The Rich Young Ruler (Pt.2)

INTRODUCTION

Please take your copy of God’s Word and turn to chapter 10 of the Gospel of Mark.

In our last time together, we looked at verses 17-18 where we considered the rich man’s approach (v.17a), the rich man’s question about eternal life (v.17b) and Jesus’ challenge to his view of goodness (v.18).

Jesus didn’t answer his question until verse 19, so that is where we will begin today.

Our text is found in three of the four gospels.

We find it in Matthew 19:16-22; Mark 10:17-22; Luke 18:18-23.

I would like to read all three of those passages as one from John MacArthur’s book, “One Perfect Life.”

Read Matthew 19:16-22; Mark 10:17-22; Luke 18:18-23 (slides).

If Jesus were here today, He would have flunked an evangelism course in most seminaries.

Telling someone to keep the commandments is not modern evangelism.

But it is if you’re Jesus.

Jesus evangelized by confronting, not accommodating.

He exposed sin and demanded a wholehearted, submissive faith rather than offering an easy or incomplete kind of “decision” for Christ.

In this passage, this style of evangelism measures the sinner against God’s law.

It unmasks idols, and calls for a total surrender to Christ’s Lordship, even if that means the sinner walks away.

Jesus doesn’t start His conversation with the rich man by comforting or affirming him.

He uses God’s Law to expose the man’s true spiritual condition.

John MacArthur says, “Evangelism must take the sinner and measure him against the perfect law of God so he can see his deficiency,” and any message that omits this cannot claim to be “the gospel according to Jesus.”

Jesus responds in verse 19 to the rich man’s question…

Listen to…

I. Jesus’ Use of the Law to Expose Sin (v.19)

First let’s notice…

What the Man Knew (v.19a)

Jesus begins by telling the man, “You know the commandments” (v.19a)

Why would he “know the commandments?”

Every Jewish boy knew the commandments.

This is why the young man later claimed that he “kept all these things from my youth up” (v.21)

As soon as this young man could speak, his father began teaching him short Torah verses and the Shema, which is the core confession of Israel’s faith.

The Shema emphasized loving God, teaching faith to future generations, and living a life that reflects God’s will.

It also served as a unifying statement for the Jewish people, affirming their unique covenant with God and their role in upholding His laws.

It’s taken from three Old Testament passages: Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 11:13-21; Numbers 15:37-41.

Formal education began at 5 years old where boys would spend 5 years studying the Pentateuch (first five books of Moses) before advancing to the Mishnah (compilation of Jewish oral law) and selected Talmudic passages (commentary and discussion on the Mishnah) at 10 years old.

The pivotal moment came when they became thirteen.

At this point, the boy transitioned from being a “son of the law” to a “son of the precept,” marking when he could answer for his own violations of divine commandments rather than his father bearing responsibility for his misdeeds.

So when Jesus said, “You know the commandments,” this is what he was referring to.

This young man had been raised up in the Law.

And since the young man asked what he must “do” to inherit eternal law, his “doing” was a reference to keeping the Law.

So Jesus begins right there in mentioning the commandments.

Notice…

What Jesus Said (v.19)

Jesus said, “You know the Commandments, Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.”

This is the second part of the 10 Commandments found in Exodus 20:12-16.

Then all three gospel accounts list Jesus giving him the sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and fifth commandment.

Mark is the only one that says, “Do not defraud" but is not part of the 10 Commandments, but many scholars believe it's an application of the Tenth Commandment, "You shall not covet."

Matthew ends with “and you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Mat.19:19).

These commandments govern how we relate to one another.

The first five address how we relate to God.

And by beginning on the level of human relationships, Jesus was seeking to get him to recognize his own inadequacy, his inability to treat one another in the way that God commanded.

He may not have murdered anyone but Jesus said if you hate someone that is murder in your heart.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:21–22 “21 “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not murder’ and ‘Whoever murders shall be guilty before the court.’ 22 “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ shall be guilty before the Sanhedrin; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.”

He may not have committed physical adultery, but Jesus taught that lusting after someone in your heart is still a serious sin.

However, it is not the same as the physical act of adultery.

Jesus was addressing the condition of the heart, not giving grounds for divorce.

Matthew 5:27–28 “27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’; 28 but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

Did he steal, lie or dishonor his parents?

Most likely at some point in his life.

Martin Luther said, “The Law is for the proud and the Gospel for the brokenhearted.”

What was his response?

Look at verse 20…

II. The Rich Man’s Self-Righteous Claim (v.20)

And he said to him, "Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up."

He Still Only Saw Jesus as a Teacher (v.20a)

And He was a Teacher but He was also Lord.

