Luke 18:22
New International Version
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

New Living Translation
When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

English Standard Version
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

Berean Standard Bible
On hearing this, Jesus told him, “You still lack one thing: Sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”

Berean Literal Bible
And having heard, Jesus said to him, "To you, yet one thing is lacking: Sell all, as much as you have, and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in the heavens; and come, follow Me."

King James Bible
Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

New King James Version
So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

New American Standard Bible
Now when Jesus heard this, He said to him, “One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

NASB 1995
When Jesus heard this, He said to him, “One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

NASB 1977
And when Jesus heard this, He said to him, “One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess, and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And when Jesus heard this, He said to him, “One thing you still lack: sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven. And come, follow Me.”

Amplified Bible
When Jesus heard this, He said to him, “You still lack one thing; sell everything that you have and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have [abundant] treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me [becoming My disciple, believing and trusting in Me and walking the same path of life that I walk].”

Christian Standard Bible
When Jesus heard this, he told him, “You still lack one thing: Sell all you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When Jesus heard this, He told him, “You still lack one thing: Sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”

American Standard Version
And when Jesus heard it, he said unto him, One thing thou lackest yet: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

Contemporary English Version
When Jesus heard this, he said, "There is one thing you still need to do. Go and sell everything you own! Give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven. Then come and be my follower."

English Revised Version
And when Jesus heard it, he said unto him, One thing thou lackest yet: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still need one thing. Sell everything you have. Distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then follow me!"

Good News Translation
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "There is still one more thing you need to do. Sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven; then come and follow me."

International Standard Version
When Jesus heard this, he told him, "You still need to do one thing. Sell everything you have and give the money to the destitute, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come back and follow me."

Majority Standard Bible
On hearing this, Jesus told him, ?You still lack one thing: Sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.?

NET Bible
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

New Heart English Bible
When Jesus heard it, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have, and distribute it to the poor. You will have treasure in heaven. Come, follow me."

Webster's Bible Translation
Now when Jesus heard these things, he said to him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

Weymouth New Testament
On receiving this answer Jesus said to him, "There is still one thing wanting in you. Sell everything you possess and give the money to the poor, and you shall have wealth in Heaven; and then come, follow me."

World English Bible
When Jesus heard these things, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor. Then you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and having heard these things, Jesus said to him, “Yet one thing to you is lacking: all things—as many as you have—sell, and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven, and come, follow Me”;

Berean Literal Bible
And having heard, Jesus said to him, "To you, yet one thing is lacking: Sell all, as much as you have, and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in the heavens; and come, follow Me."

Young's Literal Translation
and having heard these things, Jesus said to him, 'Yet one thing to thee is lacking; all things -- as many as thou hast -- sell, and distribute to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven, and come, be following me;'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jesus having heard these, said to him, Yet one thing fails thee: all whatever thou hast, sell and distribute to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Which when Jesus had heard, he said to him: Yet one thing is wanting to thee: sell all whatever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when Jesus heard this, he said to him: “One thing is still lacking for you. Sell all the things that you have, and give to the poor. And then you will have treasure in heaven. And come, follow me.”

New American Bible
When Jesus heard this he said to him, “There is still one thing left for you: sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have a treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

New Revised Standard Version
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “There is still one thing lacking. Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
When Jesus heard it, he said to him, You lack one thing; go, sell everything you have, and give it to the poor, and you will have a treasure in heaven; and come and follow me.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But when Yeshua heard these things, he said to him, “You lack one thing: Go sell everything that you have and give to the poor, and you shall have a treasure in Heaven, and come after me.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
When Jesus heard this, he said to him: One thing you yet lack; sell all that you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

Godbey New Testament
And Jesus hearing these things, said to him, Still one thing is lacking to thee: Sell all things whatsoever you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

Haweis New Testament
Then Jesus hearing this, said to him, Yet one thing thou lackest: sell all whatsoever thou hast, and distribute to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

Mace New Testament
upon hearing that, Jesus said to him, one thing you have yet to do: sell all you have, and give it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: then come, and follow me.

Weymouth New Testament
On receiving this answer Jesus said to him, "There is still one thing wanting in you. Sell everything you possess and give the money to the poor, and you shall have wealth in Heaven; and then come, follow me."

