Mark 10 17

Mark 10:17 kjv

And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

Mark 10:17 nkjv

Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"

Mark 10:17 niv

As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

Mark 10:17 esv

And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

Mark 10:17 nlt

As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

Mark 10 verses

Mark 10 17 Meaning

Mark 10:17 opens a significant encounter between Jesus and a rich young man who seeks to understand the path to eternal life. This verse highlights the man's earnestness and respect, evident in his action of running and kneeling, coupled with his addressing Jesus as "Good Teacher." His question, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" frames the ensuing discussion around human effort versus divine grace, and the true cost of discipleship. It immediately sets the stage for a critical examination of what it genuinely means to seek and attain everlasting life, probing beyond superficial adherence to the Law.

Mark 10 17 Context

Mark 10:17 appears after a series of significant teachings by Jesus, placing the interaction with the rich young man in a deliberate context. Immediately prior, Jesus has taught about marriage and divorce, affirming the sanctity of the marital bond. Following this, he embraces and blesses little children, emphasizing that "the kingdom of God belongs to such as these" (Mark 10:14) and stating, "anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it" (Mark 10:15). This highlights the requirement of humility, trust, and a receptive spirit, contrasting sharply with any legalistic or self-righteous approach to God's favor. Thus, when the man asks what he must do to inherit eternal life, his question is immediately met with the previous themes of childlike faith and receiving a gift, rather than earning it. The entire section from Mark 10 onward focuses on true discipleship, self-denial, the perils of wealth, and the nature of the Kingdom of God, making this verse the pivotal point for these deeper revelations. Historically and culturally, Jewish society valued piety and adherence to the Torah as central to a blessed life, often associating wealth with divine favor. "Eternal life" (Hebrew: Olam HaBa) was understood as life in the world to come, often associated with a Messianic era, but its attainment could be debated between adherence to commandments, faith in God, or even a combination.

Mark 10 17 Word analysis

• As Jesus started: Implies Jesus was active, on a journey. This moment was spontaneous, the man initiating the encounter, not Jesus seeking him out.
• on his way: Greek: hodos (ὁδός). Denotes a physical journey, but often carries symbolic weight in Mark, referring to Jesus' path towards Jerusalem and his ultimate destiny.
• a man ran up to him: Demonstrates urgency, enthusiasm, and perhaps a level of desperation or respect. Running to a rabbi was unusual; it signifies exceptional eagerness and humility from someone who will be revealed as wealthy and influential.
• and fell on his knees: Greek: gonypetēs (γονυπετής). A posture of deep respect, reverence, supplication, or submission. Common when seeking a favor or instruction from a revered figure, or when showing deep humility before a king or divine presence. It highlights the man’s profound acknowledgment of Jesus' authority.
• before him: Directly and personally confronting Jesus.
• "Good teacher,": Greek: Agathe didaskale (ἀγαθὲ διδάσκαλε).
  • Good (Agathe): A descriptor not commonly applied to human teachers in Judaism in this absolute sense; usually reserved for God. This prompts Jesus' follow-up question in the next verse, challenging the man's understanding of "goodness" and perhaps of Jesus' identity.
  • Teacher (Didaskale): A respectful title for a Rabbi or a spiritual instructor. It indicates the man viewed Jesus as a source of authoritative knowledge regarding divine matters and the path to spiritual living.
• he asked: A direct question seeking specific instruction. The man genuinely wants to know.
• "what must I do": This phrase reveals the man’s fundamental framework for approaching eternal life – through meritorious deeds and adherence to commandments, common in first-century Jewish thought (legalistic interpretation). It contrasts sharply with the New Testament emphasis on grace and faith.
• to inherit: Greek: kleronomeō (κληρονομέω). Means to receive something as an heir, often through a family right or by promise, not by earning or achievement. The use of "inherit" alongside "do" presents a subtle tension or irony: if it’s an inheritance, it's a gift or a right, not something earned by works. This word is typically used in the Bible for receiving promises from God (e.g., Abraham inheriting the land, believers inheriting the kingdom or eternal life).
• eternal life?: Greek: zoēn aiōnion (ζωὴν αἰώνιον). Not merely unending existence, but life of a distinct quality – life characterized by God's own nature, an unending, true, and abundant relationship with Him. It signifies participation in the age to come and God's divine life, contrasting with transient earthly existence. This was a core desire among devout Jews of the period.

• "a man ran up...and fell on his knees before him": This action demonstrates not only physical exertion but profound spiritual hunger and reverence. It immediately sets him apart as someone seriously seeking, unlike a casual inquirer.
• "'Good teacher,' he asked, 'what must I do to inherit eternal life?'": This phrase encapsulates the central tension of the passage. The profound title given ("Good Teacher") shows respect, yet the question "what must I do" implies a legalistic mindset of earning something, which clashes with the concept of "inherit" which implies receiving a gift or promise. The inquiry reveals a spiritual quest, but also a misunderstanding of how eternal life is obtained.

Mark 10 17 Bonus section

The immediate recognition by the man of Jesus as a "Teacher" signifies the popular perception of Jesus as a respected Rabbi capable of authoritative instruction. His "running up" contrasts with Jesus' own purposeful "on his way" to Jerusalem, highlighting the divergence in their ultimate destinations – the man seeking life in the present age's terms, Jesus headed toward His sacrificial giving of life. The question about "inheriting" life subtly foreshadows Jesus' later teachings that the "Kingdom of God" (and eternal life) is something to be "received" or "entered into," not earned through external compliance alone, but through inner transformation and allegiance.

Mark 10 17 Commentary

Mark 10:17 is more than a simple narrative introduction; it immediately establishes the critical theological dilemma at the heart of the Christian faith. The man's eager approach and respectful address of "Good Teacher" signal a deep, perhaps well-meaning, desire for ultimate spiritual reality ("eternal life"). His question, "what must I do," underscores a prevalent human inclination towards earning salvation through deeds, aligning with a works-based understanding common in the broader religious context of the time. However, the subsequent tension introduced by the word "inherit" hints at a deeper truth: eternal life is not solely, or even primarily, a reward for human effort, but rather a divinely appointed gift to be received. Jesus' subsequent probing of the man's "good" reference (in verse 18, "No one is good—except God alone") serves to reorient the discussion, subtly shifting focus from human merit to divine character. This opening verse is thus a powerful setup, challenging the misconception that eternal life is a mere extension of one's pious resume and preparing the way for Jesus to reveal the radical demands of genuine discipleship and the truth of God's unilateral goodness and provision.