CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 19:20 "All these I have kept," said the young man. "What do I still lack?"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/19-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/40_Mat_19_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 19:20 - The Rich Young Man" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="All these I have kept, said the young man. What do I still lack?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/matthew/19-20.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/matthew/19-20.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/matthew/">Matthew</a> > <a href="/matthew/19.htm">Chapter 19</a> > Verse 20</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad20.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/matthew/19-19.htm" title="Matthew 19:19">◄</a> Matthew 19:20 <a href="/matthew/19-21.htm" title="Matthew 19:21">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/matthew/19.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/matthew/19.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220All these I have kept,&#8221 the young man said. &#8220What do I still lack?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/matthew/19.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“I’ve obeyed all these commandments,” the young man replied. “What else must I do?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/matthew/19.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/matthew/19.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“All these I have kept,” said the young man. “What do I still lack?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/19.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />The young man says to him, "All these things I have kept. What do I still lack?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/19.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/19.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/19.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The young man said to Him, “All these I have kept; what am I still lacking?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/19.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The young man said to Him, &#8220All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/19.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/19.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/19.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The young man said to Him, “I have kept all these things [from my youth]; what do I still lack?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/19.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“I have kept all these,” the young man told him. “What do I still lack? ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/19.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I have kept all these,&#8221 the young man told Him. &#8220What do I still lack?&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/19.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The young man saith unto him, All these things have I observed: what lack I yet?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/19.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The young man said, "I have obeyed all of these. What else must I do?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/19.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The young man saith unto him, All these things have I observed: what lack I yet?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/19.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The young man replied, "I have obeyed all these commandments. What else do I need to do?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/matthew/19.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"I have obeyed all these commandments," the young man replied. "What else do I need to do?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/19.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The young man told him, "I have kept all of these. What do I still lack?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/19.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?All these I have kept from my youth,? said the young man. ?What do I still lack??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/19.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The young man said to him, "I have wholeheartedly obeyed all these laws. What do I still lack?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/matthew/19.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The young man said to him, "All these things I have kept. What do I still lack?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/matthew/19.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The young man saith to him, All these things have I kept from my youth: what lack I yet?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/19.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"All of these," said the young man, "I have carefully kept. What do I still lack?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/19.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The young man said to him, “All these things I have observed from my youth. What do I still lack?” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/matthew/19.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />The young man says to Him, “All these I kept from my youth; what yet do I lack?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/19.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />The young man says to him, "All these things I have kept. What do I still lack?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/19.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> The young man saith to him, 'All these did I keep from my youth; what yet do I lack?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/19.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The young man says to him, All these have I watched from my youth; what yet do I want?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/19.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The young man saith to him: All these I have kept from my youth, what is yet wanting to me? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/19.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The young man said to him: “All these I have kept from my childhood. What is still lacking for me?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/19.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The young man said to him, “All of these I have observed. What do I still lack?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/19.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The young man said to him, “I have kept all these; what do I still lack?”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/matthew/19.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The young man said to him, I have obeyed all these from my boyhood, what do I lack?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/19.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />That young man said to him, “I have kept all these from my childhood; what am I lacking?”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/19.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />The young man said to him: All these have I kept from my youth, what do I lack?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/19.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />The young man says to Him, All these have I kept from my youth: what lack I yet?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/matthew/19.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />The young man saith to him, All these things have I observed from my youth: in what am I still deficient?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/19.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />the young man answer'd, all these things have I practis'd from my youth: what is it that is further required?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/19.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"All of these," said the young man, "I have carefully kept. What do I still lack?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/19.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />The young man says to Him, "I observed all these things; what yet do I lack?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/19.