Clarke's Bible Commentary - Matthew 19:16
Verse 16. One came] Instead of eiv one, several MSS., the Slavonic version, and Hilary, read neaniskov tiv, a certain young man. Good, &c.] Much instruction may be had from seriously attending to the conduct, spirit, and question of this person.
1. He came running, (Mark x. 17,) for he was deeply convinced of the importance of his business, and seriously determined to seek so as to find.
2. He kneeled, or caught him by the knees, thus evidencing his humility, and addressing himself only to mercy. See Matthew xvii. 14.
3. He came in the spirit of a disciple, or scholar, desiring to be taught a matter of the utmost importance to him-Good teacher.
4. He came in the spirit of obedience; he had worked hard to no purpose, and he is still willing to work, provided he can have a prospect of succeeding-What good thing shall I do? 5. His question was the most interesting and important that any soul can ask of God-How shall I be saved?
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 16. And behold, one came , etc.] The Persic version reads, a rich man; and so he was, as appears from what follows: Luke calls him, a certain ruler; not of a synagogue, an ecclesiastical ruler, but a civil magistrate: perhaps he might be one of the sanhedrim, which consisted of twenty one persons; or of that which consisted only of three, as in some small towns and villages Mark represents him as running; for Christ was departed out of the house, and was gone into the way, the high road, and was on his journey to some other place, when this man ran after him with great eagerness; and, as the same evangelist adds, kneeled to him; thereby paying him civil respect, and honour; believing him to be a worthy good man, and deserving of esteem and veneration: and said unto him, good master : some say, that this was a title which the Jewish doctors were fond of, and gave to each other, but I have not observed it; he seems by this to intimate, that he thought him not only to be a good man, but a good teacher; that he was one that came from God, and taught good doctrine, which induced him to run after him, and put the following question to him: what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life ? Or, as in the other evangelists, inherit eternal life; a phrase much in use with the Jewish Rabbins f1036 : Judah confessed, and was not ashamed, and what is his end? abh lw[h yyj ljn , he inherits the life of the world to come (i.e. eternal life); Reuben confessed, and was not ashamed, and what is his end? he inherits the life of the world to come.
This man was no Sadducee, he believed a future state; was a serious man, thoughtful about another world, and concerned how he should enjoy everlasting life; but was entirely upon a legal bottom, and under a covenant of works; and speaks in the language and strain of the nation of Israel, who were seeking for righteousness and life by the works of the law: he expected eternal life by doing some good thing, or things; and hoped, as the sequel shows, that he had done every good thing necessary to the obtaining it.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 16-22 - Christ knew that covetousness was the sin which most easily beset thi young man; though he had got honestly what he possessed, yet he coul not cheerfully part with it, and by this his want of sincerity wa shown. Christ's promises make his precepts easy, and his yoke pleasan and very comfortable; yet this promise was as much a trial of the youn man's faith, as the precept was of his charity and contempt of the world. It is required of us in following Christ, that we duly atten his ordinances, strictly follow his pattern, and cheerfully submit to his disposals; and this from love to him, and in dependence on him. To sell all, and give to the poor, will not serve, but we are to follo Christ. The gospel is the only remedy for lost sinners. Many abstai from gross vices who do not attend to their obligations to God Thousands of instances of disobedience in thought, word, and deed, ar marked against them in the book of God. Thus numbers forsake Christ loving this present world: they feel convictions and desires, but the depart sorrowful, perhaps trembling. It behoves us to try ourselves i these matters, for the Lord will try us.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ ιδου 2400 5628 V-2AAM-2S εις 1520 A-NSM προσελθων 4334 5631 V-2AAP-NSM ειπεν 2036 5627 V-2AAI-3S αυτω 846 P-DSM διδασκαλε 1320 N-VSM αγαθε 18 A-VSM τι 5101 I-ASN αγαθον 18 A-ASN ποιησω 4160 5661 V-AAS-1S ινα 2443 CONJ εχω 2192 5725 V-PAS-1S ζωην 2222 N-ASF αιωνιον 166 A-ASF
Robertson's NT Word Studies
19:16 {What good thing} (ti agaqon). Mark (#Mr 10:17) has the adjective "good" with "Teacher." {May have} (scw). Ingressive aorist subjunctive, "may get,"may acquire."
