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Matthew 19:20

Made Simple — Modern English Translation

Translated by Verse Made Simple Editorial
KJV ORIGINAL
The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE

The young guy says to him, 'I've been following all these rules since I was little. What am I still missing?'

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

Sometimes doing everything 'right' still leaves you feeling like something's missing.

📚 Historical Context

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is approached by a rich young man seeking guidance on how to inherit eternal life, during a time when Jewish society emphasized strict adherence to the Mosaic Law as a path to righteousness. Jesus had just recited several commandments, and the young man claimed he had kept them all since his youth, revealing his confidence in his own moral efforts. This interaction highlights the cultural tension between external obedience and the deeper demands of faith in first-century Judaism.

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