Mark 10 21

Mark 10:21 kjv

Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

Mark 10:21 nkjv

Then Jesus, looking at 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 will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me."

Mark 10:21 niv

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."

Mark 10:21 esv

And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."

Mark 10:21 nlt

Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. "There is still one thing you haven't done," he told him. "Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

Mark 10 verses

Mark 10 21 Meaning

Mark 10:21 reveals Jesus' profound compassion and direct challenge to a wealthy young man who sought eternal life. Jesus, seeing the man's moral uprightness yet discerning his ultimate attachment to worldly possessions, calls him to radical self-denial. The "one thing" he lacked was a heart completely surrendered to God, demonstrating a willingness to prioritize heavenly treasure over earthly wealth. The call to sell all, give to the poor, take up the cross, and follow Him constitutes a comprehensive invitation to true discipleship—a life of radical sacrifice and exclusive allegiance to Christ. This verse highlights that salvation is not merely adherence to laws but requires total submission and a willingness to surrender one's most cherished idols for the sake of the Kingdom.

Mark 10 21 Context

Mark chapter 10 presents a series of teachings by Jesus regarding marriage and divorce (vv. 1-12), the blessing of children (vv. 13-16), and the challenging encounter with the rich young ruler (vv. 17-31). Directly preceding verse 21, the young man has approached Jesus, asking what he must do to inherit eternal life (v. 17). Jesus first points him to the commandments, which the man claims to have kept from his youth (vv. 18-20). It is in response to this self-assured declaration of obedience that Jesus issues the specific and radical instruction in verse 21. This dialogue then leads into a broader discussion with His disciples about the difficulty for the rich to enter the Kingdom and the limitless power of God to accomplish what is humanly impossible (vv. 23-27), followed by Peter's question about their own sacrifices and Jesus' promise of recompense for those who have left everything for the gospel (vv. 28-31). Historically, Jewish society esteemed wealth, often viewing it as a sign of divine favor and blessing for obedience to God's laws. Jesus' direct challenge to the rich young ruler thus confronts this deeply ingrained cultural perspective, elevating spiritual devotion and self-sacrificing love for others above material prosperity.

Mark 10 21 Word analysis

• Then Jesus: Jesus initiates the critical moment. His presence defines the encounter.
• looking at him: From the Greek emblepsas (ἐμβλέψας), indicating an intense, penetrating, and focused gaze. This was not a casual glance but an earnest look that went beyond the surface, directly into the heart of the individual, perceiving his deepest affections and priorities. It implies insight and discernment into the man's spiritual state.
• loved him: From the Greek ēgapēsen (ἠγάπησεν), derived from agapaō, signifying a divine, unconditional, and sacrificial love. Despite knowing the man's future refusal, Jesus’ love was genuine, flowing from His very nature. This love preceded and informed His challenging command, indicating it was for the man’s true good, an invitation borne out of compassion rather than condemnation.
• and said to him: Direct address, highlighting the personal nature of the instruction.
• One thing you lack: From the Greek hen se hysterei (ἓν σε ὑστερεῖ), meaning "one thing is wanting/deficient in you" or "you are short of one thing." This phrase pinpoints the critical flaw despite the man's moral living and obedience to commandments—a spiritual deficiency or an attachment that superseded God.
• Go your way: An imperative, commanding action. It implies a departure from his current way of life and an embarkation on a new path.
• sell whatever you have: Greek panta hosa echeis polēson (πάντα ὅσα ἔχεις πώλησον). This is an absolute and radical command for this specific individual. It refers to total divestment of his earthly possessions, not partial giving, indicating wealth as an obstacle or idol for him.
• and give to the poor: Greek dos tois ptōchois (δὸς τοῖς πτωχοῖς). Ptōchois describes the truly destitute, emphasizing sacrificial giving for those in genuine need. It underscores practical love for neighbor as a consequence of true love for God.
• and you will have treasure in heaven: Greek thēsauron en ouranō (θησαυρὸν ἐν οὐρανῷ). This is the promised eternal reward, contrasting earthly, temporal wealth. It assures spiritual compensation for material sacrifice.
• and come: An invitation to draw near and enter into a new relationship.
• take up the cross: From the Greek aras ton stauron (ἄρας τὸν σταυρὸν). While textual criticism indicates this phrase may not be in all early manuscripts of Mark 10:21 (appearing strongly in the parallels Matt 16:24 and Luke 9:23, and later manuscripts of Mark), its theological meaning is perfectly consistent with Jesus' broader teachings on discipleship. It literally refers to bearing one's own cross beam towards execution, signifying a willingness to endure suffering, humiliation, and even death for Christ’s sake. It represents complete self-denial and identification with Jesus’ path of sacrifice.
• and follow Me: From the Greek akolouthei moi (ἀκολούθει μοι). This is an ongoing, present imperative, signifying continuous, active, and unwavering discipleship. It implies learning from Jesus, imitating His life, obeying His commands, and becoming His faithful apprentice.