Jesus said to His disciples in John 13:13 “13 “You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am.”

Nicodemus recognized Him too as a Teacher but saw Him as more than a Teacher.

He said in John 3:2 “…“Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.””

He saw Him as a rabbi and teacher but also more than that.

“God is with him.”

Teaching and preaching definitely was His priority.

Matthew 4:23 “23 And Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people.”

Mark 6:34 “34 And when Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things.”

But He was more than just a Teacher but the rich young ruler never saw it.

His eyes were closed.

The Pharisees Were Also Self-Righteous - Luke 18:9-14

So was…

The Prodigal Son’s Brother in Luke 15:29

Even…

King Saul saw himself as self-Righteous - 1 Samuel 15

“That man possesses the ability to fulfill the commandments of God perfectly was so firmly believed by the rabbis that they spoke in all seriousness of people who had kept the whole Law from A to Z” (SBK 1:814; quoted in Lane, p. 366).

Bishop Hilary of Poitiers, which was a town in Roman Gaul (modern-day France): said, “The young man became arrogant through the observance of the law. He did not recognize that the consummation of the law is Christ. He assumed he could be justified by works. He was not aware that Jesus had come for the lost sheep of the house of Israel, and that the law could not save except through justifying faith. He questioned the Lord of the law and the only begotten God as if he were an ordinary teacher of precepts that were written down in the law. Hence, the Lord rejected this declaration of a spurious faith, because the question was put to him as if he were merely a teacher of the law.”

But he said in verse 20, “I have kept all these things from my youth up.”

in spite of the rich man’s self-righteousness, Jesus loved him…

Look at verse 21…

We see…

III. Jesus’ Loving But Costly Call (v.21)

Mark says, “And looking at him, Jesus loved him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.””

Jesus Looked At Him (v.21a)

The Greek word emblepsas suggests that Jesus looked intently or deeply at the young man.

It wasn’t a casual glance; it was a gaze filled with meaning and purpose.

Jesus gave the man a searching, penetrating look.

Jesus’ look reflects His ability to see beyond outward appearances and into the heart of man

Peter experienced this look in Luke 22:61, so did the scribes in Matthew 9:1-4.

Jesus Loved Him (v.21b)

This emphasizes that Jesus’ gaze was not one of judgment or condemnation but of genuine compassion and affection.

This indicates a strong emotional bond that can be both felt and expressed.

Mark uses the Greek verb egapesen which is an aorist active indicative.

The use of the aorist indicates a completed action, suggesting a definitive moment of love.

Jesus’ love was immediate and unconditional.

That is seen in the root word agape.

This is a deep, selfless, unconditional love.

This is the kind of love often associated with God’s nature and actions toward humanity.

This is divine or sacrificial love—a love that seeks the good of the other, even at great cost (e.g. John 3:16; Eph.5:25).

Some have translated egapesen as “had compassion for” because this is more than just affection; it reflects the deep compassion that Jesus had for the young man.

Though it wasn’t hard for Jesus, but sometimes it’s hard for us to tell someone the truth knowing it will hurt them.

But…

It’s Loving to Tell Someone the Truth

John Calvin said, “The most loving thing you can do for another is to share the truth, even when it is difficult to hear.”

Jonathan Edwards adds “To love and not tell the truth is to deny the very essence of love itself.”

We are told to “speak the truth in love” (Eph.4:15)

So when we see someone doing wrong, it is more loving to rebuke them than remain silent out of fear.

Proverbs 27:5–6 “5 Better is reproof that is revealed than love that is hidden. 6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.”

True friends tell the truth, even if it may hurt temporarily, because they care for the person’s long-term good.

Galatians 6:1 “1 Brothers, even if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, each of you looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.”

Proverbs 28:23 “23 He who reproves a man will afterward find more favor Than he who flatters with the tongue.”

Luke 17:3 “3 “Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.”

Psalm 141:5 “5 Let the righteous smite me in lovingkindness and reprove me; It is oil upon the head; Let not my head refuse it, For still my prayer is against their evil deeds.”

1 Corinthians 13:6 tells us that love “does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;”

The Lord does that to us - Proverbs 3:11–12 “11 My son, do not reject the discipline of Yahweh Or loathe His reproof, 12 For whom Yahweh loves He reproves, Even as a father reproves the son in whom he delights.”

Well in spite of Jesus’ love and confrontation of the young man, what Jesus says next is both loving and confrontational and truthful…

Jesus says…

Sell All You Possess and Give to the Poor (v.21b)

Jesus said, “One thing you lack: Go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Come, follow me.

Riches is what the man loved not Jesus

Luke says the young man was “extremely rich” in Luke 18:23.

