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Matthew 19:21

Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

KJV

ἔφη αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς, εἰ θέλεις τέλειος εἶναι, ὕπαγε πώλησόν σου τὰ ὑπάρχοντα καὶ δὸς πτωχοῖς, καὶ ἕξεις θησαυρὸν ἐν οὐρανοῖς, καὶ δεῦρο ἀκολούθει μοι.

Greek NT

Ait illi Jesus : Si vis perfectus esse, vade, vende quæ habes, et da pauperibus, et habebis thesaurum in cælo : et veni, sequere me.

Vulgate

Jesus said unto him, If thou wouldest be perfect, go, sell that which thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

ASV

Jesus saith to him: If thou wilt be perfect, go sell what thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

Douay-Rheims

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In this verse

People Jesus

In the original Greek

22 distinct Greek words appear in this verse.

αὐτός
autos
pronoun · 5564×
δίδωμι
didomi
verb · 414×
δεῦρο
deuro
verb · 9×
εἰ
ei
conditional · 491×
εἰμί
eimi
verb · 2461×
θέλω
thelo
verb · 208×
θησαυρός
thesauros
noun · 17×
καί
kai
conjunction · 8973×
οὐρανός
ouranos
noun · 274×
πτωχός
ptochos
adjective · 34×
πωλέω
poleo
verb · 22×
σύ
su
pronoun · 1071×
τέλειος
teleios
adjective · 19×
φημί
phemi
verb · 68×
ἀκολουθέω
akoloutheo
verb · 91×
ἐγώ
ego
pronoun · 1720×
ἐν
en
preposition · 2743×
ἔχω
echo
verb · 707×
Ἰησοῦς
iesous
noun · 908×
o
article · 19778×
ὑπάγω
upago
verb · 81×
ὑπάρχω
uparcho
verb · 60×

Textual variants

2 variant units attested by manuscript witnesses and modern critical editions.

notable
SBLGNT: δὸς | RP: δὸς | WH/Treg/NIV: + τοῖς
  • δὸςSBLGNT
  • δὸςRobinson-Pierpont
  • + τοῖςWestcott-Hort, Tregelles, Reader's GNT (NA27)
source: sblgnt-apparatus
minor
SBLGNT: οὐρανοῖς | WH/Treg/NIV: οὐρανοῖς | RP: οὐρανῷ
  • οὐρανοῖςSBLGNT
  • οὐρανοῖςWestcott-Hort, Tregelles, Reader's GNT (NA27)
  • οὐρανῷRobinson-Pierpont
source: sblgnt-apparatus

Themes

Historic Christian voices

14 passages from patristic writers, Reformers, and church catechisms citing this verse.

§2053To this first reply Jesus adds a second: "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."2 This reply does not do away with the first: following Jesus Christ involves keeping the Commandments. the Law has not been abolished,3 but rather man is invited to rediscover it in the person of his Maste…
Christ did not abrogate the natural precepts of the law, but rather fulfilled and extended them. He removed the yoke and bondage of the old law, so that mankind, being now set free, might serve God with that trustful piety which becomes sons. 1. And that the Lord did not abrogate the natural [precepts] of the law, by which man is justified, which also those who were justified b…
Homilies on Matthew · 3 passages
2. But what is, Judging the twelve tribes of Israel? This is, condemning them. For they are not surely to sit as judges, but like as He said the Queen of the South should condemn that generation, and the Ninevites shall condemn them; so now these also. Therefore He said not, the nations, and the world, but the tribes of Israel. For since both the Jews alike and the apostles had…
2. Yet none of these things made them take courage, and this when they were continually hearing about His resurrection. For together with His death this also especially troubled them, to hear that men should mock and scourge Him, and the like. For when they considered His miracles, the possessed persons whom He had delivered, the dead whom He had raised, all the other marvellou…
2. And what mean also the napkins that were stuck on with the myrrh; for Peter saw these lying. For if they had been disposed to steal, they would not have stolen the body naked, not because of dishonoring it only, but in order not to delay and lose time in stripping it, and not to give them that were so disposed opportunity to awake and seize them. Especially when it was myrrh…
1. Beloved, we need great diligence in all things, for we shall render account of and undergo a strict enquiry both of words and works. Our interests stop not with what now is, but a certain other condition of life shall receive us after this, and we shall be brought before a fearful tribunal. For we must appear before the Judgment-seat of Christ, that every one may receive the…
2. And God has set some in the Church: first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, various kinds of tongues. Thus what I spoke of before, this also he now does. Because they thought highly of themselves in respect of the tongues he sets it last every where. For the terms, first and secondly, are not used by him…
2. Now then after that in every way he had shown her to be very exceedingly great, again he does so from another most important head, by a fresh comparison exalting her dignity, and saying thus; but whether there be prophecies, they shall be done away; whether there be tongues, they shall cease. For if both these were brought in in order to the faith; when that is every where s…
1. In what has gone before he had shown that the sacrifices were unavailing for perfect purification, and were a type, and greatly defective. Since then there was this objection to his argument, If they are types, how is it that, after the truth has come, they have not ceased, nor given place, but are still performed? He here accordingly labors at this very point, showing that …
1. In another place he says the same, for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal 2 Corinthians 4:18; and from this makes an exhortation with regard to the evils which we endure in this present life; and here he does this, and says, let us continue steadfast; let us have thankfulness, i.e., let us give thanks unto God. For not only …
2. After the death of his father and mother he was left alone with one little sister: his age was about eighteen or twenty, and on him the care both of home and sister rested. Now it was not six months after the death of his parents, and going according to custom into the Lord's House, he communed with himself and reflected as he walked how the Apostles Matthew 4:20 left all an…
He finally describes the thirty-second year of his age, the most memorable of his whole life, in which, being instructed by Simplicianus concerning the conversion of others, and the manner of acting, he is, after a severe struggle, renewed in his whole mind, and is converted unto God. Chapter 1. He, Now Given to Divine Things, and Yet Entangled by the Lusts of Love, Consults Si…
Does perfection bear any relation to charity? Can one be perfect in this life? Does the perfection of this life consist chiefly in observing the counsels or the commandments? Is whoever is perfect in the state of perfection? Are prelates and religious especially in the state of perfection? Are all prelates in the state of perfection? Which is the more perfect, the episcopal or …

Cross-references

  • 1Tim 6:17 — Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
  • 1Tim 6:19 — Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
  • Acts 2:45 — And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
  • Acts 2:45 — And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
  • Acts 4:32 — And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
  • Acts 4:34 — Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
  • Heb 10:34 — For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
  • John 10:27 — My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
  • John 12:26 — If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
  • Luke 5:27 — And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me.
  • Luke 6:40 — The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.
  • Luke 9:23 — And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
  • Luke 12:33 — Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
  • Luke 12:33 — Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
  • Luke 14:33 — So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
  • Luke 16:9 — And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.
  • Luke 16:9 — And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.
  • Luke 18:22 — Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
  • Luke 18:22 — Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
  • Mark 2:14 — And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.
  • Mark 8:34 — And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
  • Mark 10:21 — Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up th
  • Mark 10:21 — Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up th
  • Matt 4:19 — And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
  • Matt 5:48 — Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
  • Matt 6:19 — Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
  • Matt 6:19 — Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
  • Matt 6:20 — But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
  • Matt 8:22 — But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
  • Matt 9:9 — And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
  • Matt 13:44 — Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
  • Matt 16:24 — Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
  • Matt 19:28 — And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, ju
  • Phil 3:12 — Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
  • Phil 3:20 — For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
  • Prov 2:4 — If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
  • Prov 24:14 — So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.