Matthew 19 20

Matthew 19:20 kjv

The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

Matthew 19:20 nkjv

The young man said to Him, "All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?"

Matthew 19:20 niv

"All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?"

Matthew 19:20 esv

The young man said to him, "All these I have kept. What do I still lack?"

Matthew 19:20 nlt

"I've obeyed all these commandments," the young man replied. "What else must I do?"

Matthew 19 verses

Matthew 19 20 Meaning

This verse captures the confident assertion of the young man to Jesus, proclaiming his lifelong obedience to the Mosaic commandments that Jesus had just enumerated. His statement, "All these I have kept from my youth," reflects a deep conviction in his own righteousness based on external legal observance. However, his subsequent question, "what more do I still lack?" reveals an underlying spiritual void, a subtle unease, or a sense that something crucial remains unfulfilled despite his meticulous adherence to the Law. It signals a recognition, conscious or subconscious, that eternal life may require more than mere outward performance.

Matthew 19 20 Context

This verse is embedded within a pivotal conversation between Jesus and a rich young man who seeks to inherit eternal life, recorded in Matthew 19:16-22 (and also in Mark 10 and Luke 18). Immediately preceding this verse, Jesus has listed several commandments from the second tablet of the Decalogue (Exod 20:12-16) and summarized the law by adding "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Lev 19:18). This conversation follows Jesus' teaching on divorce and His blessing of children, signifying the importance of childlike humility for entering the Kingdom of Heaven. The young man's declaration in verse 20 serves as his self-assessment against the standards Jesus has set, unknowingly leading to the revelation of his true spiritual obstacle. Historically and culturally, First-Century Judaism placed great emphasis on obedience to the Law as the path to righteousness and life, reflecting the prevailing belief that meticulous observance was sufficient for pleasing God. This young man's claim is indicative of someone deeply embedded in this system, striving for perfection within its bounds.

Matthew 19 20 Word analysis

• The young man (ὁ νεανίσκος - ho neaniskos): Specifically "young man," suggesting vitality, strength, and perhaps a perceived moral freshness untainted by age. His youth might imply that he has a longer life of faithful obedience behind him, bolstering his conviction.
• said to Him (εἶπεν αὐτῷ - eipen autō): A direct, earnest address to Jesus, indicating his sincerity in seeking an answer or perhaps confidently presenting his credentials.
• All these (Πάντα ταῦτα - Panta tauta): Refers to the commandments Jesus had just listed (Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, Love your neighbor as yourself). "All" emphasizes his comprehensive claim of obedience to these specific moral directives.
• I have kept (ἐφύλαξα - ephylaxa): A form of φυλάσσω (phylassō), meaning "to guard," "to observe," "to obey." The aorist tense implies a continuous, sustained action completed to that point, a lifelong commitment. He sees himself as having scrupulously observed these laws.
• from my youth (ἐκ νεότητός μου - ek neotētos mou): Signifies a lifelong, deeply ingrained practice of obedience since a very early age. This statement highlights his exceptional devotion and moral uprightness from his own perspective. It reinforces his perceived blamelessness and demonstrates genuine effort.
• what more (τί ἔτι - ti eti): Literally "what yet?" or "what still?" The word ἔτι (eti, "still," "yet") is crucial, conveying a sense of remaining deficiency. This is either an inquiry about some higher tier of commandments he might have missed, or more profoundly, a reflection of an inner disquiet despite his external conformity.
• do I still lack? (ὑστερῶ - hysterō): Present active indicative of ὑστερέω (hysteréō), meaning "to fall short," "to be behind," "to be deficient," or "to be in need." This is the pivotal question. Despite his lifelong dedication and perceived blamelessness, he himself senses a deficiency or an incompleteness. It reveals that he had not found the complete peace or assurance of eternal life through his Law-keeping. This inner "lack" sets the stage for Jesus to address the true obstacle – his attachment to his possessions and, ultimately, his self-sufficiency.

• "All these I have kept from my youth": This phrase embodies the zenith of human self-righteousness under the Law. It's a statement of moral excellence and lifelong diligence, indicative of a sincere but misguided belief that salvation could be earned through human effort and adherence to outward rules. It shows he took the Law seriously and perhaps had even exceeded societal expectations.
• "what more do I still lack?": This question, following his impressive claim of obedience, is deeply ironic and telling. It reveals that despite all his efforts, there was no inner satisfaction or conviction of complete spiritual assurance. This question suggests an inherent recognition that the Law, by itself, does not bestow inner peace or complete eternal life. It lays bare the limits of human accomplishment in achieving divine standards and prepares for Jesus to expose the idol of his heart beyond mere moral codes.

Matthew 19 20 Bonus section

This encounter highlights the difference between human assessment of righteousness and God's absolute standard. While the young man meticulously observed external commandments, he was unaware of the "weightier matters" of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness, as well as the greatest commandment to love God completely (Matt 23:23). His perceived "lack" was, in fact, an inability to perfectly fulfill the comprehensive demands of God's holy Law, particularly the spirit of the Law concerning absolute devotion and love. His question prepares the listener to understand that salvation is not attained through works of righteousness but requires a radical trust in and complete surrender to Christ. His wealth was not the primary problem itself, but the idol it represented, preventing his total devotion to God and the relinquishment of his self-reliance.

Matthew 19 20 Commentary

Matthew 19:20 showcases the rich young man's confident but ultimately flawed understanding of righteousness and eternal life. His declaration of lifelong, meticulous obedience to the commandments underscores a common human tendency to seek spiritual merit through external performance and self-effort. While his earnestness and moral discipline are commendable by human standards, his question, "what more do I still lack?" reveals the inadequacy of legalism for true spiritual fulfillment. Despite his blameless outward conduct, he sensed an unfulfilled yearning, a missing component essential for genuine peace and eternal life. This poignant query invited Jesus to unveil the deeper heart issue: the love of possessions that superseded his willingness to completely surrender to God and truly love his neighbor as himself. It profoundly illustrates that righteousness for God's Kingdom is not merely an absence of wrong actions but a presence of Christ-like perfection rooted in unreserved devotion, where nothing, not even self-accomplishment or earthly riches, holds a higher claim than God.