The Audience Mark Is Writing To
Mark writes to believers navigating status, security, and ambition in a Roman world. The story of the rich young ruler cost of discipleship highlights how this encounter exposes how wealth and success can quietly compete with wholehearted devotion to Jesus.
Key Focus of the Passage and Jesus’ Character
The focus is surrender and trust. Jesus is revealed as loving yet uncompromising—He looks at the man with love, then tells him the truth he needs to hear.
📖 Scripture: Mark 10:17–31 (NASB)
As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up.” Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property. And Jesus, looking around, said to His disciples, “How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” They were even more astonished and said to Him, “Then who can be saved?” Looking at them, Jesus said, “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.” Peter began to say to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You.” Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last, first.”
The People Jesus Interacted With
Jesus interacts with a wealthy, sincere seeker, then turns to His disciples to teach them about salvation, trust, and reward.
What Happened in the Scene
The man approaches respectfully and confidently, but when Jesus exposes the one thing he cannot release, he walks away grieving. Jesus then teaches His disciples about the danger of wealth and the possibility of salvation only through God.
Mood and Tone
The tone is tender yet sobering. Love and truth meet, but the cost of discipleship is made unmistakably clear.
What Jesus Said
“One thing you lack… come, follow Me.”
“With people it is impossible, but not with God.”
Jesus reveals both the cost of surrender and the hope of grace.
The Response of the Others
- The rich man walks away, unwilling to surrender his treasure.
- The disciples are astonished, rethinking success and salvation.
- Peter seeks reassurance—and Jesus promises eternal reward.
The Lesson for Us in 2026
- Good Intentions Are Not Enough – Discipleship requires surrender, not sincerity alone.
- What We Cling To Reveals Our Trust – Jesus exposes the true treasure of the heart.
- God Makes the Impossible Possible – Salvation is God’s work, not human achievement.
Jesus does not ask us to give up everything to lose life—but to gain it.
