3 Many possessions.

19:16-30

.. One approaching

19:16-30 And behold a person approached him and said “Teacher what good thing may I do so I may have eternal life?” And he said to him “Why do you question me concerning the good? There is one that is the good. But if you want to enter into eternal life, keep the commandments.” He says to him “Which one?” And Jesus said “You shall not kill. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness. Honour your father and your mother. You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” The young man says to him “All things I have kept. What do I still lack? Jesus said to him “If you want to be perfect, go sell your belongings and give them to the poor and you will have treasure in heavens. And come follow me.” But on hearing this the young man went away grieving for he had many possessions. So Jesus said to his disciples. “Truly I tell you that a rich man will find it difficult to enter into the kingdom of the heavens. But again I tell you it is easier for a

camel to enter through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” And hearing this the disciples were astounded saying “Who then can be saved?” And looking upon them Jesus said “With men this is impossible. But with God all things are possible.” Then answering Peter said to him. “Behold we left everything and followed you. What then shall be our reward?” And Jesus said to them. “Truly I tell you that the ones who have followed me into the regeneration, - when the Son of man is sitting on the throne of his glory, you will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And whoever has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for the sake of my name, will receive manifold (gifts) and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last and the last will be first.” Note: This paragraph parallels Marks "child" section which may explain the repetition of "Jesus said" and a deliberate break with the paragraph pattern

In Mark’s gospel the story of the man approaching Jesus as above is in a "child" Section which does not follow the patterns as used elsewhere in the gospels. This may account for multiple uses of the paragraph 'hook' "Jesus said" in the above passage.

Note that in Mark this person approaching Jesus is described as ‘somebody’, but is not described as being a young man as here in Matthew. Obviously the use of the phrase “young man” here in Matthew would be the basis for the story being described traditionally as “the story of the rich young man”. Scholars generally agree that both Matthew and Luke base much of their gospels on the text of Mark. But there are many subtle changes within the text in order to suit the theological interests of both later writers. Matthew is probably aware that a decision for discipleship (and the adult child?) is made between the times of one moving out of childhood and before one’s establishment in a

marriage. Note when Matthew gives a list of what one can leave in order to follow Jesus there is no mention of one leaving one’s husband or wife. This is because according to a position already taken by Jesus within this text, one’s husband or wife is part of one’s own body and one cannot be separated from them.