So that it cannot be taken up again?
The Bible records many types of communications: narrative history, genealogies, chronicles, laws, poetry, proverbs, prophetic oracles, riddles, drama, biographical sketches, parables, letters, sermons and apocalypses. The Bible was written over approximately 1,500 years by approximately 40 different authors.
To rightly interpret a Scripture passage, one must determine the original intended meaning and purpose when the words were written or uttered. One cannot begin with the here and now using current word definitions. What was the context of the passage? Where was it said—Old or New Covenant? When was it said? To and by whom was it said? Why?
Are the intent and purpose of a scriptural narrative to illustrate a particular situation—or to establish a universal precedent? Is it descriptive or prescriptive? Was it a narrative, a particular test or a universal command?
Some commands recorded in the Bible were directed to particular people and were intended solely for them. For instance, when Paul told Timothy to bring his cloak to Troas (2 Tim 4:13), it was a particular command intended for Timothy only—not for all Christians universally. Paul was not setting a precedent for Christian behavior. To rightly interpret the Scripture, the reader must take care to distinguish particular from universal, descriptive from prescriptive.
Does the Bible/Jesus state that one must sell all so that it cannot be taken up again as a pre-requisite to a minister receiving authority from God to preach the gospel?
A. The Twelve Apostles. Some, including William Irvine, have interpreted Jesus’ instructions in Matthew 10:1-11:1 to the twelve disciples/Apostles for their first solo missions, going two by two, to be universal requirements for all ministers for all time. Contrary to what many believe, the twelve Apostles’ missions only lasted from about 6 weeks to 4 months, ending when they returned to Jesus; and the 70 returned in Luke 10:17. Since they would only be gone for a short time, they were told to go at once, go just as they were with the clothes on their back, and not to bother about food, weapons, money, etc.; to leave provisions behind and just trust God for their necessities (Matt 10:1-11:1; Mark 6:7-12; Luke 9:1-6).
This was the only recorded time the twelve were out preaching on their own during Jesus’ lifetime. Jesus retracted those orders with his But now… instructions in Luke 22:35-38. Obviously, Jesus’ instructions were temporary for the 12/70 disciples to leave behind basic necessities while they traveled to herald the arrival of Jesus as Messiah/Christ. They were particular instructions to these particular men for a particular mission/purpose. He didn’t tell them to sell their possessions and give the money to the poor—they just left everything all at once, temporarily. William Irvine misinterpreted and misapplied Jesus’ Matthew 10 instructions to particular men as though they were universal. That was not Jesus’ intent. The workers don’t follow these instructions—they take with them far more possessions than the disciples did on their missions.
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B. Rich Young Ruler. Some have interpreted the conditions Jesus gave to the rich young ruler to be applicable to all preachers for all time until Jesus returns again (Matt 19:16-24; Mark 10:17-25; Luke 18:18-25).
Matthew 19:16-22 NKJV. 16 Now behold, one [a certain ruler in Luke] came and said to Him, ‘Good Teacher [Master in KJV], what good thing [“good thing” only in Matt] shall I do that I may have [inherit in Mark] eternal life?
17 So He [Jesus] said to him, ‘Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.’
18 He [the rich young ruler] said to Him, ‘Which ones?’
Jesus said, ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ [only Matthew includes this last command]
20 The young man said to Him, ‘All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?’ 21 Jesus said to him [Jesus beholding him loved him in Mark], If YOU want to be perfect, [ONE THING you lack in Mark, Luke] go, sell what YOU have and give to the poor, and YOU will have treasure in heaven; and come, [take up the cross only in Mark] and follow Me.
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions [was very rich in Luke].
Traditionally, there are 613 commandments in the Old Testament, commonly referred to as the Law of Moses, that cover ceremonial, judicial and moral laws.This total includes 248 positive (thou shalt) commandments and 365 negative (thou shalt not) commandments. The Ten Commandments (known as the Moral Laws) are part of this set of 613 laws and remain relevant for Christians today.
So, it’s not surprising that the man asked for clarification: Which commandments? Jesus recited six of the Ten Commandments plus (in Matthew only) the second Greatest Commandment in the New Testament: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself (Matt 19:19, 22:39; Mark 12:31).He omitted the first four of the Ten Commandments that govern relationship with God.