Worrell New Testament
And Jesus, hearing it said to him, "Yet one thing is lacking to you; sell all that you have, and distribute to the poor, and you shall have treasure in Heaven, and come, follow Me."

Worsley New Testament
But when Jesus heard these things He said unto him, Thou yet wantest one thing, Sell all that thou hast, and distribute to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Rich Young Ruler
21“All these I have kept from my youth,” he said. 22On hearing this, Jesus told him, “You still lack one thing: Sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” 23But when the ruler heard this, he became very sad, because he was extremely wealthy.…

Cross References
Matthew 19:21
Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”

Mark 10:21
Jesus looked at him, loved him, and said to him, “There is one thing you lack: Go, sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”

Matthew 6:19-21
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Acts 2:44-45
All the believers were together and had everything in common. / Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need.

Acts 4:34-35
There were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds from the sales, / and lay them at the apostles’ feet for distribution to anyone as he had need.

1 Timothy 6:17-19
Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy. / Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share, / treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

James 2:5
Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?

Matthew 13:44-46
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field. / Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. / When he found one very precious pearl, he went away and sold all he had and bought it.

Philippians 3:7-8
But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ. / More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ

2 Corinthians 8:9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.

Proverbs 19:17
Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.

Proverbs 11:24-25
One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor. / A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

Isaiah 58:6-7
Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke? / Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 6:24
No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.


Treasury of Scripture

Now when Jesus heard these things, he said to him, Yet lack you one thing: sell all that you have, and distribute to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

one.

Luke 10:42
But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Psalm 27:4
One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.

Philippians 3:13
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

sell.

Luke 12:33
Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

Luke 16:9
And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.

Matthew 6:19,20
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: …

and come.

Luke 9:23,57-62
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me…

Matthew 19:21,27,28
Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me…

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Luke 18
1. Of the importunate widow.
9. Of the Pharisee and the tax collector.
15. Of Children brought to Jesus.
18. A ruler would follow Jesus, but is hindered by his riches.
28. The reward of those who leave all for his sake.
31. He foretells his death;
35. and restores a blind man to sight.














When Jesus heard this, He said to him
This phrase sets the stage for a pivotal moment in the interaction between Jesus and the rich young ruler. The Greek word for "heard" (ἀκούσας, akousas) implies not just the act of hearing but understanding and perceiving the heart behind the words. Jesus, in His divine wisdom, perceives the young man's sincerity and the struggle within his heart. This moment is a reminder of Jesus' omniscience and His ability to see beyond our words to the intentions and desires of our hearts.

You still lack one thing
The phrase "lack one thing" is crucial. The Greek word for "lack" (λείπεις, leipeis) suggests a deficiency or shortcoming. Despite the young man's adherence to the commandments, Jesus identifies a deeper issue—a spiritual void that material wealth cannot fill. This highlights the insufficiency of external compliance without internal transformation. It serves as a call to examine our own lives for areas where we may be spiritually lacking, despite outward appearances of righteousness.

Sell everything you own
The directive to "sell everything" is radical and counter-cultural, both in the ancient world and today. The Greek word for "sell" (πώλησον, pōlēson) indicates a complete divestment of possessions. This command challenges the young man—and us—to consider the hold that material wealth has on our hearts. Historically, wealth was often seen as a sign of God's favor, yet Jesus turns this notion on its head, emphasizing the need for total reliance on God rather than earthly riches.

and give to the poor
The instruction to "give to the poor" underscores the biblical principle of charity and justice. The Greek word for "give" (δώσον, dōson) implies a generous and willing act. This act of giving is not just about alleviating poverty but about cultivating a heart of compassion and selflessness. It reflects the scriptural mandate to care for the marginalized and to use our resources to bless others, aligning with the teachings found throughout both the Old and New Testaments.

and you will have treasure in heaven
The promise of "treasure in heaven" contrasts sharply with earthly wealth. The Greek word for "treasure" (θησαυρὸν, thēsauron) suggests something of great value and eternal significance. This phrase invites believers to shift their focus from temporal gains to eternal rewards. It echoes Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:19-21), where He instructs His followers to store up treasures in heaven, emphasizing the eternal over the temporal.

