# Matthew 19.16-30

<!-- type: passage | created: 2026-05-06 | updated: 2026-05-06 -->

**Book:** [Matthew](/codex/matthew-the-apostle/) · ASV / WEB / KJV / YLT

## Immediate context (±2 verses)

**ASV** ([ASV](/codex/asv/))
> 14. But Jesus said, <span class="rl-speech">Suffer the little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for to such belongeth the kingdom of heaven.</span> 15. <span class="rl-speech">And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.</span>
>
> **16. <span class="rl-speech">And behold, one came to him and said, Teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?</span> 17. And he said unto him, <span class="rl-speech">Why askest thou me concerning that which is good? One there is who is good: but if thou wouldest enter into life, keep the commandments.</span> 18. He saith unto him, <span class="rl-speech">Which?</span> And Jesus said, <span class="rl-speech">Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,</span> 19. <span class="rl-speech">Honor thy father and mother; and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.</span> 20. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I observed: what lack I yet? 21. Jesus said unto him, <span class="rl-speech">If thou wouldest be perfect, go, sell that which thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.</span> 22. <span class="rl-speech">But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sorrowful; for he was one that had great possessions.</span> 23. And Jesus said unto his disciples, <span class="rl-speech">Verily I say unto you, It is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven.</span> 24. <span class="rl-speech">And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.</span> 25. <span class="rl-speech">And when the disciples heard it, they were astonished exceedingly, saying, Who then can be saved?</span> 26. And Jesus looking upon them said to them, <span class="rl-speech">With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.</span> 27. Then answered Peter and said unto him, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee; what then shall we have? 28. And Jesus said unto them, <span class="rl-speech">Verily I say unto you, that ye who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit on the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.</span> 29. <span class="rl-speech">And every one that hath left houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit eternal life.</span> 30. <span class="rl-speech">But many shall be last that are first; and first that are last.</span>** (Matthew 19:14-30, ASV)

**WEB** ([WEB](/codex/web/))
> 14. But Jesus said, <span class="rl-speech">“Allow the little children, and don’t forbid them to come to me; for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to ones like these.”</span> 15. He laid his hands on them, and departed from there.
>
> **16. Behold, one came to him and said, “Good teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” 17. He said to him, <span class="rl-speech">“Why do you call me good? No one is good but one, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”</span> 18. He said to him, <span class="rl-speech">“Which ones?”</span> Jesus said, <span class="rl-speech">“‘You shall not murder.’ ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ ‘You shall not steal.’ ‘You shall not offer false testimony.’</span> 19. <span class="rl-speech">‘Honor your father and your mother.’ And, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’</span>” 20. The young man said to him, “All these things I have observed from my youth. What do I still lack?” 21. Jesus said to him, <span class="rl-speech">“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.”</span> 22. But when the young man heard the saying, he went away sad, for he was one who had great possessions. 23. Jesus said to his disciples, <span class="rl-speech">“Most certainly I say to you, a rich man will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven with difficulty.</span> 24. <span class="rl-speech">Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.”</span> 25. <span class="rl-speech">When the disciples heard it, they were exceedingly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”</span> 26. Looking at them, Jesus said, <span class="rl-speech">“With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”</span> 27. Then Peter answered, “Behold, we have left everything, and followed you. What then will we have?” 28. Jesus said to them, <span class="rl-speech">“Most certainly I tell you that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on the throne of his glory, you also will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.</span> 29. <span class="rl-speech">Everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive one hundred times, and will inherit eternal life.</span> 30. <span class="rl-speech">But many will be last who are first; and first who are last.</span>** (Matthew 19:14-30, WEB)

**KJV** ([KJV](/codex/kjv/))
> 14. But Jesus said, <span class="rl-speech">Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.</span> 15. <span class="rl-speech">And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.</span>
>
> **16. <span class="rl-speech">And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?</span> 17. And he said unto him, <span class="rl-speech">Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.</span> 18. He saith unto him, <span class="rl-speech">Which?</span> Jesus said, <span class="rl-speech">Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,</span> 19. <span class="rl-speech">Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.</span> 20. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 21. Jesus said unto him, <span class="rl-speech">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.</span> 22. <span class="rl-speech">But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.</span> 23. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. 24. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 25. When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? 26. But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, <span class="rl-speech">With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.</span> 27. Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? 28. And Jesus said unto them, <span class="rl-speech">Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.</span> 29. <span class="rl-speech">And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.</span> 30. <span class="rl-speech">But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.</span>** (Matthew 19:14-30, KJV)