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />The young man saith unto Him, All these have I kept from my youth: wherein am I yet deficient?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/19-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=5531" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/matthew/19.htm">The Rich Young Man</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">19</span>honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: Tauta (DPro-ANP) -- This; he, she, it. ">“</a> <a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: panta (Adj-ANP) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">All these</a> <a href="/greek/5442.htm" title="5442: ephylaxa (V-AIA-1S) -- Probably from phule through the idea of isolation; to watch, i.e. Be on guard; by implication, to preserve, obey, avoid.">I have kept,”</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: Legei (V-PIA-3S) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">said</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/3495.htm" title="3495: neaniskos (N-NMS) -- A young man, youth, an attendant. From the same as neanias; a youth.">young man.</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autō (PPro-DM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: ti (IPro-ANS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">“What</a> <a href="/greek/2089.htm" title="2089: eti (Adv) -- (a) of time: still, yet, even now, (b) of degree: even, further, more, in addition. Perhaps akin to etos; yet, still."></a> <a href="/greek/5302.htm" title="5302: hysterō (V-PIA-1S) -- From husteros; to be later, i.e. to be inferior; generally, to fall short.">do I still lack?”</a> </span> <span class="reftext">21</span>Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/10-20.htm">Mark 10:20</a></span><br />“Teacher,” he replied, “all these I have kept from my youth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/18-21.htm">Luke 18:21</a></span><br />“All these I have kept from my youth,” he said.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-20.htm">Matthew 5:20</a></span><br />For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-20.htm">Romans 3:20</a></span><br />Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/3-6.htm">Philippians 3:6</a></span><br />as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to righteousness in the law, faultless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/2-10.htm">James 2:10</a></span><br />Whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/3-10.htm">Galatians 3:10</a></span><br />All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-9.htm">Romans 7:9-10</a></span><br />Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. / So I discovered that the very commandment that was meant to bring life actually brought death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/10-25.htm">Luke 10:25-28</a></span><br />One day an expert in the law stood up to test Him. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” / “What is written in the Law?” Jesus replied. “How do you read it?” / He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/10-3.htm">Romans 10:3</a></span><br />Because they were ignorant of God’s righteousness and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/22-36.htm">Matthew 22:36-40</a></span><br />“Teacher, which commandment is the greatest in the Law?” / Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ / This is the first and greatest commandment. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/2-17.htm">Romans 2:17-23</a></span><br />Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; / if you know His will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; / if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those in darkness, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-14.htm">Galatians 5:14</a></span><br />The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/6-5.htm">Deuteronomy 6:5</a></span><br />And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/19-18.htm">Leviticus 19:18</a></span><br />Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The young man said to him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?</p><p class="hdg">All.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/10-20.htm">Mark 10:20</a></b></br> And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/15-7.htm">Luke 15:7,29</a></b></br> I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/18-11.htm">Luke 18:11,12,21</a></b></br> The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men <i>are</i>, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican… </p><p class="hdg">what.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/10-21.htm">Mark 10:21</a></b></br> 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/18-22.htm">Luke 18:22</a></b></br> Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/2-8.htm">Carefully</a> <a href="/matthew/14-6.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/matthew/13-58.htm">Lack</a> <a href="/malachi/3-16.htm">Observed</a> <a href="/matthew/19-13.htm">Young</a> <a href="/malachi/2-15.htm">Youth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/mark/4-24.htm">Carefully</a> <a href="/matthew/21-8.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/mark/6-6.htm">Lack</a> <a href="/matthew/23-5.htm">Observed</a> <a href="/matthew/19-22.htm">Young</a> <a href="/mark/9-20.htm">Youth</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 19</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/19-1.htm">Jesus heals the sick;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/19-3.htm">answers the Pharisees concerning divorce;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/19-10.htm">shows when marriage is necessary;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/19-13.htm">receives the little children;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/19-16.htm">instructs the young man how to attain eternal life;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/19-20.htm">and how to be perfect;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/19-23.htm">tells his disciples how hard it is for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/19-27.htm">and promises reward to those who forsake all to follow him.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/19.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/19.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>All these I have kept,</b><br>The young man refers to the commandments Jesus listed in the previous verses, which include prohibitions against murder, adultery, theft, false testimony, and the command to honor one's parents. This claim reflects a common Jewish understanding of righteousness based on adherence to the Law. The young man's assertion suggests a belief in his own moral integrity and adherence to the Mosaic Law, which was central to Jewish life and identity. His confidence may also reflect the Pharisaic emphasis on external observance of the Law, which Jesus often critiqued for neglecting the heart's condition (<a href="/matthew/23-23.htm">Matthew 23:23-28</a>).<p><b>said the young man.</b><br>The term "young man" indicates someone likely in his late teens to early thirties, a period in life associated with vigor and ambition. In the cultural context of first-century Judea, youth was often linked with potential and the pursuit of status and wealth. This young man is also described as wealthy in the broader passage, which would have afforded him a certain level of respect and influence in society. His approach to Jesus shows a desire for spiritual fulfillment beyond his material success.<p><b>What do I still lack?</b><br>This question reveals an awareness of an unfulfilled spiritual need despite his outward compliance with the Law. It suggests a recognition that legalistic righteousness is insufficient for true spiritual satisfaction. The young man's inquiry points to a deeper longing for eternal life, which he senses is not fully addressed by his current religious practices. This moment highlights the limitations of the Law in providing complete spiritual fulfillment, a theme echoed in Paul's writings, such as in <a href="/romans/3-20.htm">Romans 3:20</a>, where he explains that the Law makes us conscious of sin but cannot justify us. The question also sets the stage for Jesus to address the heart of discipleship, which involves total surrender and following Him, as seen in the subsequent verses.