MARK 10:17–31, THE RICH MAN AND THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP
DETACHMENT FROM WEALTH AND THE CALL TO FOLLOW CHRIST
Introduction
As Jesus continues His journey toward Jerusalem, a sincere and morally upright man approaches Him with a profound question about eternal life. Unlike the Pharisees who came to test Jesus, this man runs, kneels, and asks respectfully. Yet what unfolds reveals one of the most challenging teachings of Jesus—not because it is unclear, but because it touches the deepest attachments of the human heart. This encounter exposes the tension between sincere religiosity and total surrender. Jesus lovingly invites the man beyond mere commandment-keeping into radical discipleship, revealing that eternal life is not only about avoiding sin, but about wholehearted trust in God over possessions, security, and self-reliance.
Bible Passage (Mark 10:17–31)
As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud; honor your father and your mother.’” He replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.” Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” At that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.”
Peter began to say to him, “We have given up everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come. But many that are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
Background
This passage fits within a larger section of Mark where Jesus is forming His disciples for the cost of following Him. After blessing children—symbols of dependence and trust—Jesus now encounters a man who appears successful, disciplined, and devout. In Jewish thought, wealth was often seen as a sign of God’s blessing. Jesus’ teaching therefore shocks both the man and the disciples. By shifting the focus from legal obedience to inner freedom, Jesus reveals that attachment to wealth can quietly become an obstacle to total trust in God.
Opening Life Connection
Many people today resemble the rich man: sincere, hardworking, morally responsible, and religious. Yet there is often an inner restlessness—a sense that something essential is still missing. We may ask God for guidance, but hesitate when His call threatens our comfort, plans, or security. This Gospel invites us to examine what we hold onto most tightly and whether it prevents us from following Christ freely.
Verse-by-Verse / Phrase-by-Phrase Reflection
The man approaches Jesus with urgency and reverence: “ran up, knelt down before him”. His posture reflects sincerity. His question is genuine: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” He sees eternal life as a goal to be achieved.
Jesus responds by redirecting him: “Why do you call me good?” Jesus is not denying His divinity, but inviting the man to recognize that true goodness originates in God, not in human effort.
Jesus lists commandments related to love of neighbor. When the man replies, “All of these I have observed from my youth,” he speaks truthfully. Yet obedience alone has not brought him inner freedom.
Then comes a crucial line: “Jesus, looking at him, loved him.” What follows is not a harsh demand, but a loving invitation. Jesus says, “You are lacking in one thing.” The problem is not wealth itself, but attachment to it.
The invitation is clear and personal: “Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor… then come, follow me.” Jesus calls him from security to trust, from possession to relationship.
The tragedy unfolds quietly: “His face fell, and he went away sad.” He wanted eternal life, but not at the cost of surrendering what he loved most.
Jesus then teaches the disciples: “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God.” Wealth creates an illusion of self-sufficiency that can replace trust in God.
The image “camel… eye of a needle” is deliberate exaggeration to stress impossibility by human effort alone. Salvation is not earned.
When the disciples ask, “Who can be saved?”, Jesus offers hope: “For God all things are possible.” Grace, not renunciation alone, makes salvation possible.
Peter then speaks honestly: “We have given up everything.” Jesus reassures him with a promise—not of ease, but of abundance with trials: “a hundred times more… with persecutions, and eternal life.”
The final paradox sums it up: “Many that are first will be last, and the last will be first.” God’s Kingdom reverses worldly values.
Jewish Historical and Religious Context
In first-century Judaism, wealth was often interpreted as divine favor. Almsgiving was encouraged, but total renunciation was rare outside prophetic movements. Jesus’ call goes beyond the norm, echoing the radical trust of prophets like Elijah and Elisha. His concern is not poverty for its own sake, but freedom of heart. The poor were seen as especially close to God because they depended entirely on Him.
Catholic Tradition and Teaching
The Church teaches that material goods are gifts from God, but they must serve love and justice. This passage does not condemn wealth, but warns against attachment that replaces God. Evangelical poverty—whether lived literally or spiritually—calls every Christian to detachment, generosity, and trust. Eternal life is pure gift, received through grace and lived through discipleship.
Historical or Saintly Illustration
Saint Francis of Assisi heard this Gospel and took it literally. He renounced wealth, embraced poverty, and followed Christ with joy. His freedom from possessions made him rich in love, peace, and influence, reminding the Church that letting go can open the door to deeper life.
Application to Christian Life Today
Jesus asks each of us, “What is the one thing you are lacking?” It may not be money alone—perhaps control, comfort, reputation, or fear of insecurity. Christians are called to use possessions responsibly, share generously with the poor, and ensure that nothing replaces God at the center of life. True joy comes not from accumulation, but from freedom in Christ.
Eucharistic Connection
In the Eucharist, Christ gives Himself completely without holding back. Receiving Him calls us to imitate His self-gift. As we approach the altar, we are invited to lay down our attachments and trust that God alone is enough. The Eucharist strengthens us to follow Jesus more freely.
Messages / Call to Conversion
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Recognize that eternal life is a gift to be received, not an achievement to be earned.
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Repent of attachments that quietly replace trust in God.
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Practice generosity and solidarity with the poor as a sign of inner freedom.
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Trust that God can do what seems impossible by human standards.
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Resolve to follow Christ more freely, even when it costs comfort or security.
Outline for Preachers
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Background within the Gospel: formation of disciples on the road to Jerusalem
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Life connection: sincere faith mixed with attachment
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Key verses and phrases explained:
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“What must I do to inherit eternal life?”
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“Jesus, looking at him, loved him”
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“You are lacking in one thing”
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“camel… eye of a needle”
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“for God all things are possible”
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Jewish historical and religious context: wealth as blessing
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Catholic teaching and tradition: detachment, grace, discipleship
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Saintly illustration: Saint Francis of Assisi
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Application to life today: generosity, trust, freedom
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Eucharistic connection: Christ’s total self-gift
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Key messages and call to conversion
