Matthew 19:22 Meaning and Explanation
“But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The young man leaves in sorrow because he is unwilling to part with his great wealth.
What Does Matthew 19:22 Mean?
The young man hears Jesus' call and turns away, grieved. The reason is given plainly: "he had great possessions." The very wealth that seemed a blessing becomes the thing he cannot release. He came seeking eternal life, yet at the decisive moment his heart was held by what he owned, and he departed in sorrow.
His sorrow is poignant, for he was so near. He longed for life and stood before the One who gives it, but could not loosen his grip on lesser treasure. The verse is a quiet warning that good things can become idols when they sit on the throne of the heart. It is also an invitation to honesty: to ask what we, too, would find hardest to surrender, and to entrust even that to Christ.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 19:22
What does Matthew 19:22 mean?
The young man leaves in sorrow because he is unwilling to part with his great wealth.