Luke 18:22
What does Luke 18:22 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 18:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 18:22 means
Jesus directly addressed the ruler's remaining deficiency: his attachment to wealth. He commanded him to sell all his possessions, distribute the proceeds to the poor, and then follow Him. This was a radical call to complete surrender and discipleship, promising heavenly treasure in return for earthly sacrifice. Jesus was not saying salvation could be bought, but that the ruler's wealth was his idol, preventing his full devotion to God and true entry into the Kingdom.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Now 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Jesus, hearing it, said to him, One thing you still have need of; get money for your goods, and give it away to the poor, and you will have wealth in heaven; and come after me.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and 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;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Which 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.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And when Jesus had heard this, he said to him, One thing is lacking to thee yet: Sell all that thou hast and distribute to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in the heavens, and come, follow me.
Context
This verse contains Jesus's pivotal and radical command to the rich ruler, immediately after the ruler's claim of perfect obedience in verse 21. This command serves as the acid test, exposing the true idol of the ruler's heart and directly challenging his understanding of eternal life. It prepares the reader for the profound emotional and spiritual struggle that the ruler experiences.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 19:27
Then answered Peter and said unto him, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee; what then shall we have?
- Luke 9:23
And he said unto all, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
- 1 Timothy 6:18
that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
- Psalms 27:4
One thing have I asked of Jehovah, that will I seek after: That I may dwell in the house of Jehovah all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of Jehovah, And to inquire in his temple.
- 2 Peter 3:8
But forget not this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
- Philippians 3:13
Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before,
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