Matthew 19 · Verse 22

Matthew 19:22

But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
Matthew 19:22, King James Version

Matthew 19:22 in other translations

BSBWhen the young man heard this, he went away in sorrow, because he had great wealth.
WEBBut when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he was one who had great possessions.
ASVBut when the young man heard the saying, he went away sorrowful; for he was one that had great possessions.
YLTAnd the young man, having heard the word, went away sorrowful, for he had many possessions;
DARBYBut the young man, having heard the word, went away grieved, for he had large possessions.
BBEBut hearing these words the young man went away sorrowing: for he had much property.
WebsterBut when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

What does Matthew 19:22 mean?

Barnes' Notes
Verse 22. He had great possessions. He was very rich. He made an idol of them. He loved them more than God. He had NOT kept the commandments from his youth up; nor had he kept them at all. And rather than do good with his treasures, and seek his salvation by obeying God, this young man chose to turn away from the Saviour, and give over his inquiry about eternal life. He probably returned no more. Alas, how many lovely and amiable young persons follow his example!

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 22 Went away sorrowful - Men undergo great agony of mind while they are in suspense between the love of the world and the love of their souls. When the first absolutely predominates, then they enjoy a factitious rest through a false peace: when the latter has the upper hand, then they possess true tranquillity of mind, through that peace of God that passeth knowledge. He had great possessions - And what were these in comparison of peace of conscience, and mental rest? Besides, he had unequivocal proof that these contributed nothing to his comfort, for he is now miserable even while he possesses them! And so will every soul be, who puts worldly goods in the place of the supreme God. See on Mar 10:22 (note).

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 19:22 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.

ἈκούσαςAkousasHaving heardG191
δὲdenowG1161
ὁhotheG3588
νεανίσκοςneaniskosyoung manG3495
τὸνton<the>G3588
λόγονlogonstatementG3056
ἀπῆλθενapēlthenhe went awayG565
λυπούμενος·lupoumenosgrieving;G3076
ἦνēnhe was [one]G1510
γὰρgarforG1063
ἔχωνechōnhavingG2192
κτήματαktēmatapossessionsG2933
πολλά.¶pollamany.G4183

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

Cross references for Matthew 19:22

  • 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 they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.

  • Matthew 6:24

    No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

  • Matthew 13:22

    He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

  • Ephesians 5:5

    For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

  • Mark 10:22

    And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.

  • Colossians 3:5

    Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

  • Matthew 16:26

    For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

  • Matthew 14:9

    And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her.

  • Luke 18:23

    And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.

  • Mark 6:26

    And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath’s sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her.

  • Psalms 17:14

    From men which are thy hand, O Lord, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.

  • Daniel 6:14-17

    Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him. Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed. Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee. And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
he went.
13:22; 14:9; Jud 18:23,24; Da 6:14-17; Mr 6:26; 10:22; Lu 18:23
Joh 19:12-16
for.
6:24; 16:26; Ps 17:14; Eze 33:31; Eph 5:5; Col 3:5

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

Context

  • 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.

  • Matthew 19:22

    But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

  • Matthew 19:23

    Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Read all of Matthew 19

Matthew 19:22 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y oyendo el mancebo esta palabra, se fué triste, porque tenía muchas posesiones.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et le jeune homme, ayant entendu cette parole, s’en alla tout triste, car il avait de grands biens.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Als aber der Jüngling das Wort hörte, ging er betrübt hinweg, denn er hatte viele Güter.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Cum audisset autem adolescens verbum, abiit tristis: erat enim habens multas possessiones.