Paul warned about loving money in 1 Timothy 6:9–10 “9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evils, and some by aspiring to it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

Jesus also warned in Matthew 6:19–21 “19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Because this young man was already rich and coming to Jesus for some kind of secret to eternal life shows where his heart really was…

Solomon, who was the riches man on earth during his time (1 Kings 10:23-25), said in Ecclesiastes 5:10 (NIV), “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.

We would be best to give heed to the warning of Scripture concerning riches…

Hebrews 13:5 (NIV), “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”

Sadly the young man loved and trusted his wealth more and in the words of Proverbs 11:28 (NIV), “Those who trust in their riches will fall.”

And that’s exactly what happened next…

Listen to…

IV. The Rich Man’s Tragic Sorrow (v.22)

After hearing Jesus tell him to “go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

“But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property.”

Saddened and Deeply Disheartened

The Greek word translated as "deeply disheartened" or "saddened" is στυγνάσας (stygnasas). It conveys:

A sense of shock, gloom, or sorrow.

It implies an emotional reaction that is visible or felt strongly.

The word can also describe a darkened countenance, as if his face fell due to the weight of Jesus’ words.

Essentially, the man was deeply struck by Jesus’ demand, as it challenged his attachment to his wealth.

So “he went away…”

Grieving

The Greek word for "grieving" is λυπούμενος (lypoumenos), which means:

To feel deep sorrow or distress.

It reflects mental anguish or emotional pain.

In this verse, the grieving stems from his inner conflict: he desires eternal life and to follow Jesus, but his attachment to his wealth causes significant sorrow because he is unwilling to part with it.

The rich young man walks away "saddened" (visibly disheartened) and "grieving" (internally sorrowful and distressed) because he realizes the cost of following Jesus—giving up his material wealth—is too great for him.

This highlights his struggle between his love for possessions and his desire for eternal life, ultimately revealing where his heart truly lies.

R.C. Sproul said, “So, this one who ran to Jesus walked away from Him in sorrow. Yes, he walked away from Jesus. The pearl of great price was standing in front of him, but he turned his back on Him. He was like a man who would not trade a wooden nickel for a billion dollars, and even that is a poor analogy. He thought his own possessions were worth more than Jesus. He preferred his own bank account to the riches of the kingdom of God.

D. Edmond Hiebert adds, “He wanted God, but not at the cost of his gold; he wanted life, but not at the expense of luxury; he was willing to serve, but not to sacrifice.”

Zacchaeus had the opposite response in Luke 19:1-10.

The eagerness of Zacchaeus and the reluctance of the rich young ruler stand in sharpest contrast.

Rather than resistance, Zacchaeus demonstrated cheerful eagerness to part with money for God’s glory and others’ good.

CONCLUSION

As we come to the end of this passage and reflect on the rich young ruler’s encounter with Jesus, we are faced with a sobering reality:

It is possible to want eternal life for the wrong reasons.

Remember, this was another thing he wanted to “do” to have another possession in his list of riches.

Even though the young man came with enthusiasm, confidence, and perhaps even reverence, but he left in sorrow because he loved his possessions more than he loved God.

He was unwilling to surrender everything to follow Jesus.

This story is not just about the rich young ruler; it’s about all of us.

Jesus’ call to him is the same call He makes to each of us: to put aside anything that keeps us from following Him wholeheartedly.

For the young man, it was his wealth.

For you, it could be pride, ambition, relationships, or even a false sense of self-righteousness.

Whatever it is, Jesus calls us to lay it down, take up our cross, and follow Him.

Jesus’ words in this passage are not a call to poverty; they are a call to repentance, faith, and surrender.

He exposed the rich man’s idolatry, not to condemn him, but to save him.

Jesus loved him, just as He loves you.

That’s why He tells us the truth about our sin and our need for a Savior.

Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart.

If you have never trusted in Jesus as your Lord and Savior, now is the time to respond.

Believe that Jesus is the Son of God who came to rescue sinners.

Repent of your sin—turn away from whatever is keeping you from Christ—and surrender your life to Him.

Jesus calls you to follow Him, not just as a Teacher, but as Savior and Lord.

Remember, the rich young ruler was looking for eternal life, but his motive was not genuine and he wasn’t willing to pay the price.

The cost of following Jesus is everything, but the reward is far greater—eternal life, forgiveness of sins, and a relationship with the living God.

Don’t walk away in sorrow like the young man.

Instead, come to Jesus in faith, lay down your burdens, and receive the treasure that can never be taken away.

The call is clear: Believe in Jesus, repent of your sins, and follow Him.

Will you do that today?

Will you trust Him with your life?

Don’t wait. Come, follow Him.

Let’s pray.