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_rich_young_man.htm">The Rich Young Man</a></b><br>A young man who approaches Jesus with a question about eternal life. He is wealthy and has kept the commandments since his youth.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a></b><br>The central figure in the passage, who provides guidance and instruction to the young man.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/d/disciples.htm">Disciples</a></b><br>Although not directly mentioned in this verse, they are present during this interaction and later ask Jesus questions about it.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/c/commandments.htm">Commandments</a></b><br>The laws given by God, which the young man claims to have kept.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_true_righteousness.htm">Understanding True Righteousness</a></b><br>The young man's claim, "All these I have kept," highlights a common misunderstanding of righteousness as mere rule-following. True righteousness involves a heart aligned with God's will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_limitations_of_legalism.htm">The Limitations of Legalism</a></b><br>Adhering to commandments is important, but it is not the sole path to eternal life. Jesus points to a deeper need for transformation and surrender.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_self-examination.htm">The Call to Self-Examination</a></b><br>Like the young man, we must examine our lives to see if we are truly following Christ or merely adhering to rules. Are we willing to give up what holds us back?<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_wealth_in_spiritual_life.htm">The Role of Wealth in Spiritual Life</a></b><br>Wealth can be a barrier to spiritual growth if it becomes an idol. Jesus challenges us to consider what we value most.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_following_jesus.htm">The Importance of Following Jesus</a></b><br>Beyond keeping commandments, Jesus invites us to follow Him, which requires a personal relationship and commitment.<a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/19.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20) <span class= "bld">All these things have I kept.</span>--There is obviously a tone of impatient surprise in the questioner's reply. He had come seeking some great thing to satisfy his lofty aspirations after eternal life. He finds himself re-taught the lessons of childhood, sent back, as it were, to a lower form in the school of holiness. He had not learnt that to keep any one of those commandments in its completeness is the task of a life, that to keep one perfectly implies keeping all. In marked contrast with this half-contemptuous treatment of the simpler elements of religion we may recall our Lord's use, in the Temptation, of the three passages connected, directly or indirectly, with those which were written on the phylacteries that men wore, and which would naturally be taught to children as their first lesson in the Law. (See Notes on <a href="/context/matthew/4-1.htm" title="Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.">Matthew 4:1-11</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">What lack I yet?</span>--Ignorant as the young ruler was of his own spiritual state, his condition was not that of the self-satisfied Pharisee. The question implied a dissatisfaction with himself, a sense of incompleteness, as hungering and thirsting after a higher righteousness. And this accounts for the way in which our Lord dealt with him.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/19.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">All these things have I kept</span> [<span class="cmt_word">from</span> <span class="cmt_word">my youth</span> <span class="cmt_word">up</span>]. The bracketed words are omitted in some good manuscripts, and by most modern editors; but they have high authority, and are found in most versions, and in the parallel passages of Mark and Luke. They accurately express the ruler's view of his conduct. He could say without hesitation or mental reservation that he had scrupulously observed the duties of the Decalogue from the time that he knew right from wrong. Of course, we accuse one who could make such a statement of self-righteousness, of ignorance of the spirit of the Law which he claimed to have obeyed; and if one of us spoke thus presumptuously, we should rightly condemn him; we should say that outward service and legal notions of duty were of little worth, and could not secure eternal life. But our Lord treated the young man differently. He did not blame him as boastful and self-deceiving; he had no reproof for his seemingly presumptuous assertion; he recognized his simplicity, honesty, and sincerity, and St. Mark tells us that "Jesus beholding [looking upon, or into] him, loved him." He read the youth's heart, saw how pure and guileless it was, recognized in him the possibility of great things, and that he was worthy of the saintly life. The ruler felt that there was more to come; hence he asks, <span class="cmt_word">What lack I yet?</span> <span class="greek">Τί ἔτι ὑστερῶ</span>; In what respect am I still deficient? How do I come short of eternal life? He had still a sense of want. All that he had done had not given him peace of mind. Hence his inquiry. From a Christian the question would savour of ignorance and unspirituality; but this man asked it in all sincerity, desiring earnestly to know what more was required of him, and being ready, as he thought, to undergo any pain, make any, even the most painful effort, if by so doing he might win the prize on which his soul was set. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/19-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">“All these</span><br /><span class="grk">πάντα</span> <span class="translit">(panta)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> </span><span class="str2">All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I have kept,”</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐφύλαξα</span> <span class="translit">(ephylaxa)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5442.htm">Strong's 5442: </a> </span><span class="str2">Probably from phule through the idea of isolation; to watch, i.e. Be on guard; by implication, to preserve, obey, avoid.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">said</span><br /><span class="grk">Λέγει</span> <span class="translit">(Legei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">ὁ</span> <span class="translit">(ho)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">young man.</span><br /><span class="grk">νεανίσκος</span> <span class="translit">(neaniskos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3495.htm">Strong's 3495: </a> </span><span class="str2">A young man, youth, an attendant. From the same as neanias; a youth.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“What</span><br /><span class="grk">τί</span> <span class="translit">(ti)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">do I still lack?”</span><br /><span class="grk">ὑστερῶ</span> <span class="translit">(hysterō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5302.htm">Strong's 5302: </a> </span><span class="str2">From husteros; to be later, i.e. to be inferior; generally, to fall short.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/19-20.htm">Matthew 19:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/19-20.htm">Matthew 19:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/19-20.htm">Matthew 19:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/19-20.htm">Matthew 19:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/19-20.htm">Matthew 19:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/19-20.htm">Matthew 19:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/19-20.htm">Matthew 19:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/19-20.htm">Matthew 19:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/19-20.htm">Matthew 19:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/19-20.htm">Matthew 19:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/19-20.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 19:20 The young man said to him All (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/19-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 19:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 19:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/19-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 19:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 19:21" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>