Matthew 19:16Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Thus, Paul aptly termed it the root of all evils, stating that covetousness is the root of all evils (1 Tim. 6:10). The young man demonstrated considerable earnestness in his inquiry to Jesus regarding eternal life. While some sought to ensnare Christ and others approached Him based on personal or communal afflictions, this young man earnestly engaged in a conversation about everlasting life. The soil was rich and conducive to growth, yet a thicket of thorns stifled the seeds planted. Observe his eagerness to heed Christ's guidance. “What shall I do,” he inquired, “that I may inherit eternal life?” This reveals his willingness to comply with the directives of the Master. If he had intended to deceive Jesus, the evangelist would have made that clear, as he did in other instances, such as the account of the lawyer. Furthermore, even if the young man's intentions were hidden from us, Christ would not have allowed such deceit to go unchecked; He would have reproached him overtly or subtly, ensuring that we do not conclude the young man misled Him only to chastise Jesus in return. Additionally, had he approached with malevolent intent, he would not have departed sad after hearing the truth. None of the Pharisees, who were often unyielding despite being corrected by Jesus, exhibited such a response. The young man left in sorrow, indicating that his approach was not entirely insidious, even if not perfectly pure; he sought eternal life yet was greatly hindered by his attachment to material wealth. When Christ told him, “If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments” (v. 17), he did not hesitate to ask, “Which?” (v. 17). His inquiry was not meant to test Jesus but arose from his belief that there were additional commands beyond the law that could guide him to eternal life. His desire for salvation was fervent! When Jesus enumerated the commandments, the young man affirmed, “All these things have I kept from my youth” (v. 20), and he persisted, “What lack I yet?” (v. 20). This also reflects his intense aspiration for eternal salvation. It is significant that he did not consider himself to have accomplished all necessary for salvation but instead recognized that his previous adherence was still insufficient to attain his desired goal.

As for being called the Good, we perceive Him as an active presence who shares Himself with others, for true goodness can only be recognized in the act of benefiting others. Thus, these two titles must equally embody both God’s essence and His engagement with the world—the former relating to the three persons of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, while the latter pertains to His varied powers and actions. Hence, while we regard God as triune in essence, it is equally fitting to refer to Him as Almighty regarding His works. In response to those who question: Why does God create man predisposed to evil and yet punish him for his transgressions?

Likewise, those who seek honor and glory will find them stripped away by the harsh grip of death. However, those who devote their lives to achieving salvation will carry that very salvation into eternity, forever comforted by the triumph they secured in life. Dearest brethren, what steps must we take to achieve salvation? The most profound answer to this pivotal question is revealed in the Gospel. The Lord stated that for those who do not believe in Him, faith in Christ is essential, while for those who do believe, living according to God’s commandments is required. He who does not embrace Christ will face eternal destruction, and he who professes his faith in Christ but neglects His holy commandments will likewise perish. Hence, it is vital to possess a living faith in Christ for salvation. The spiritual sanctuary that holds the invaluable treasure of true faith, from which it is constantly imparted, is the One Holy Orthodox Church. Thus, belonging to the Orthodox Church is indispensable for salvation; those who disregard the Church are to be treated as outcasts (Matthew 18:17), as the Lord has instructed. It is futile for some to trivialize mental sin as insignificant. Just as the spirit transcends the body, so do the virtues performed by the spirit rise above those of the body; conversely, the sins of the spirit are far more severe and damaging than those committed by the body. Bodily sins are clear-cut, while spiritual sins often go unnoticed, sometimes entirely concealed from those caught up in worldly distractions. Such sins are far more destructive, delivering painful blows that leave indelible wounds. Once a bearer of light, the angel who fell became a sorrowful demon, cast out from heaven and condemned to the depths. He led away many angels and countless people who allowed their thinking to become tainted by falsehoods. The Lord has called this fallen angel the father of lies and a murderer of men, as he cannot remain in the truth (see John 8:44). Lies are the source of eternal death; conversely, truth provides the foundation for salvation, as stated by the Lord Himself (see John 8:32). The Church preserves this sacred truth. By belonging to and adhering to her teachings, one can obtain the correct understanding of God, humanity, good, evil, and ultimately salvation. Clearly, lacking a proper understanding of salvation precludes the possibility of attaining it. The path to salvation begins with truth! The foundation of salvation lies in right thought!

In contrast, those who meticulously account for their good deeds believe these actions represent total compliance with God's commandments and feel they are just a step away from perfection. While they may genuinely seek the Kingdom of Heaven, they often deceive themselves—fulfilling the commandments only on the surface without truly embodying their spirit. This mirrors the experience of the wealthy young man in the Gospel: as recorded by Mark the Evangelist, he ran to Jesus, kneeling in reverence, and asked, “Good Teacher! WHAT MUST I DO to RECEIVE ETERNAL LIFE?” This inquiry presents a commendable and thought-provoking question to our Savior: a query about life from the very source of life, concerning salvation from the Savior, and seeking insights from the Teacher regarding the core tenets of His message. This highlights the primary focus of the Gospel: the gift of eternal life. If eternal life were attainable through the laws of Moses alone, there would have been no need for Christ’s suffering on our behalf. The young man, despite his adherence to the Law, sought something more—immortality from another source. Some criticize him for approaching Jesus with treachery or to test Him; however, St. Chrysostom suggests that he was more a lover of wealth than deceitful, as Christ pointed out his attachment to riches. It is unwise to judge intents when we lack knowledge, and Mark’s Gospel counters these suspicions by stating, “Jesus looked at him and loved him.” Had the young man approached with the intent to tempt the Lord, the Evangelist would have indicated that, as he does in other narratives, such as that of the lawyer. Moreover, if the young man were insincere, Christ would have exposed that pretense, either openly or subtly. Yet, when confronted with Jesus’ response, he left in sorrow—a reaction not typical of the Pharisees, who grew more obstinate when challenged. This sorrow indicates that he did not come with deceitful motives, even if his intentions were not completely pure; his desire for eternal life was hindered by the stronger pull of greed. The young man displayed considerable enthusiasm in seeking Jesus, unlike some who approached Him to provoke or out of need for healing; he asked about eternal life. The soil of his heart was fertile, yet it was choked by thorns, blocking the growth of what could be planted. His eagerness to adhere to Jesus’ commands was evident in his question: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Yet, this fervent seeker of salvation remained unaware of the profound grip of covetousness that threatened to suffocate his other virtues, which is why the apostle Paul termed it the root of all evils. The young man viewed Jesus as merely a teacher among the Jews, whereas the Lord engaged him as one would to another fellow human.

Eternal life is described as the joy of heaven, in stark contrast to the eternal suffering of hell, which is termed eternal death (Rev. 2:2, Rev. 20:14). One represents true life, intimately connected with the ultimate Source of life—God; the other signifies profound spiritual death, existing in separation from the ultimate Source of life—God.