Words-group Analysis:

• Jesus, looking at him, loved him: This opening phrase highlights Jesus' divine insight and profound compassion. His command stems from love, not condemnation, inviting the man to freedom rather than imposing a burden. It underscores the gracious and discerning nature of Jesus.
• One thing you lack: This phrase reveals the spiritual heart of the matter. Despite outward adherence to the Law, the man lacked an undivided heart and complete surrender, his possessions being the barrier to true communion with God. It speaks to a single, crucial obstacle preventing full discipleship.
• Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor: This tri-fold imperative directly addresses the man's idol of wealth. It's a command for radical divestment and generous distribution, demonstrating practical love for neighbor and disengagement from worldly security.
• and you will have treasure in heaven: This is the divine promise and motivation. It reorients the man's priorities from earthly accumulation to eternal investment, where true, unfading security and riches reside.
• and come, take up the cross, and follow Me: This concluding imperative defines the core of Christian discipleship: a personal invitation to an intimate relationship, a willingness to suffer for Christ, and an ongoing, committed imitation of Him. It encompasses the entirety of discipleship: a call to surrender, sacrifice, and devoted allegiance.

Mark 10 21 Bonus section

• The profound sadness of the rich young man (Mark 10:22) is critical, showcasing the internal conflict between spiritual aspiration and worldly attachment. It illustrates the painful reality of choosing between God and an idol.
• The subsequent dialogue between Jesus and His disciples (Mark 10:23-27) expands on this theme, explicitly stating the difficulty for the wealthy to enter the Kingdom. This implies that while the command was specific to the man, the underlying principle of prioritizing God over wealth applies universally.
• The concept of "treasure in heaven" contrasts sharply with worldly security, emphasizing that true wealth is spiritual and eternal, accrued through faithfulness, sacrifice, and radical obedience to Christ.
• This passage highlights the deceitfulness of riches (Matt 13:22), showing how even a morally upright individual can be held captive by them, demonstrating that obedience to legalistic commandments is not enough for salvation if the heart remains undivided.
• Jesus’ loving gaze followed by such a radical demand indicates that the purpose of the demand was redemptive and liberating, not punitive. He invited the man to freedom from his ultimate master—his possessions—into the true abundant life offered through devoted discipleship.

Mark 10 21 Commentary

Mark 10:21 presents a poignant and pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry. Jesus’ intense gaze and profound love for the rich young man reveal that His subsequent radical command was not an arbitrary burden, but a specific, surgical strike at the man’s spiritual impediment: his love for riches. This "one thing" he lacked was not another commandment to obey, but an absolute willingness to relinquish what held first place in his heart—his security and identity in wealth—in favor of complete reliance on God and sacrificial love for others.

The command to "sell whatever you have and give to the poor" was a test of supreme obedience and trust. It demonstrated that earthly possessions, for this man, functioned as an idol, preventing him from fully embracing God's reign. This specific instruction is not a universal call to poverty for all believers, but a direct revelation of this individual's unique barrier to discipleship. It exposes how wealth can create a false sense of security and make one dependent on self rather than God.

The promise of "treasure in heaven" provides the divine motivation: a tangible, eternal reward for radical earthly sacrifice. This reorients values from transient accumulation to enduring spiritual riches. Finally, the culminating invitation "come, take up the cross, and follow Me" encapsulates the essence of authentic Christian life. "Taking up the cross" in Jesus' time signified a willingness to embrace suffering, public shame, and death for adherence to Christ. It means crucifying one's own desires, ambitions, and self-will. "Following Me" signifies an active, lifelong commitment to imitating Jesus' character, priorities, and mission. This powerful invitation, rooted in love, offered the man ultimate freedom and abundant life, though tragically, his attachment to wealth proved too strong, leading him away sorrowful (Mark 10:22). This encounter serves as a perpetual challenge: what "one thing" might be holding us back from wholehearted devotion to Christ?