**YLT** ([YLT](/codex/ylt/))
> 14. But Jesus said, <span class="rl-speech">'Suffer the children, and forbid them not, to come unto me, for of such is the reign of the heavens;'</span> 15. and having laid on them [his] hands, he departed thence.
>
> **16. And lo, one having come near, said to him, 'Good teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have life age-during?' 17. And he said to him, <span class="rl-speech">'Why me dost thou call good? no one [is] good except One, God; but if thou dost will to enter into the life, keep the commands.'</span> 18. He saith to him, <span class="rl-speech">'What kind?'</span> And Jesus said, <span class="rl-speech">'Thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not bear false witness,</span> 19. <span class="rl-speech">honour thy father and mother, and, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.'</span> 20. The young man saith to him, 'All these did I keep from my youth; what yet do I lack?' 21. Jesus said to him, <span class="rl-speech">'If thou dost will to be perfect, go away, sell what thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven, and come, follow me.'</span> 22. And the young man, having heard the word, went away sorrowful, for he had many possessions; 23. and Jesus said to his disciples, <span class="rl-speech">'Verily I say to you, that hardly shall a rich man enter into the reign of the heavens;</span> 24. <span class="rl-speech">and again I say to you, it is easier for a camel through the eye of a needle to go, than for a rich man to enter into the reign of God.'</span> 25. <span class="rl-speech">And his disciples having heard, were amazed exceedingly, saying, 'Who, then, is able to be saved?'</span> 26. <span class="rl-speech">And Jesus having earnestly beheld, said to them, 'With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'</span> 27. Then Peter answering said to him, 'Lo, we did leave all, and follow thee, what then shall we have?' 28. And Jesus said to them, <span class="rl-speech">'Verily I say to you, that ye who did follow me, in the regeneration, when the Son of Man may sit upon a throne of his glory, shall sit, ye also, upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel;</span> 29. <span class="rl-speech">and every one who left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or fields, for my name's sake, an hundredfold shall receive, and life age-during shall inherit;</span> 30. <span class="rl-speech">and many first shall be last, and last first.</span>** (Matthew 19:14-30, YLT)

## Setting

- **Speaker:** Matthew (traditionally) the tax-collector-apostle / narrator + Jesus's direct teaching
- **Audience:** Jewish-Christian audience (heavy OT-fulfillment emphasis)
- **Location:** first-century Palestine (events); possibly Antioch (composition)
- **Time period:** events c. 4 BC, AD 30/33; composed c. AD 60-80

## Theological reading

## Key words

- [G0166 - aionios](/codex/g0166-aionios/), *aionios* (Strong's G166). Also appears in: [Matthew 19](/codex/matthew-19/), [Matthew 25.46](/codex/matthew-25-46/), [Mark 3.20-30](/codex/mark-3-20-30/).
- [G932 - basileia](/codex/g932-basileia/), *basileia* (Strong's G932). Also appears in: [Matthew 4.23](/codex/matthew-4-23/), [Matthew 5.17-20](/codex/matthew-5-17-20/), [Matthew 6.25-34](/codex/matthew-6-25-34/).
- [G1391 - doxa](/codex/g1391-doxa/), *doxa* (Strong's G1391). Also appears in: [Matthew 6.25-34](/codex/matthew-6-25-34/), [Matthew 16.27](/codex/matthew-16-27/), [Matthew 19](/codex/matthew-19/).
- [G1520 - heis](/codex/g1520-heis/), *heis* (Strong's G1520). Also appears in: [Matthew 5.17-18](/codex/matthew-5-17-18/), [Matthew 6.24](/codex/matthew-6-24/), [Matthew 6.25-34](/codex/matthew-6-25-34/).
- [G2222 - zoe](/codex/g2222-zoe/), *zoe* (Strong's G2222). Also appears in: [Matthew 7.13-14](/codex/matthew-7-13-14/), [Matthew 19](/codex/matthew-19/), [Matthew 25.46](/codex/matthew-25-46/).
- [G2316 - theos](/codex/g2316-theos/), *theos* (Strong's G2316). Also appears in: [Matthew 1.23](/codex/matthew-1-23/), [Matthew 3.16](/codex/matthew-3-16/), [Matthew 5.9](/codex/matthew-5-9/).
- [G2424 - Iesous](/codex/g2424-iesous/), *Iesous* (Strong's G2424). Also appears in: [Matthew 1.1](/codex/matthew-1-1/), [Matthew 1.16](/codex/matthew-1-16/), [Matthew 1.18](/codex/matthew-1-18/).
- [G3056 - logos](/codex/g3056-logos/), *logos* (Strong's G3056). Also appears in: [Matthew 7.24-27](/codex/matthew-7-24-27/), [Matthew 8.5-12](/codex/matthew-8-5-12/), [Matthew 8.16](/codex/matthew-8-16/).
- [G3686 - onoma](/codex/g3686-onoma/), *onoma* (Strong's G3686). Also appears in: [Matthew 1.21](/codex/matthew-1-21/), [Matthew 1.23](/codex/matthew-1-23/), [Matthew 1](/codex/matthew-1/).
- [G3956 - pas](/codex/g3956-pas/), *pas* (Strong's G3956). Also appears in: [Matthew 1](/codex/matthew-1/), [Matthew 2.1-6](/codex/matthew-2-1-6/), [Matthew 2.16](/codex/matthew-2-16/).
- [G3962 - pater](/codex/g3962-pater/), *pater* (Strong's G3962). Also appears in: [Matthew 5.48](/codex/matthew-5-48/), [Matthew 6.25-26](/codex/matthew-6-25-26/), [Matthew 6.25-34](/codex/matthew-6-25-34/).
- [G4982 - sozo](/codex/g4982-sozo/), *sozo* (Strong's G4982). Also appears in: [Matthew 1.21](/codex/matthew-1-21/), [Matthew 14.22-33](/codex/matthew-14-22-33/), [Matthew 16.24-25](/codex/matthew-16-24-25/).
- [G5046 - teleios](/codex/g5046-teleios/), *teleios* (Strong's G5046). Also appears in: [Matthew 5.48](/codex/matthew-5-48/), [Matthew 19](/codex/matthew-19/), [Romans 12.2](/codex/romans-12-2/).
- [G5207 - huios](/codex/g5207-huios/), *huios* (Strong's G5207). Also appears in: [Matthew 1.1](/codex/matthew-1-1/), [Matthew 1.20](/codex/matthew-1-20/), [Matthew 1.21](/codex/matthew-1-21/).

