Mark 10:17 Meaning and Explanation
“And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A man runs to Jesus with the deepest question of all, and Jesus meets his urgency with love.
The Context of Mark 10:17
Jesus has set out on the road, heading toward Jerusalem. Mark tells us in the verses that follow that this man was wealthy, and that Jesus, beholding him, loved him (verse 21). The encounter becomes one of the Gospel''s most searching conversations about wealth and the kingdom.
What Does Mark 10:17 Mean?
The scene is full of motion and feeling. As Jesus walks the road, a man comes running, then drops to his knees in the dust, and pours out the question that has been burning in him: what must he do to inherit eternal life? Running and kneeling are not small gestures for a man of standing. Here is someone who has much, yet senses he is missing the one thing that matters, and he will not let Jesus pass without asking.
That longing is one Jesus understands and welcomes. The man wants to know what he must do, and Jesus will gently show him that eternal life is finally about following Him. Mark notes that Jesus looked at him and loved him, even as He named the very thing the man was clinging to. The question that sent him running is one the Lord still receives tenderly from anyone who brings it, and Jesus Himself is the answer the searching heart is reaching for.
Mark 10:17 in the Original Language
kleronomeo (κληρονομέω), 'inherit' -- to receive as an heir, to come into a possession given, not earned by labor.
How to Apply Mark 10:17 Today
This man''s running and kneeling give us a picture of honest hunger for God. We are invited to bring Jesus our deepest question with the same urgency, holding nothing back. And we can trust that He looks on us, as He looked on this man, with love.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mark 10:17
What does Mark 10:17 mean?
A man runs to Jesus with the deepest question of all, and Jesus meets his urgency with love.
What is the context of Mark 10:17?
Jesus has set out on the road, heading toward Jerusalem. Mark tells us in the verses that follow that this man was wealthy, and that Jesus, beholding him, loved him (verse 21). The encounter becomes one of the Gospel''s most searching conversations about wealth and the kingdom.
How can I apply Mark 10:17 today?
This man''s running and kneeling give us a picture of honest hunger for God. We are invited to bring Jesus our deepest question with the same urgency, holding nothing back. And we can trust that He looks on us, as He looked on this man, with love.