Mark 10:21Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

I find it astonishing that this young man, while others sought Christ for physical healing, instead asked how he might obtain eternal life, perhaps hindered by his overwhelming desire for wealth. This greed became evident when, upon hearing the Lord's directive, ‘Go, sell, and give to the poor,’ he left filled with sorrow. It is important to note that the Lord did not counsel him to sell his possessions gradually, but rather to sell everything immediately and give the proceeds to the poor, steering clear of those who indulge in vice. Following this command, He instructed him to ‘Follow me,’ which implies a call to embrace all virtues.

I, the author of these words, possess a deep affection for the instruction given by the Lord to the wealthy young man: "Go, sell all that you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me" (cf. Matt. 19:21; Luke 18:22). It is not through my own abilities, but by the grace of God that I have undertaken this challenge. My commitment is not merely a reflection of my own wealth (although some may perceive it as such), for even the apostles, who once embraced this path, were not affluent either (cf. Matt. 4:18-22; Mark 2:14). Truly, one who relinquishes both his possessions and his desires for what he could attain has abandoned the entirety of the world.

The Lord gazed at him with affection, aiming to demonstrate how pleasing to Him are those who seek to attain perfection, as mentioned in Matthew 19:17,21. For the one who loves serves those beneath him, while the one in a higher position adheres to him. He cherished him to illustrate the value placed on those who strive for the utmost level of virtue. His loving glance was intended to draw him closer, elevating him toward the perfection that the Lord had established and was being offered to him in that moment. Thus, with love, He regarded him, making it clear that this wealthy individual was not exalting himself.

It is for this reason that those who are wealthy find it challenging to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, as it seeks occupants who are resolute and light of spirit. The Lord instructs, "Go, sell all that you possess, and give it away—not to your friends, family, or loved ones, nor to your spouse or children." I encourage you to aspire towards perfection, to gain apostolic courage, so that as you bear your cross, you may follow Christ, and when you take up the plow, you will not look back. When you are lifted up, let the former ways be scorned, and abandon the attire of this age, fleeing from the mistress of Egypt. Likewise, Elijah, eager for the heavenly kingdom, cannot ascend while still clothed in worldly garments; he leaves behind the attire of this world to remain with it.

To reveal Himself, both as God and as the embodiment of goodness, He performs acts of kindness, disclosing the riches of the kingdom of heaven and serving as a beacon for those who seek Him. In this way, He counters the perception that people regard Him merely as a human being, while also demonstrating that the divine attributes are not foreign to Him. Acknowledging that only God is truly good, He engages in speech and actions that reflect the divine power, goodness, and essence that belong solely to God.

Embrace your cross and follow Me, declares the Lord. The cross symbolizes the perseverance through trials. The commandments, while broader, encompass numerous personal directives and address various vices simultaneously. For instance, Scripture instructs: 'Give to everyone who asks from you and do not demand it back from those who take from you' (Lk. 6:30) and 'Do not refuse anyone who wishes to borrow from you' (Mt. 5:42) - these are individual commands. However, the overarching command that encompasses these is: 'Sell your possessions and give to the needy' (Mt. 19:21) and 'Take up your cross and follow in My footsteps' (Mk. 10:21). Here, the cross refers to the endurance of the hardships that we encounter. Therefore, one who generously gives to the needy and takes up his cross fulfills all the aforementioned commandments in unison.

What this individual has received, dear friends, we have also received: the message of Christ reigns in heaven, yet it continually resonates on earth. When He summons us with a mighty shout, we will not be lifeless, nor will we be unable to hear His call. If you can’t accomplish the greater task, then strive for the lesser. The greater task - Renounce all your possessions and distribute to the needy; then come and follow me. The lesser task - ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not bear false witness, you shall not steal, you shall honor your father and mother, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.'

Christ responded, "If you keep all these commands, you will enter the kingdom of heaven. However, if you desire to be complete, there is one thing you still lack: go and sell your possessions, give to the poor, and you will have treasures in heaven. Then come and follow me." It remains unclear how the wealthy young man observed the commandments of the Old Testament; nonetheless, it can be assumed that he interpreted them through the lens of the scribes and Pharisees of his time. He was deeply troubled when Christ urged him to abandon his greed, for his riches had become an idol to him. Unable to release his hold on wealth, he chose to depart from Christ rather than follow Him.

The Savior admired the young man's zeal for adventure, yet He also recognized his overwhelming pride. To reveal this to the young man, He presented him with a lofty challenge. “If you wish to be perfect,” He instructed, “go, sell your belongings, and give to the poor; and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

When He gazed upon him, He cherished him: a sentiment noted solely by the Gospel of Mark. The ensuing events reveal that the young man valued his riches more than the Savior and chose not to follow Him due to his attachment to material wealth. Nonetheless, the Savior held affection for him; it was the young man's sincere desire and eagerness to discover the path to the Kingdom of God that spoke to the commendable aspects of his character. His diligent adherence to the law, while flawed in its foundation, nonetheless required significant effort and moral conflict, indicating a notable level of legal and moral integrity in the young man that was indeed deserving of love.