A man runs to him and asks how he inherits eternal life and says he has always observed the commandments.
Mark 10:21 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.
Mark 10:21 One thing you lack. Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.
One thing fails you. Depart, sell as much as you have, and give to the beggars, and you will have treasure in skies. And here! Follow me.
English translations skip the "you" that is the object of the first sentence. The "one thing" is the subject, not the object. This changes the means of the verb from meaning "be behind" or "lag behind" to "fails," its meaning when referring to things. The "lack" is not a primary meaning of this verb. The "lag behind" meaning of this first verb plays with the "follow" as the end of the verse.
The Greek word translated as "whatever/everything" means "as much as." It is a comparative term. It is not the word "all" that means "everything."
The "heaven" is, as usual, plural, meaning "skies," but unlike most occurrences lacks a definite article.
We cannot follow if we lag behind because we are dragged down by as much as we have.
- WF -- Wrong Form - The "you" is not the subject of the verb but an object. "leaving."
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "lackest" does not capture the word's specific meaning in this situation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "thy way" does not capture the prefix's specific meaning of "away."
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "whatsoever" does not capture the word's specific meaning in this situation.
- CW --Confusing Word --The word, "heaven," is a religious concept, but this word just means "sky."
- WN --Wrong Number- The word "heaven" is translated as singular but the Greek word is plural.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "come."
- OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek word translated as "take up the cross," existed in the KJV Greek source but not the source we use today.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "and" doesn't exist in the source.
- WF -- Wrong Form - The "you" is not the subject of the verb but an object. "leaving."
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "lack" does not capture the word's specific meaning in this situation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "go" does not capture the word's specific meaning of "go away" or "depart."
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "everything " does not capture the word's specific meaning in this situation.
- CW --Confusing Word --The word, "heaven," is a religious concept, but this word just means "sky."
- WN --Wrong Number- The word "heaven" is translated as singular but the Greek word is plural.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "then" should be something more like "and."
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "come.
One -- The Greek word translated as "one thing" means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same."As in English, it can be used as a pronoun, meaning a single person.
thing -- This comes from the form of the previous word as singular, neutral, form. --
thou -- (WF) The form of this pronoun is a direct object, not a subject. It could come from the verb, but the "one thing" is more likely the subject.
lackest: -- (CW) "Lackest" is from a verb that means to "be behind", "to come later", "to come too late for", "to lag behind", "to fall below", "to fail to obtain", "to lack", "to fail," and "to be wanting." In referring to things, it specifically means "fails." The object here is "you." The subject is "one thing." CW --Confusing Word -- The "lackest" does not capture the word's specific meaning in this situation.
go --"Go" is a Greek verb that means literally "go under" or "bring under," and Jesus uses it to mean "go away" and "depart."
thy way, -- (CW) This completes the meaning of the verb. It is from the prefix that means "away."
sell -- "Sell" is a word that means "to sell" and "to exchange." When this word is applied to people (as it is metaphorically here), it means "to betray" or "to give up."
whatsoever - (CW) The word translated as "whatsoever" means "as great as", ""as much as," and similar ideas of comparison.
thou -- This is from the form of the following verb.
hast, -- The word translated as "have" means to "have", "possess", "bear", "keep close", "have means to do", "to have due to one", or "keep" and many specific uses. This verb isn't used to form past tenses as it is in English.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
give -- The verb translated as "given" means "to give", "to grant", "to hand over", "appoint", "establish," and "to describe." It is almost always translated as some form of "give."
to -- This word "to" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article.The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
poor, -- "Poor" is an adjective that means "a beggar" and "beggarly" and it a metaphor for being lacking in something. It doesn't have an article "the" on it.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
thou -- This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.
shalt -- This helping verb "shall" indicates that the verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
have -- The word translated as "have" means to "have", "possess", "bear", "keep close", "have means to do", "to have due to one", or "keep" and many specific uses. This verb isn't used to form past tenses as it is in English.
treasure -- The word translated as "treasure" means a "store," "treasure," "strong-room," "magazine, "granary," "receptacle for valuables," "safe," "casket," "offertory-box," "cavern," and "subterranean dungeon."
in -- The word translated as "in" also means "within", "with," or "among."
