:41-44) now focuses on one soul.
• Before a word of challenge, Jesus’ affection is made explicit—echoing Romans 5:8, where Christ loved us “while we were still sinners.”
• Love motivates correction (Hebrews 12:6). The rich man is not shamed; he is cherished.
• John 13:34 shows that Christ’s love is the model for all commands that follow.
• Divine love speaks truth (Ephesians 4:15).
• The Savior’s words carry unique authority; people recognized that He “taught as one who had authority, and not as the scribes” (Mark 1:22).
• Peter affirmed, “You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). The forthcoming instruction is life-giving, not optional advice.
• Outward obedience (Mark 10:19-20) did not equal inward surrender. James 2:10 reminds us that failing in one point breaks the whole law.
• The “one thing” parallels Psalm 27:4’s longing for God alone and Luke 10:42’s commendation of Mary: wholehearted devotion.
• Spiritual inventory often reveals a single, ruling attachment that blocks full allegiance to Christ.
• The command is specific, yet its principle is universal: anything treasured above God must be released (Matthew 6:24).
• Jesus had taught, “Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide yourselves purses that will not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven” (Luke 12:33).
• By liquidating assets for the needy, the man would exchange temporal wealth for eternal “treasure in heaven,” aligning with 1 Timothy 6:17-19.
• The directive highlights stewardship, compassion, and faith that God repays beyond earthly loss (Proverbs 19:17).
• Discipleship is not merely subtraction (giving up) but addition (gaining Christ).
• “Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me” (Mark 8:34).
• The rich man is invited into the same fellowship granted to Peter, James, and John (Matthew 4:19).
• Following Jesus guarantees guidance now (John 8:12) and home with Him forever (John 14:3).
Jesus’ penetrating look, compassionate love, and authoritative word expose the rich man’s hidden idol. One prized attachment bars total devotion. Christ calls for radical generosity, promising greater heavenly riches, and issues the ultimate invitation: “Follow Me.” The passage affirms that saving faith surrenders all to gain the incomparable treasure of Christ Himself.
(21) Then Jesus beholding him loved him.--Better, looking, or gazing on him. The fact is narrated by St. Mark only, and implies that the love showed itself in the stedfast look, perhaps also in the kiss upon the brow with which the Rabbis of the time showed their approval of their more promising disciples.Come, take up the cross.--This also is peculiar to St. Mark. In using such words our Lord taught the questioner, as He had before taught His disciples, with what clear prevision He looked forward to the form and manner of His death.
Verse 21. - And Jesus looking upon him loved him. (ἐμβλέψας αὐτῶ ἠγάπησεν αὐτόν) This is another of St. Mark's graphic touches - an exquisite piece of word-painting, probably supplied to him by St. Peter. The words express most vividly an earnest, tender, searching look. They seem, if it may be said reverently, to combine the Divine penetration with human sympathy and compassion. The counsel of our Lord which follows was not a general command, but a particular precept, which the young ruler specially needed. One thing thou lackest. In St. Matthew (Matthew 19:21) the words are, "If thou wouldest be perfect." But our Lord's words here, "One thing thou lackest," fit in excellently with the young ruler's question given just before in St. Matthew, "What lack I yet?" showing a substantial unity in the narrative, with just that variety which we should expect in the account of the same incident given by two independent but equally trustworthy witnesses. The "one thing thou lackest" of St. Mark, and "if thou writ be perfect of St. Matthew, both point to the same conclusion - that our Lord's object was to reveal this young man to himself. His stumbling-block was his wealth; and so our Savior at once pierces his besetting sin of covetousness. The precept was a special counsel to him; it directed him to do something which, as our Lord saw, was in his case necessary to his salvation. He could not follow Christ without parting with this sin, and with that which ministered to it. This was his particular spiritual difficulty.