SEV Biblia, Chapter 19:21
Le dice Jess: Si quieres ser perfecto, anda, vende lo que tienes, y dalo a los pobres, y tendrs tesoro en el cielo; y ven, sígueme.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Matthew 19:21
Verse 21. If thou wilt be perfect] teleiov einai, To be complete, to have the business finished, and all hinderances to thy salvation removed, go and sell that thou hast-go and dispose of thy possessions, to which it is evident his heart was too much attached, and give to the poor-for thy goods will be a continual snare to thee if thou keep them; and thou shalt have treasure in heaven-the loss, if it can be called such, shall be made amply up to thee in that eternal life about which thou inquirest; and come and follow me-be my disciple, and I will appoint thee to preach the kingdom of God to others. This was the usual call which Christ gave to his disciples. See chap. iv. 19; viii. 22; ix. 9; Mark ii. 14; and it is pretty evident, from this, that he intended to make him a preacher of his salvation. How many, by their attachment to filthy lucre, have lost the honour of becoming or continuing ambassadors for the Most High! See on Mark x. 21.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 21. Jesus said unto him, if thou wilt be perfect , etc.] Wanting nothing, completely righteous, according to the tenor of the covenant of works, having no evil, concupiscence, or worldly lusts: our Lord signifies it was not enough to be possessed of negative holiness, and do no hurt to his neighbour, to his person, property, and estate, but he must love him, and do him good; and therefore, though so far as he had complied with the law, it was right and commendable; wherefore it is said by Mark, that Jesus beholding him loved him; had an affectionate regard to him as man, and approved of his intentions, seriousness, and actions, so far as agreeable; yet tells him, one thing thou lackest : not but that he lacked many more, but he was only willing to observe one thing to him, as a trial of his love to his neighbour, which is the fulfilling of the law: go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven : not that either the law of God, or Gospel of Christ, require this to be done of all men, and at all times; for though it is a duty binding upon all, and always, to relieve the poor and the needy, yet a man is not obliged to give all that he has to them; (see 2 Corinthians 8:11) nor does either legal or Christian perfection lie in doing this: a man may give all his goods to the poor and yet be destitute of the grace of God, ( 1 Corinthians 13:3) much less can such an action merit the heavenly treasure of eternal life. Nevertheless of some persons, and in some cases, it has been required, that they part with all their worldly substance, for the sake of Christ and his Gospel; as the apostles were called to leave all and follow Christ, as this man was also; for it is added, and come and follow me : between these two, Mark puts, take up the cross; all which to do, was much more than to sell what he had, and give to the poor; and indeed, in this branch lies Gospel perfection, or to be really and truly a Christian: for to come to Christ, is to believe in him, lay hold on him, receive and embrace him as a Saviour and Redeemer; and to follow him, is to be obedient to his will, to be observant of his commands, to submit to his ordinances, and to imitate him in the exercise of grace, and discharge of duty; neither of which can be done, without taking up the cross; bearing reproach and persecution with patience; undergoing hardships and difficulties, of one sort or another, which attend faith in Christ, a profession of his name, and following him the Lamb, whithersoever he goes. The consequence of this now, not by way of merit, but by way of grace, is the enjoyment of the rich treasures of eternal glory: but this man was so far from complying with the latter, with coming to Christ, taking up the cross, and following him, that he could by no means agree to the former, parting with his worldly substance; and which is mentioned, as a test of his love to God and his neighbour, and to discover his sinful love of the world, and the things of it; and consequently, that he was far from being in a state of perfection. Moreover, it should be observed, that Christ is here speaking, not the pure language of the law, or according to the principles of the Gospel, when he seems to place perfection in alms deeds, and as if they were meritorious of eternal life; but according to the doctrine of the Pharisees, and which was of this man; and so upon the plan of his own notions, moves him to seek for perfection, and convicts him of the want of it, in a way he knew would be disagreeable to him; and yet he would not be able to disprove the method, on the foot of his own tenets: for this is their doctrine f1040 ; It is a tradition, he that says this sela, or shekel, is for alms, that my son may live, or I may be a son of the world to come, lo! rwmg qydx hz , this man is a perfect righteous man. The gloss adds, In this thing; and he does not say that he does not do it for the sake of it, but he fulfils the command of his Creator, who has commanded him to do alms; and he also intends profit to himself, that thereby he may be worthy of the world to come, or that his children may live.
And so in answer to a question much like this, the young man put to Christ f1041 ; How shall we come at the life of the world to come?
It is replied, take thy riches, and give to the fatherless and the poor, and I will give thee a better portion in the law.
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
εφη 5346 5713 V-IXI-3S αυτω 846 P-DSM ο 3588 T-NSM ιησους 2424 N-NSM ει 1487 COND θελεις 2309 5719 V-PAI-2S τελειος 5046 A-NSM ειναι 1511 5750 V-PXN υπαγε 5217 5720 V-PAM-2S πωλησον 4453 5657 V-AAM-2S σου 4675 P-2GS τα 3588 T-APN υπαρχοντα 5224 5723 V-PAP-APN και 2532 CONJ δος 1325 5628 V-2AAM-2S πτωχοις 4434 A-DPM και 2532 CONJ εξεις 2192 5692 V-FAI-2S θησαυρον 2344 N-ASM εν 1722 PREP ουρανω 3772 N-DSM και 2532 CONJ δευρο 1204 5773 V-XXM-2S ακολουθει 190 5720 V-PAM-2S μοι 3427 P-1DS
Robertson's NT Word Studies
19:21 {If thou wouldest be perfect} (ei qeleis teleios einai). Condition of the first class, determined as fulfilled. Jesus assumes that the young man really desires to be perfect (a big adjective that, perfect as God is the goal, #5:48). {That thou hast} (sou ta huparconta). "Thy belongings." The Greek neuter plural participle used like our English word "belongings." It was a huge demand, for he was rich.
