“And when he was gone forth into the way , there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”
My Notes
What Does Mark 10:17 Mean?
"And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" A man RUNS to Jesus and KNEELS — the approach is urgent and reverent. The question is the ultimate one: what must I DO to INHERIT eternal life? The verbs reveal the tension: 'do' (action, works) and 'inherit' (receive, gift) don't naturally go together. You don't DO something to INHERIT something. Inheritance is received, not earned. The question contains its own confusion.
The phrase "there came one running" (prosdramōn heis — one running toward/to) describes URGENCY: the man doesn't stroll. He RUNS. The running communicates desperation, eagerness, or the sense that the opportunity might pass. The approach is energetic and intentional. The man has a question that won't wait for a casual encounter.
The "kneeled to him" (gonypetēsas auton — having knelt before Him) adds REVERENCE to the urgency: after running, the man KNEELS. The posture is worship-level respect. The kneeling says: I recognize Your authority. The running says: I desperately need what You have. The combination — running and kneeling — is the posture of urgent reverence. Mark alone records both details.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Are you approaching Jesus with both urgency (running) and reverence (kneeling)?
- 2.What does the tension between 'doing' and 'inheriting' reveal about your approach to eternal life?
- 3.How does the man's running communicate that this question CAN'T WAIT?
- 4.What would surrendering the 'doing' framework and receiving the 'inheriting' framework change about your faith?
Devotional
He ran to Jesus. He knelt before Him. And he asked the question: what must I DO to INHERIT eternal life? The approach is urgent (running) and reverent (kneeling). The question is the most important one a person can ask. And the tension in the question reveals the confusion: you can't DO an inheritance. You RECEIVE one.
The 'running' is the urgency that says THIS MATTERS: the man doesn't send a servant. He doesn't wait for a convenient time. He RUNS — drops whatever he's doing and sprints toward Jesus. The running says: this can't wait. The question I'm carrying can't be postponed. The opportunity standing in front of me might leave. The desperation is in the speed.
The 'kneeled' is the reverence that says I KNOW WHO YOU ARE: after the running, the kneeling. The man who sprinted now drops to his knees. The posture is worship-level submission. The kneeling before a traveling teacher is unusual — you kneel before kings and God, not itinerant rabbis. The man recognizes something about Jesus that his question will try to articulate: this person has the answer to the ultimate question.
The 'what shall I do to inherit' is the question that contains its own contradiction: DOING and INHERITING are different categories. You DO work. You INHERIT gifts. The man wants to EARN what can only be RECEIVED. The question reveals the framework: the man thinks eternal life is the PRODUCT of the right action. Jesus will reveal that eternal life is the product of TOTAL surrender (verse 21 — 'sell everything and follow Me').
Are you running to Jesus with urgency — and kneeling with reverence? And is your question about doing or receiving?
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
And Jesus said unto him,.... The same as in Mat_. 19:17, See Gill on Mat 19:17.
Why callest thou me good? This is…
See this passage illustrated in the notes at Mat 19:16-30. Mar 10:17 Gone forth - From the place where he had been…
There came one running - See the case of this rich young man largely explained on Mat 19:16 (note), etc.
I. Here is a hopeful meeting between Christ and a young man; such he is said to be (Mat 19:20, Mat 19:22), and a ruler…
The Rich Young Ruler
17. when he was gone forth Literally, when He was going forth. He was just starting, it would seem,…
Cross References
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