“Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”
The full verse · Mark 10:17 · KJV
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Asked by
Rich Young Ruler: a man who came running and kneeled to Jesus, and who "had great possessions" (Mark 10:17, 22); Matthew calls him a young man and Luke a ruler (Matthew 19:20; Luke 18:18)
Asked to
Jesus: the Son of God and promised Messiah, setting out on His way after blessing the children (Mark 10:16-17)
The Scene
Just after Jesus blesses the little children, as He sets out on the road, a man runs up, kneels before Him, and asks this question (Mark 10:16-17).
Why It Was Asked
The purpose behind the questionThis man truly wanted to know how to have eternal life. Barnes says his running showed "the intensity with which he desired to know the way of life," and that his kneeling was "the customary respectful salutation" to an honored teacher. Matthew Henry writes, "This young ruler showed great earnestness." Yet his question is about what he must do. Barnes (on Matthew 19:16) says he had been taught that people were saved by doing something, and that though he "had lived externally a blameless life," he "was not at peace." Gill says he believed in eternal life but had wrong ideas about the way to obtain it.
The Response
What Scripture recordsJesus first asked, "Why callest thou me good?" (Mark 10:18). Then He named commandments from the Law (Mark 10:19). The man said, "Master, all these have I observed from my youth" (Mark 10:20). "Then Jesus beholding him loved him," and said, "One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor... and come, take up the cross, and follow me" (Mark 10:21). "He was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions" (Mark 10:22).
Historical Context
The world behind the words"Master" here means teacher (Greek didaskalos), and Barnes says "good" was probably a title the Jews were used to giving their religious teachers. The word "inherit" is kleronomeo, which Thayer defines as "to receive a lot, receive by lot; especially to receive a part of an inheritance."
Mark alone says the man came "running" and "kneeled." Matthew tells us he was young (Matthew 19:20), and Luke calls him "a certain ruler" (Luke 18:18). Barnes suggests he was probably a ruler of a synagogue or of the great council.
The Bigger Picture
Where this fits in God's storyMark places this question right after Jesus said, "Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein" (Mark 10:15). The children received; this man wanted to do. Jesus did not brush off his question. Mark says Jesus "beholding him loved him" (Mark 10:21), and then put His finger on the one thing that held the man's heart.
The story ends with the disciples asking, "Who then can be saved?" and Jesus answering, "With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible" (Mark 10:26-27). Eternal life is not something we earn by doing enough. Jesus points away from what people can do to what God can do.
Look Closer
What had Jesus said just before this man ran up to Him?
Carry the question into prayer and conversation.
Lord, You looked at this man and loved him; what do You see in my life that keeps me from following You with my whole heart?
A prayer to carry into the day.
- The man asked what he could do, while the children simply received. What makes it hard for you to receive from God instead of trying to earn?
- Tell about a time you came to Jesus with real eagerness. What happened when His answer was not what you expected?
For you, a small group, a friend, or the dinner table.
This man's eagerness is worth copying. He ran, he knelt, and he asked the biggest question there is. You can bring your deepest questions to Jesus with that same urgency.
But notice what Jesus does with the question. He looks at the man with love and names what was really in the way. When you ask Jesus about life with God, be ready for Him to answer not only your question but your heart.
Jesus' command to sell everything was spoken to this man and what held him. Jesus then named the danger as "them that trust in riches" (Mark 10:24). The question for you is not only what you own, but what you trust.
Built from the biblical text and checked against trusted commentaries and lexicons. References & Sources
Keep questioning
“Why callest thou me good?”
“Who then can be saved?”
“Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?”
“Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”