heaven: -- (CW, WN) The word translated as "heaven" means simply the "sky," but it can also mean the "climate," or the "universe." It also meant the home of the gods in a physical sense: the sun, moon, and planets were named for the gods. More about the word in this article. This word is not singular but plural.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
come, -- (CW) "Come" is not the normal verb usually translated as "come" but an adverb that means "hither" and "come on." This is not the word usually translated as "come."
take up the cross, -- (OS) There is nothing in the Greek that can be translated as "take up the cross" in the oldest sources 1 use, but it does exist in the source that the KJV translators used and other old sources.
and -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "and" in the Greek source.
follow - The term "follow" means "to follow," or "go with," in a physical sense, but it is also a metaphor meaning "to be guided by" or "to follow the meaning of."
me. -- The "me" is in the indirect object form of the first-person pronoun, so usually "to me", though the form has other uses in Greek.
One -- The Greek word translated as "one thing" means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same."As in English, it can be used as a pronoun, meaning a single person.
thing -- This comes from the form of the previous word as singular, neutral, form. --
you -- (WF) The form of this pronoun is a direct object, not a subject. It could come from the verb, but the "one thing" is more likely the subject.
lack. -- (CW) "Lack" is from a verb that means to "be behind", "to come later", "to come too late for", "to lag behind", "to fall below", "to fail to obtain", "to lack", "to fail," and "to be wanting." In referring to things, it specifically means "fails." The object here is "you." The subject is "one thing."
Go -- (CW) "Go" is a Greek verb that means literally "go over" or "bring under." Jesus uses it to mean "go away" and "depart."
sell -- "Sell" is a word that means "to sell" and "to exchange." When this word is applied to people (as it is metaphorically here), it means "to betray" or "to give up."
everything - (CW) The word translated as "everything " means "as great as", ""as much as," and similar ideas of comparison.
you -- This is from the form of the following verb.
have , -- The word translated as "have" means to "have", "possess", "bear", "keep close", "have means to do", "to have due to one", or "keep" and many specific uses. This verb isn't used to form past tenses as it is in English.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
give -- The verb translated as "given" means "to give", "to grant", "to hand over", "appoint", "establish," and "to describe." It is almost always translated as some form of "give."
to -- This word "to" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article.The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
poor, -- "Poor" is an adjective that means "a beggar" and "beggarly" and it a metaphor for being lacking in something. It doesn't have an article "the" on it.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
thou -- This is from the second-person, singular form of the verb.
will -- This helping verb "will " indicates that the verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
have -- The word translated as "have" means to "have", "possess", "bear", "keep close", "have means to do", "to have due to one", or "keep" and many specific uses. This verb isn't used to form past tenses as it is in English.
treasure -- The word translated as "treasure" means a "store," "treasure," "strong-room," "magazine, "granary," "receptacle for valuables," "safe," "casket," "offertory-box," "cavern," and "subterranean dungeon."
in -- The word translated as "in" also means "within", "with," or "among."
heaven: -- (CW, WN) The word translated as "heaven" means simply the "sky," but it can also mean the "climate," or the "universe." It also meant the home of the gods in a physical sense: the sun, moon, and planets were named for the gods. More about the word in this article. This word is not singular but plural.
Then -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "then" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
come, -- (CW) "Come" is not the normal verb usually translated as "come" but an adverb that means "hither" and "come on." This is not the word usually translated as "come."
follow - The term "follow" means "to follow," or "go with," in a physical sense, but it is also a metaphor meaning "to be guided by" or "to follow the meaning of."
me. -- The "me" is in the indirect object form of the first-person pronoun, so usually "to me", though the form has other uses in Greek.
ἕν [85 verses](noun sg neut nom/acc ) "One" is heis, which means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same." This noun/adjective is irregular, having a number of forms depending on gender and case. It is always singular.
σε: [48 verses] (pron 2nd sg acc) Untranslated is from se the objective form of the second-person, singular pronoun
ὑστερεῖ: [3 verses] (verb 3rd sg pres ind act) "Thou lackest" is from hystereo, which means to "be behind", "to come later", "to come too late for", "to lag behind", "to fall below", "to fail to obtain", "to lack", "to fail," and "to be wanting."