Scripture doesn’t record what kind of ruler this young man was. Since no Roman ruler would address Jesus as teacher or master, possibly this man was a ruler in a Jewish synagogue. These rulers were high-ranking leaders responsible for managing the physical, administrative, and spiritual activities of the local Jewish synagogue. They organized worship services, maintained order, ensured adherence to religious laws, and were held in high esteem, such as Jairus in Mark 5:22.
Jesus doesn’t reveal the specific role the man would fill on earth IF he obeyed the conditions he set out—whether the role of a preaching disciple or as one among many believers/laity. Notice the ruler wasn’t asking how he could become one of Jesus’ preaching disciples. He asked what good thing he could do to inherit eternal life (obtain salvation).
Jesus replied with some “IF-AND (then)” provisions. If YOU want to enter into life andIf YOU will be perfect (Matt 19:17, 21), then go take certain actions, and then YOU shall have treasure in heaven. Hearing this exchange, the disciples responded, Who then can be saved? They understood Jesus to be specifically addressing the man’s salvation, his eternal destiny—not instructing him how to become a preaching disciple like them.
Jesus read the man’s heart and could see that his first love was his material wealth/possessions—the very place and the priority that God/Jesus demands for Himself. The first of the Ten Commandments is: You shall have no other gods before me. Jesus said the Greatest Commandment is: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.
Jesus answered the ruler’s question with a test that gave the conditions necessary for THIS man to be perfect. (The Greek word perfect in Matthew 19:21 is defined in Strongs #5046 as: complete with the idea of goodness).
Jesus pointed out the ONE THING hindering him. He trusted in his riches. The conditions Jesus set out for the ruler would cost him financially (his security) and his leadership (his power). His sorrowful refusal proved he valued or idolized his earthly security (wealth/possessions) more than his eternal security (treasure in heaven).
Jesus’ challenge to the rich young ruler was designed to show his spiritual bankruptcy. His conditions were unique for this particular man in his particular situation. One must leap to conclude that these conditions were intended to apply universally for all who desire to be ministers. That would be similar to the excessive following of the law by the Pharisees. Even though the Pharisees were not priests, they not only obeyed God’s laws for the Israelites—they also followed the rules for the Levitical priests which were not intended for them, and went so far as to impose some on others, laying needless heavy burdens on them.
Where in Scripture does Jesus indicate he intended the condition to sell all and give to the poor to be literally, universally followed by every believer or minister thereafter. It’s eisegetical thinking to assume this rich young ruler narrative was intended to set a universal precedent. Eisegesis is reading one’s method/beliefs INTO Biblical narratives (eisegesis) instead of reading OUT of Scripture the history or illustration for which it was intended (exegesis). An example is calling Phoebe a sister worker. No scripture confirms the conditions Jesus gave this particular man were following or setting a precedent.
The universal requirement for ALL believers is to trust and believe in Christ alone—not in earthly securities and to follow HIM—not man. Jesus demands total and complete commitment and trust—only those who make such a radical commitment can be Jesus’ disciples/believers.
Take up the cross. Jesus looked on the young man and loved him, and said unto him…come, take up the cross, and follow me. [Only mentioned in Mark 10:21]. He did NOT say, After you do that, then come follow me and be one of my disciples. What would be involved to take up the cross and to come follow me? Jesus explains it more fully in other places.
Addressing the necessity of giving up ALL in a lifelong commitment to Him, Jesus told the disciples and a large crowd: Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? (Mark 8:34-36 NKJV; Matthew 16:24; Luke 9:23)
Jesus must be pre-eminent in the heart of his followers. To his disciples, he declared, He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. (Matthew 10:37-38 NKJV)
Jesus used hyperbolic language when he spoke of hating one’s relatives to illustrate that no one or thing can take precedence over Him. To a multitude in Perea, he declared: ‘If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple…. 33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple. (Luke 14:25-33 NKJV).
Hate. In Luke 14:26, the Greek word hate, (miseo), is defined as Strongs #3404: to love less than; showing preference for one over another. Examples in the Old Testament are: Jacob loved Rachel and hated Leah, i.e. loved her less (Gen 29:31). See also love/hate in Deut 21:15-17.
