Big Idea: This section is about choices and the effects emanating from them. The wealthy man chooses his possessions and therefore will be “last” in God’s kingdom. Those disciples who choose to “leave everything” will be made first, blessed now and vindicated for all eternity.
Understanding the Text
Wives and children (10:1–16) had very little social status, and Jesus elevated their place in God’s new community. Now he turns to rich and poor. The rich man, though with high moral standards, chooses the earthly over the heavenly, and once more we see that money and possessions are barriers to kingdom values. In the movement toward the cross that characterizes 8:34–10:52, this continues the theme that discipleship means joining Jesus as servant of all.
Interpretive Insights
10:17 a man r…