KJV ORIGINAL
But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
When the young guy heard Jesus say that, he walked away feeling crushed, because he was really, really wealthy.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
Sometimes what we own ends up owning us instead.
📚 Historical Context
In the first-century Jewish culture, wealth was often seen as a sign of God's favor, which made the rich young man's internal conflict especially relatable to his society. This verse occurs during Jesus' ministry in Judea, where He was teaching about the demands of following God and the dangers of materialism, as seen in His conversation with a wealthy ruler who inquired about eternal life. Jesus' challenge to sell possessions and follow Him exposed the young man's greater loyalty to his riches.
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