19:21a
If you want to be perfect: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to be perfect also means “to be complete/whole/mature.”
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
If you want to be complete
-or-
If you want to lack nothing
-or-
If you want to have no faults
19:21b
go: This is a command. It does not specify where the young man should go. It just assumes that he will have to go to where he lives to take care of what Jesus told him to do. It is the opposite of the verb “come” at the end of the verse.
sell: The verb sell assumes that the young man would get money for his possessions.
your possessions: In Greek, this phrase is plural. It refers to everything that the young man owned.
Here are some other ways to translate it:
what you possess (English Standard Version)
-or-
everything you own (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
all your property (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
and give to the poor: This clause implies that the young man should take the money he received for his possessions and give it to the poor. For example:
and give the money to the poor (New Century Version)
the poor: This phrase refers to people who are in poverty. They have little money and possessions.
Here is another way to translate this clause:
poor people
19:21c
and: In Greek, 19:21c is joined to the beginning of the verse with the common conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible frequently translates as and.
Here are some other ways to begin 19:21c:
If you do this (New Century Version)
-or-
As a result
you will have treasure in heaven: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as treasure refers to something that is very valuable. The phrase treasure in heaven probably refers to rewards from God. (This same phrase occurs in 6:20a.) God will reward his people for “acts of righteousness” such as giving to the poor (6:2–4).
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
• Use the same word for treasures as in 6:19a. Such a word can be used to refer to figurative or spiritual treasures. For example:
you will have treasure/wealth in heaven
-or-
you will have riches in heaven (Good News Translation)
• Use a word or expression that refers to spiritual treasures. For example:
you will have rewards in heaven for doing good
-or-
you will receive that which is worth much in heaven
19:21d
Then come, follow Me: Here, Jesus used the verb follow in a figurative sense. He meant that the young man should become his disciple.
Here is another way to translate this clause:
Then come and be my follower (Contemporary English Version)
This figurative sense of the word follow first occurs in 4:19a. See the note there for more information.
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