Section 19:16–30
Jesus taught about entering the kingdom of heaven
In this section, a young man asked Jesus what he must do to get eternal life. Jesus gave him a standard answer, which was to obey God’s commands.
The young man apparently felt that this was not enough and asked what else he should do (19:20). Then Jesus told him to sell his possessions, give the money to the poor, and follow him. The young man was rich, and he was not willing to sell his things. So he left.
Jesus then used the rich young man as an example. He explained that riches make it difficult to enter the kingdom (19:23–24). The saying of a camel going through the eye of a needle was probably a well-known proverb about something impossible to do. Without God making it possible, neither a rich person nor anyone else is able to enter the kingdom (19:26).
Jesus also gave a promise that those whom he asked to leave their possessions and family behind to serve him would receive great rewards (19:29).
Here are some other possible headings for this section:
The Rich Young Man (New International Version)
-or-
A rich young man’s questions
There are parallel passages for this section in Mark 10:17–31 and Luke 18:18–30.
Paragraph 19:16–22
19:16a
Just then: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Just then literally means “look” or “see.” This word brings attention to the words that follow. If you have an expression in your language that someone uses when he wants to bring attention to something that he is about to say, you should use it here.
Here are some other ways to translate this word in its context:
And behold (English Standard Version)
-or-
Then it happened that (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
Many English versions do not translate this word here.
a man: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a man is more literally the word “one” (as in the Revised Standard Version). In 19:22, Matthew called him a “young man.” So here most English versions translate it as a man.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
a certain man
-or-
a young man
came up to Jesus: At the end of 19:15, Jesus began to travel. So the clause came up to Jesus probably means that the man met Jesus along the way.
This sentence starts a new section. So in some languages, it will be natural to mention the name of Jesus again. For example:
approached Jesus
19:16b
Teacher: Here, the word Teacher refers to a religious teacher. It was a polite title for a Jewish man who had authority to teach the things about God. Use a title that is an appropriate way to address a religious teacher in your culture. It should not refer only to a school teacher.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
Sir
-or-
Master
what good thing must I do: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as good thing is more literally just the adjective “good.” In this context it refers to deeds/activities that God considers good.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
what good must I do (Revised English Bible)
-or-
I must do which good work
to obtain: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as obtain means “have, obtain, possess.”
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
to possess (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
to gain (Revised English Bible)
-or-
to get (New International Version)
eternal life: The word eternal refers to something that does not end. The phrase eternal life refers to life in God’s kingdom. This life continues forever.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
unending life
-or-
life that never ends
In some languages, it may be best to translate life as a verb. For example:
to live eternally/forever
-or-
so that ⌊God will cause me⌋ to live forever
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