## Why these four translations

ris3n chose ASV, WEB, KJV, and YLT for two reasons together. They are the **most literal English translations available** (formal-equivalence: word-for-word renderings that preserve the Hebrew and Greek grammar rather than smoothing it into modern dynamic-equivalence idiom). And they are in the **public domain in the United States**, which means fair-use quotation at any length requires no publisher license. Modern licensed translations (NASB95, ESV, NIV) restrict volume of quotation under their copyright terms, so they are not used at stub-level coverage here. NASB95 appears only on hand-curated rich passage hubs under Lockman Foundation's fair-use allowance.

The four:

- **[ASV](/codex/asv/)** (American Standard Version, 1901). The basis of the modern critical-text English tradition.
- **[WEB](/codex/web/)** (World English Bible, contemporary). Public-domain revision in the ASV line, in current English.
- **[KJV](/codex/kjv/)** (King James Version, 1611). Reformation-era, Textus Receptus base.
- **[YLT](/codex/ylt/)** (Young's Literal Translation, Robert Young, 1862). Hyper-literal preservation of Hebrew and Greek grammar; useful for word-study work even where English reads stiff.

See [Bibles](/codex/bibles/) for the full per-translation history, translators, textual basis, strengths, and weaknesses.

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## Quoted in

**Arguments and defeaters:**

- [Argument from the Anomalous Humor Convergence](/codex/argument-from-the-anomalous-humor-convergence/), via [Matthew 19.24](/codex/matthew-19-24/)
- [Jesus Said Only God Is Good Objection Defeater](/codex/jesus-said-only-god-is-good-objection-defeater/), via [Matthew 19.16-17](/codex/matthew-19-16-17/), [Matthew 19.17](/codex/matthew-19-17/), [Matthew 19.21](/codex/matthew-19-21/)
- [Mustard Seed Smallest Seed Objection Defeater](/codex/mustard-seed-smallest-seed-objection-defeater/), via [Matthew 19.24](/codex/matthew-19-24/)
- [Paul Invented Christianity Objection Defeater](/codex/paul-invented-christianity-objection-defeater/), via [Matthew 19.17](/codex/matthew-19-17/)

**Concepts:**

- [Coptic Orthodox Church](/codex/coptic-orthodox-church/), via [Matthew 19.21](/codex/matthew-19-21/)
- [Doctrine](/codex/doctrine/), via [Matthew 19.26](/codex/matthew-19-26/)
- [Jesus Said](/codex/jesus-said/), via [Matthew 19](/codex/matthew-19/)
- [Kingdom Business](/codex/kingdom-business/), via [Matthew 19.23](/codex/matthew-19-23/)
- [Monasticism](/codex/monasticism/), via [Matthew 19.21](/codex/matthew-19-21/)
- [Young's Literal Translation](/codex/ylt/), via [Matthew 19.16-17](/codex/matthew-19-16-17/)
- [Zeitgeist - Astrotheological Claims](/codex/zeitgeist-astrotheological-claims/), via [Matthew 19.28](/codex/matthew-19-28/)

**Lexicon:**

- [G0863 - aphiemi](/codex/g0863-aphiemi/), via [Matthew 19.27](/codex/matthew-19-27/)
- [G3686 - onoma](/codex/g3686-onoma/), via [Matthew 19.29](/codex/matthew-19-29/)

**Passages:**

- [Matthew 19.16-17](/codex/matthew-19-16-17/)

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