Devine Scripture

Mark 10:20

What does Mark 10:20 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 10:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 10:20 means

The man confidently responds to Jesus, claiming that he has meticulously observed all these commandments from his youth. This declaration reveals his sincere conviction of his own moral uprightness according to the Law, yet it also exposes a measure of self-righteousness and a superficial understanding of the Law's true depth and spiritual demands.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he said unto him, Teacher, all these things have I observed from my youth.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he said unto him, Teacher, all these things have I observed from my youth.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said to him, Master, all these laws I have kept from the time when I was young.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And he answering said to him, `Teacher, all these did I keep from my youth.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But he answering, said to him: Master, all these things I have observed from my youth.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he answering said to him, Teacher, all these things have I kept from my youth.

Context

Having heard Jesus list several commandments, the man confidently asserts his lifelong obedience to them. This claim of moral perfection sets up Jesus' loving but piercing response in the next verse, where He identifies the 'one thing' blocking the man's path to eternal life, revealing the true cost of discipleship.

v.19Thou knowest the commandments, Do not kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor thy father and mother.

v.20This passage

v.21And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 10:29

    But he, desiring to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor?

  • Ezekiel 5:14

    Moreover I will make thee a desolation and a reproach among the nations that are round about thee, in the sight of all that pass by.

  • Philippians 3:6

    as touching zeal, persecuting the church; as touching the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless.

  • Malachi 3:8

    Will a man rob God? yet ye rob me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

  • Luke 18:11

    The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

  • Ezekiel 33:31

    And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but do them not; for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goeth after their gain.

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