ὕπαγε [47 verses] ( verb 2nd sg pres imperat act ) "Go your way" is from hypago, which means "to lead under", "to bring under", "to bring a person before judgment", "to lead on by degrees", "to take away from beneath", "to withdraw", "to go away", "to retire", "to draw off," and "off with you."
ὅσα [28 verses]( adj pl neut acc ) "Whatsoever" is hosos, which means "as many", "as much as", "as great as", "as far as," and "only so far as." --
ἔχεις [181 verses] (verb 2nd sg pres ind act ) "Thou hast" is which means "to have", "to hold", "to possess", "to keep", "to have charge of", "to have due to one", "to maintain", "to hold fast", "to bear", "to carry", "to keep close", "to keep safe," and "to have means to do."
πώλησον [12 verses]( verb 2nd sg aor imperat act ) "Sell" is poleo, which means "to sell," "to exchange," "to barter," "to offer to sell," and "to retail." Metaphorically, it means to "give up" and "betray." In the passive, it means "to be sold," "to be offered for sale," and, of persons, "to be bought and sold," and " betrayed.
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "but." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even", "also," and "just."
δὸς [147 verses] ( verb 2nd sg aor imperat act ) "Give" is didomi, which means "to give", "to grant", "to hand over", "appoint", "establish," and "to describe."
[τοῖς] [821 verses] (article pl masc dat) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
πτωχοῖς, [17 verses] ( adj pl masc dat ) "Poor" is ptochos, which means "beggar", "beggar-woman," and "beggarly."
καὶ[1089 verses] (conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "but." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even", "also," and "just."
ἕξεις [181 verses] ( verb 2nd sg fut ind act ) "Thou shalt have" is echo, which means "to have", "to hold", "to possess", "to keep", "to have charge of", "to have due to one", "to maintain", "to hold fast", "to bear", "to carry", "to keep close", "to keep safe," and "to have means to do."
θησαυρὸν ( noun sg masc acc ) "Treasure" is thesauros, which means a "store", "treasure", "strong-room", "magazine, "granary", "receptacle for valuables", "safe", "casket", "offertory-box", "cavern," and "subterranean dungeon."
ἐν [413 verses](prep) "In" is en, which means, with a dative object, "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," "during," and "with." With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." Referring to time, it means. "in the course of" or "during."
οὐρανῷ, [111 verses] (noun sg masc dat) "Heaven" is the Greek ouranos, which means "heaven as in the vault of the sky", "heaven as the seat of the gods", "the sky", "the universe," and "the climate."
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "but." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even", "also," and "just." -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is best translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as".
δεῦρο [4 verses](adv) "Come" is deuro, which is an adverb that means "hither," "here," "until now," "hither to," and [with an imperative] "come on" and [later] "go away."
ἀκολούθει [22 verses]( verb 2nd sg pres imperat act ) "Follow" is akoloutheo which means "to follow," and "to go with." It also means "to be guided by" and means following a leader as a disciple.
μοί, [96 verses](pron 1st sg masc/fem dat) "Me" is moi (emoi) , which can be the object of some prepositions and as the object of a verb means "to me" "for me," and "by me."
The following Greek words are not in the oldest sources.
ἄρας [56 verses](verb 2nd sg fut indt) "Take up" is airo, which means "to lift up," "to raise," "to raise up," "to exalt," "to lift and take away," and "to remove." In some forms, it is the same as apaomai, which means to "pray to," or "pray for."
τὸν [821 verses](article sg masc acc) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
σταυρόν [5 verses](noun sg masc acc) "Cross" is from stauros, which means "upright post or stake," "pointed stick," "posts or piles for a foundation," and "a stake for impaling." In Christ's time, it was used for describing the upright post that held the crossbar for crucifixion.
The play on words here is the contrast between falling behind and following. It starts with the word translated simply as "lack." That word's primary meaning is "to be or to fall behind." It ties to the final word, that means "to follow". The play on words emphasizes that what we follow can be what holds us back.
The lesson here goes back to Christ's third temptation, our desire for worldly, temporary power and comfort. While we following the rules that govern our temporary life are important, they are only important because they help us make spiritual progress. If we get stuck on some aspect of temporary life, in this case wealth, it become very difficult for us to think in terms of what is important in developing our eternal life.