Matthew 19:20 Meaning and Explanation
“The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The young man claims to have kept all these commandments and asks what he still lacks.
What Does Matthew 19:20 Mean?
The young man answers with confidence: he has kept all these commandments from his youth. Yet his very next words betray a restlessness, "what lack I yet?" Despite his careful obedience, he senses something missing, a hunger his record of conduct has not satisfied. He has come to Jesus precisely because the law alone has left him unfilled.
His honesty is touching. He is not boasting so much as searching; he knows there is more and longs to find it. The question reveals that outward keeping of commands, however sincere, cannot by itself quiet the soul's deepest need. Jesus will answer the longing he scarcely understands. The verse speaks to everyone who has done what is right yet still feels the ache of a heart not wholly given to God.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 19:20
What does Matthew 19:20 mean?
The young man claims to have kept all these commandments and asks what he still lacks.