Matthew 19:16
And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
**Matthew 19:16**
A young man approaches Jesus with a moral question about inheriting eternal life. The setting is near the end of Jesus’ public teaching on wealth and discipleship. The man’s question reveals a sincere concern for eternal outcomes and reveals a common contemporary quest: “What must I do to be saved?” The gospel reply centers on action and obedience—keeping commandments—as a pathway to life. The man’s earnestness contrasts with the insufficiency of mere external adherence if it lacks heart allegiance to God.
This verse engages with the relationship between law and life in God’s kingdom. It invites reflection on how moral behavior relates to eternal life, and it prepares the ground for Jesus’ later teaching on the necessity of surrender and the dangers of trust in wealth. It also points to the grace-filled need for a deeper transformation that goes beyond rules to love and trust in God.
People today often pursue “eternal life” through ethics or achievement. This verse invites a deeper look: are you seeking God’s life through moral performance, or through a living relationship with Jesus? Practical steps include examining your motives behind good deeds, inviting Jesus to search your heart, and inviting him into areas you’d rather control. It also suggests asking God to reveal any idols—wealth, status, security—that hinder wholehearted devotion.
Cross-References: James 2:14-26; Luke 18:18-23; Romans 6:22-23; Romans 10:9-10; Matthew 7:21-23