Forsake. In Luke 14:33, the Greek word forsake (apotassomai) is defined as Strongs #657: to renounce, bid farewell, take leave, send away, depart from. There are the two different Greek word meanings translated as the same English word for forsake—see paragraph C.
Follow me. Jesus gave different instructions for following Him to different people. However, the transcending principle was the same. Forsaking/leaving all is a command all Christians must agree to. Forsaking all/denying self is to make Jesus our first love, putting Him above everything else in our lives and trusting him in all areas. Anything we hold dear can come between us and Jesus. (Matt 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23; parallel verses). For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matt 6:21, Luke 12:34).
Who then can be saved? The disciples were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? (Matt 19:25; Mark 10:26; Luke 18:26). The answer is John 3:16, For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Jesus did not intend for the act of selling all and distributing to the poor to be a pre-requisite before someone could become a minister. The universal requirement for salvation for all believers and ministers is: 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation…13 For ‘whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved’ (Romans 10:9-13 NKJV).
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C. We have left all. Some assume that Peter’s question to Jesus implied that the disciples had left/forsaken all their possessions permanently, thereby setting a precedent for future ministers to follow: Then Peter answered and said to Him, ‘See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore, what shall we have?’(Matt 19:27). The Greek word aphiemi is translated as forsaken in Matt 19:27, 29, and in parallel gospel passages as left (Mark 10:28-29 and Luke 18:28-29); defined in Strongs #863: to forsake, lay aside, leave, let go, put away, remit yield up. (Not to sell/discard all)
The Bible contains no record of the disciples selling all nor giving the proceeds to the needy. (Peter and other disciples returned to fishing and John took Mary to his home). When Jesus initially invited them to follow me, they suddenly left behind whatever possessions they had, along with their families and occupational equipment. Even though they retained these items, they did not come between the disciples and their first love and devotion to Jesus.
There are many narratives in the Bible that simply set the scenes, provide cultural background, insight, inform, teach lessons, etc. Every narrative is not intended to set a precedent for future Christians or ministers. Some narratives contain particular instructions or practices for particular people at a particular time in particular situations, such as the rich young ruler incident. Some narratives were never intended to become universal commands for all future ministers for all time. Some examples of universal commands arethe ordinances of baptism and communion; John 3:15-16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10:9.
Rightly dividing the word of truth. A single mention in a narrative is not a good reason to insist that an instruction or practice should be a universal, mandatory rule/procedure for all Christians or ministers for all time. Jesus did not instruct/command that everyone or ministers wanting to inherit eternal life (obtain salvation) must divest themselves of all their worldly possessions and give them to the poor.
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D. Sell what you have. Some interpret Luke 12:33 as a pre-requisite for workers to enter the work:Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys.
Notice that Jesus was speaking to an unnumerable multitude of people (Luke 12:1) and the little flock (Luke 12:32) —NOT just to the disciples, as Peter confirmed in Luke 12:41, Then Peter said to Him, ‘Lord, do You speak this parable only to us, or to all people?’
This concept is stated more clearly in Matthew 6:19-20: Do NOT lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; BUT lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. The negative clause Do not lay up was NOT meant to FORBID—it was used to emphasize the second clause, BUT lay up…, making it evident this was preferable.
It would seem that Jesus’ phrase sell…and give alms was meant to be taken figuratively and not literally, since it is not possible to take the rest of the sentence literally, i.e. to provide incorruptible bags that never aged.
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The only places in the New Testament where selling all and giving to the needy are mentioned are the rich young ruler (Matt 19:16-24; Mark 10:17-25; Luke 18:18-25), and this passage in Luke 12:33. Jesus did not instruct the Apostles to do so in his Matthew 10 instructions. Later after the Apostles returned from their solo missions, Jesus gave them his But now…instructions for the Apostles to take back what they left behind earlier (Luke 22:35-38).
To use this text to insist that all ministers today must sell all their possessions so that they cannot be taken up again and give the proceeds to charity is to take it out of context and does not rightly interpret or apply it. It’s not commanded or required in Scripture.
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15)
Compiled by Cherie Kropp & Chester Ehrig
March 27, 2026