Then come, follow Me
The call to "follow Me" is the ultimate invitation to discipleship. The Greek word for "follow" (ἀκολούθει, akolouthei) implies a continuous, active pursuit. This is not merely an invitation to walk alongside Jesus but to commit one's life to His teachings and mission. It is a call to surrender all, to prioritize Christ above all else, and to embark on a journey of faith and obedience. This invitation is extended to all believers, challenging us to evaluate our own willingness to forsake all for the sake of following Christ.

(22) Yet lackest thou one thing.--It may be noted that the words almost imply the previous question, which has just been referred to.

And come, follow me.--St. Luke, with St. Matthew, omits the "taking up thy cross," which is found in many, but not all, MSS. of St. Mark.

Verse 22. - Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing. St. Mark (Mark 10:21), who had St. Peter's memories to draw from, adds here a very touching detail. "Jesus beholding him [looking earnestly at him] loved him." There was something noble and true in that life, struggling in the imperfect light of the rabbinic teaching after eternity and heaven, and feeling that in all its struggles some element was surely wanting; and Jesus, as he gazed on the young earnest face, loved him, and proceeded to show him how far removed his life was as yet from the perfect life he dreamed of attaining to. He would show him in a moment how selfish, how earthly, were his thoughts and aims; how firmly chained to earth that heart of his, which he thought only longed for heaven. Sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me; "Well," the Master said, "I will test you. You say you have from your child-days kept your whole duty to your neighbour; you say that you hunger after the higher righteousness. Do you really? Will you indeed be perfect (Matthew 19:21)? Then I will tell you what you lack. Go, sell those great possessions which I know you love so dearly, and give all to the poor, and come, take up the cross (Mark 10:21), and follow me, the homeless, landless Teacher whom you call by the Divine title 'good.'" The "cross" of St. Mark only Jesus understood then in all its dread significance. It was coming then very near; and the great Teacher saw that his true servants, if they would indeed follow him, must follow him along that lonely road of suffering he was then treading. "Via crucis, via lucis." The young ruler, with his great wealth, thought he had from his youth done his whole duty to his neighbour. The Galilaean Master, whom he so reverenced and admired, reminded him that out of those wide domains, those stored-up riches, out of the mammon of unrighteousness, he had forgotten to make to himself friends who, when he died, should receive him into the eternal tents of heaven. This is what he lacked, lie had probably heard the Lord's teaching in the parables of the unjust steward and of Lazarus.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
On
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

hearing this,
Ἀκούσας (Akousas)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.

Jesus
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

told
εἶπεν (eipen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

him,
αὐτῷ (autō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

“You
σοι (soi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

still
Ἔτι (Eti)
Adverb
Strong's 2089: (a) of time: still, yet, even now, (b) of degree: even, further, more, in addition. Perhaps akin to etos; 'yet, ' still.

lack
λείπει (leipei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3007: A primary verb; to leave, i.e. to fail or be absent.

one thing:
ἕν (hen)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 1520: One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.

Sell
πώλησον (pōlēson)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4453: To sell, exchange, barter. Probably ultimately from pelomai; to barter, i.e. To sell.

everything
πάντα (panta)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

you own
ἔχεις (echeis)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

give
διάδος (diados)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 1239: From dia and didomi; to give throughout a crowd, i.e. Deal out; also to deliver over.

to [the] poor,
πτωχοῖς (ptōchois)
Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4434: Poor, destitute, spiritually poor, either in a good sense (humble devout persons) or bad.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

you will have
ἕξεις (hexeis)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

treasure
θησαυρὸν (thēsauron)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2344: A store-house for precious things; hence: a treasure, a store. From tithemi; a deposit, i.e. Wealth.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

heaven.
οὐρανοῖς (ouranois)
Noun - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3772: Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.

Then
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

come,
δεῦρο (deuro)
Verb - Imperative - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 1204: Here; used also imperative hither!; and of time, hitherto.

follow
ἀκολούθει (akolouthei)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 190: To accompany, attend, follow. Properly, to be in the same way with, i.e. To accompany.

Me.?
μοι (moi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.


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NT Gospels: Luke 18:22 When Jesus heard these things he said (Luke Lu Lk)
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