The Gospel of Matthew
Gaining Eternal Life: Mt 19,16-29
We begin with a story, that of someone (19,16) who turns out to be a rich (16,22) young (16,20) man, 19,16-22, which then continues as a discussion between Jesus and his disciples, 19,23-29.
The Rich Young Man: 19,16-22
Often it is customary to refer to a Gospel story by a title which only reflects one Gospel and maybe only one aspect of the story. This story is a good example because we tend to refer it as that of "the rich young man" but he is described as such only by Matthew (in 19,20.22). In Mark (Mk 10,17-22) his youth is not mentioned while in Luke (Lk 18,18) he has become a ruler. Further, the story begins with "someone", it is only as the story develops that his circumstances emerge.
Calling Jesus "teacher" (19,16) indicates that the man is not a believer. He does not call Jesus "Good Teacher" as in Mark, but refers instead to "Good deeds". That makes his question more direct.
In verse 17, Matthew has removed Mark's comment "even God", Mk 10,18. God is the source of all good, Ps 100,5, and the commandments are the way.
Jesus then gives an exhortation, a change from the direct response in Mark.
To the man's query in verse 18, Jesus replies with the second tablet of the ten commandments, those which refer to the neighbour. To this he adds "love your neighbour as yourself" which comes from Leviticus 19,18. This is a point to which Jesus will return (22,34-40).
Whilst the man make a similar response in both Gospels (verse 20 and Mk 10,20), Matthew changed Mark's direct response to a challenge: if....
In verse 21, "perfect" reflects the Sermon on the Mount: "you must be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect", 5,48. It requires a complete and whole hearted commitment as a disciple of Jesus.
The call is to follow Jesus (19,21), just like the call to the other disciples. Matthew himself (9,9) may be a good example because as a tax collector he was probably wealthy. Matthew answered the call, this young man cannot, verse 22. He is too attached to his possessions, you cannot serve both God and mammon (6,24).
Jesus in Matthew is being a good teacher, he is trying to draw out a response from the man. That can be seen in the comments from Jesus which Matthew adds in verses 17 and 21.
In Mark, Jesus loves the man, certainly, (Mk 10,21) but just states his answer.
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Riches and the Kingdom: 19,23-29
Jesus now speaks to his disciples. This is linked to the preceeding encounter by a mild "but" as we have seen several times.
Matthew has tightened up Mark with the camel saying in verse 24 following immediately on Jesus' opening comment. The first reaction of the disciples in Mk 10,24 is omitted. Matthew is easier on the disciples than Mark.
Wealth was seen as a sign of God's blessing, Dt 28,1-6 being a good example of this and also the story which frames the book of Job. A conservative wisdom teacher like Ben-Sirach though was well aware of the dangers of wealth, Sir 31,1-10). Psalm 49 is a meditation on wealth. Jesus is being counter-cultural.
For Jesus what matters is not riches but entry into the kingdom of heaven, salvation. The camel going through the eye needle is simply exageration for effect, hyperbole.
The disciples response in verse 25 reflects the traditional view of wealth as blessing and salvation. The human temptation is always to make themselves gods, and the oracle against Tyre in Ezekiel (Ezk 28,1-10 makes the point which is as valid as ever. Only with God are all things possible. The allusion to Genesis 8,14 refers to Sarah conceiving in old age.
Peter's question in verse 27 begins "then" develops what preceeds. It is a necessary, important question for the evangelist to raise. Peter and the disciples left everything and immediately followed Jesus (4,20). He could well be wondering what the future held with Jesus overturning so many traditional values.
Unique to Matthew is 19,28. The key word is variously translated new age, renewal or regeneration. The last is the most literal but the point is clear. Matthew is looking to what will happen at the end of time. This time we can understand as the kingdom coming in all its fullness. The classic text for the Son of man Coming in glory is Daniel 7,13-14. It is in this glory that the twelve will share. This looks forward to the parable of the last judgement, 25,31-46. Matthew has altered Mark to give a firmer focus on the age to come.
Matthew has added to verse 29 to say clearly "shall inherit eternal life".
We are ready to return to the main page and continue to the next chapter.