Mark 10:21 – “Jesus looked at him and loved him. ‘One thing you lack,’ he said. ‘Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’”
Extended Explanation
In this verse, Jesus responds to the rich young man’s claim that he has kept all the commandments since he was a boy. Before giving the man His answer, Jesus looks at him with love. This is an important detail—it shows that Jesus isn’t being harsh or judgmental but is addressing the man’s spiritual need out of genuine concern for his soul.
Jesus tells the man that he lacks one thing: a heart that is fully surrendered to God. He instructs him to sell everything he owns, give the money to the poor, and follow Him. This isn’t just about giving away wealth; it’s about removing the obstacle that stands between the man and God. The man’s attachment to his wealth reveals that, despite his outward obedience, his heart is divided. Jesus is calling him to let go of his earthly security and trust completely in God.
The invitation to “come, follow me” shows that salvation is not about simply following rules—it’s about following Jesus.
Historical Context
In first-century Jewish culture, wealth was often seen as a sign of God’s blessing. Many believed that those who were wealthy had God’s favor and were more likely to be righteous. This belief would have made Jesus’ command shocking, both to the man and to those listening. The idea that wealth could be an obstacle to eternal life was countercultural.
It was also common for Jewish teachers to encourage charitable giving, but Jesus goes much further here. Instead of suggesting that the man give a portion of his wealth to the poor, Jesus tells him to give it all away. This radical command is not a general rule for all believers but a specific instruction for this man, whose heart was too tied to his possessions.
By asking the man to give up everything and follow Him, Jesus is making it clear that the path to eternal life isn’t about worldly success or religious achievements. It’s about wholehearted devotion to God.
Theological Implications
This verse highlights the theological truth that salvation requires surrender. The man had obeyed God’s commandments outwardly, but his wealth had become an idol in his heart. Jesus’ command reveals that following Him means giving up anything that takes priority over God. For this man, it was his wealth, but for others, it could be relationships, ambitions, or personal comfort.
Theologically, this verse also shows that salvation is not something we earn by doing good deeds. The man had kept the commandments but still lacked what was most important: a relationship with Jesus. True discipleship involves more than moral behavior—it requires complete trust in God and a willingness to sacrifice whatever stands in the way.
Additionally, Jesus’ mention of “treasure in heaven” emphasizes the eternal rewards of following Him. Earthly wealth is temporary, but the blessings of obedience and faith in God are eternal.
Literary Analysis
Mark’s use of the phrase “Jesus looked at him and loved him” adds depth to the narrative. This small detail reveals Jesus’ compassion and concern for the man, setting the tone for what could otherwise be seen as a harsh command. The structure of the verse builds from love to challenge: Jesus acknowledges the man’s sincerity, identifies what he lacks, and then invites him to a deeper relationship.
The progression from selling possessions to following Jesus illustrates that true discipleship requires action. It’s not enough to believe intellectually or behave morally—Jesus calls for a total commitment.
The command to “sell everything” and “follow me” echoes similar invitations throughout the Gospels, where Jesus calls people to leave behind their old lives and follow Him (e.g., Matthew 4:19).
Biblical Cross-References
- Matthew 6:19-21 – “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”
- Luke 12:33-34 – “Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail.”
- Matthew 16:24 – “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.’”
- 1 Timothy 6:17-19 – Paul warns the wealthy not to put their hope in riches but to be rich in good deeds and store up treasure in heaven.
These passages reinforce the themes of surrender, eternal treasure, and the dangers of trusting in earthly wealth.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse challenges us to examine what might be standing between us and a fully devoted relationship with God. While Jesus’ command to sell everything was specific to the rich young man, the principle applies to all believers: we must be willing to let go of anything that competes with God for first place in our hearts.
This doesn’t necessarily mean we have to sell all our possessions, but it does mean that we should hold everything—our money, relationships, careers, and ambitions—with open hands. If God calls us to give something up for the sake of following Him, we should be willing to do so.
This verse also reminds us that true treasure is found in heaven, not in the temporary wealth and comforts of this world. As followers of Christ, our ultimate security should be in Him, not in material possessions.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is at the heart of this verse. Jesus’ command to the man may seem difficult, but it is rooted in love. He doesn’t tell the man to give up his wealth to punish him—He does it to free him from the spiritual bondage of materialism. God’s love calls us to surrender not to take away our joy but to lead us to something far greater: eternal life and treasure in heaven.
This verse also shows that God’s love is personal. Jesus could see into the man’s heart and knew exactly what was holding him back. In the same way, God knows what we need to surrender in order to grow closer to Him. His love is patient and compassionate, but it also calls us to make hard decisions for the sake of our spiritual growth.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus is central to this verse because He is the one inviting the man to follow Him. This isn’t just a call to obey moral commands—it’s a call to enter into a personal relationship with Jesus, who is the only way to eternal life (John 14:6).
Jesus’ command to give up everything and follow Him reflects His own life of sacrifice. He left the glory of heaven, lived humbly on earth, and gave up His life on the cross for our salvation (Philippians 2:6-8). By following Jesus, the man would be walking in the footsteps of the One who sacrificed everything for him.
This passage ultimately points to the gospel message: salvation is not about what we can do or give up on our own. It is about trusting Jesus completely, knowing that He has already given everything for us.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Why do you think Jesus looked at the man with love before giving Him this difficult command?
- What does this verse teach us about the relationship between wealth and following God?
- Are there any possessions, relationships, or ambitions that you hold too tightly, preventing you from fully following Jesus?
- How does Jesus’ invitation to “come, follow me” challenge your understanding of discipleship?
- How can we store up “treasures in heaven” in our daily lives?
- What comfort do you find in knowing that Jesus doesn’t just call us to sacrifice, but He also sacrificed everything for us?