Matthew 19 · Verse 20

Matthew 19:20

The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
Matthew 19:20, King James Version

Matthew 19:20 in other translations

BSB“All these I have kept,” said the young man. “What do I still lack?”
WEBThe young man said to him, “All these things I have observed from my youth. What do I still lack?”
ASVThe young man saith unto him, All these things have I observed: what lack I yet?
YLTThe young man saith to him, ‘All these did I keep from my youth; what yet do I lack?'
DARBYThe young man says to him, All these have I kept; what lack I yet?
BBEThe young man says to him, All these things have I done: what more is there?
WebsterThe young man saith to him, All these things have I kept from my youth: what lack I yet?

What does Matthew 19:20 mean?

Barnes' Notes
Verse 20. All these, etc. I have made these the rule of my life. I have endeavoured to obey them. Is there anything that I lack--any new commandments to be kept ? Do you, the Messiah, teach any new commands, besides those which I have learned from the law, and from the Jewish teachers, which it is proper for me to obey, in order to be saved?

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 20 All these have I kept - I have made these precepts the rule of my life. There is a difference worthy of notice between this and our Lord's word. He says, Mat 19:17, τηρησον, keep, earnestly, diligently, as with watch and ward; probably referring not only to the letter but to the spirit. The young man modestly says, all these (εφυλαξα) have I observed; I have paid attention to, and endeavored to regulate my conduct by them. I have kept them in custody. From my youth - Several MSS., versions, and fathers, leave out these words. Grotius and Mill approve of the omission, and Griesbach leaves them in the text with a note of suspicion. Perhaps the young man meant no more than that he had in general observed them, and considered them of continual obligation. What lack I yet? - He felt a troubled conscience, and a mind unassured of the approbation of God; and he clearly perceived that something was wanting to make him truly happy.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Matthew 19:16-22

Christ knew that covetousness was the sin which most easily beset this young man; though he had got honestly what he possessed, yet he could not cheerfully part with it, and by this his want of sincerity was shown. Christ's promises make his precepts easy, and his yoke pleasant and very comfortable; yet this promise was as much a trial of the young man's faith, as the precept was of his charity and contempt of the…

Read the full comment on Matthew 19:16-22 →

Matthew 19:20 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΛέγειLegeiSaysG3004
αὐτῷautōto himG846
ὁhotheG3588
νεανίσκος·neaniskosyoung man;G3495
πάνταpantaAllG3956
ταῦταtautatheseG3778
ἐφύλαξαephulaxaI have keptG5442
ἐκekfromG1537
νεότητόςneotētosyouthG3503
μου,mouof meG3165
τίtiWhatG5101
ἔτιetiyetG2089
ὑστερῶ;¶husterōdo I lack?G5302

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Matthew 19:20

  • Galatians 3:24

    Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

  • Mark 10:20-21

    And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

  • Philippians 3:6

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

  • Luke 18:11-12

    The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

  • Luke 18:21-22

    And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. 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.

  • Luke 15:7

    I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

  • Luke 15:29

    And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:

  • Romans 7:9

    For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

  • John 8:7

    So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

  • Romans 3:19-23

    Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: …

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
All.
Mr 10:20; Lu 15:7,29; 18:11,12,21; Joh 8:7; Ro 3:19-23; 7:9; Ga 3:24
Php 3:6
what.
Mr 10:21; Lu 18:22

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Matthew 19:19

    Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

  • Matthew 19:20

    The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

  • Matthew 19:21

    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.

Read all of Matthew 19

Matthew 19:20 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Dícele el mancebo: Todo esto guardé desde mi juventud: ¿qué más me falta?
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Le jeune homme lui dit: J’ai gardé toutes ces choses; que me manque-t-il encore?
German
Elberfelder 1871
Der Jüngling spricht zu ihm: Alles dieses habe ich beobachtet; was fehlt mir noch?
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
Dicit illi adolescens: Omnia hæc custodivi a juventute mea: quid adhuc mihi deest?