Matthew 19:16–30

Jesus and the Rich Young Man

16A man came up to Jesus. He asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to receive eternal life?”

17“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter the kingdom, obey the commandments.”

18“Which ones?” the man asked.

Jesus said, “ ‘Do not commit murder. Do not commit adultery. Do not steal. Do not give false witness. 19Honor your father and mother.’ (Exodus 20:12–16; Deuteronomy 5:16–20) And ‘love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ ” (Leviticus 19:18)

20“I have obeyed all those commandments,” the young man said. “What else do I need to do?”

21Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell everything you have. Give the money to those who are poor. You will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me.”

22When the young man heard this, he went away sad. He was very rich.

23Then Jesus said to his disciples, “What I’m about to tell you is true. It is hard for rich people to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24Again I tell you, it is hard for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. But it is even harder for the rich to enter God’s kingdom.”

25When the disciples heard this, they were really amazed. They asked, “Then who can be saved?”

26Jesus looked at them and said, “With man, that is impossible. But with God, all things are possible.”

27Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What reward will be given to us?”

28“What I’m about to tell you is true,” Jesus said to them. “When all things are made new, the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne. Then you who have followed me will also sit on 12 thrones. You will judge the 12 tribes of Israel. 29Everyone who has left houses or families or fields because of me will receive 100 times as much. They will also receive eternal life. 30But many who are first will be last. And many who are last will be first.