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But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sad, for he was one who had great possessions.
Verse Takeaways
1
A Test for a Hidden Idol
Commentators agree that Jesus' command to sell everything was not a universal rule, but a specific test for this man. Scholars like John Calvin and Matthew Henry explain it was designed to expose his "hidden vice"—covetousness. His great possessions had become an idol, and the test revealed that he loved his wealth more than God, preventing him from fully surrendering to Christ.
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Matthew
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10
18th Century
Presbyterian
He had great possessions. He was very rich. He made an idol of them. He loved them more than God. He had NOT kept the
Went away sorrowful (απηλθεν λυπουμενος). "Went away grieved." He felt that Jesus had asked too much of him. He worshipped money m…
19th Century
Anglican
He went away sorrowful. Mark adds the word “sad,” meaning frowning or having a gloomy expression. This is the same word u…
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Baptist
He could not go the whole length of his own plan. He wanted to be saved by works, yet he would not carry out his works to the full extent of the la…
Jesus answers the question in v.21. His basic thrust is not “Sell your possessions and give to the poor,” but “Come, follow me.” What Jesus suggest…
16th Century
Protestant
He went away sorrowful. The result eventually showed how far the young man was from the perfection to which Christ had called him…
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17th Century
Reformed Baptist
But when the young man heard that saying . &c.] That he must sell his estates, and all his worldly substance, and th…
Christ knew that covetousness was the sin which most easily beset this young man. Although he had obtained honestly what he possessed, he still cou…
13th Century
Catholic
In this passage, it was shown how one comes to eternal life by the common way. Here, He teaches how one comes by the way of perfection. This way of…
