Matthew 19:20

20 The young man said to him, "All these things I have observed from my youth. What do I still lack?"

Matthew 19:20 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 19:20

The young man saith unto him
For though he was so very rich and in such an exalted station in life, as to be a ruler, it seems he was but a young man; and to be so early serious and religious, amidst so much riches and grandeur, though it was but externally, was both remarkable and commendable: upon hearing the answer of Christ, with which he was highly pleased and greatly elated, he very pertly replies,

all these things have I kept from my youth up:
as soon as he was capable of learning, his parents taught him these precepts; and ever since he had the use of his reason, and understood the letter, and outward meaning of them, he had been careful to observe them; nor could he charge himself with any open and flagrant transgression of them; not understanding the internal sense, extensive compass, and spirituality of them; and therefore asks,

what lack I yet?
In what am I deficient hitherto? in what have I come short of doing these things? what remains at last to be performed? what other precepts are to be obeyed? if there are any other commands, I am ready to observe them, which may be thought necessary to obtain eternal life.

Matthew 19:20 In-Context

18 He said to him, "Which ones?" Yeshua said, "You shall not kill. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not offer false testimony.

19 Honor your father and mother. And, you shall love your neighbor as yourself."

20 The young man said to him, "All these things I have observed from my youth. What do I still lack?"

21 Yeshua said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."

22 But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sad, for he was one who had great possessions.