What Commandment Did He Lack?
Introduction
The question “What commandment did he lack?” comes from the well-known encounter between Jesus and the rich young ruler, recorded in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. This story is one of the most powerful teachings of Jesus because it reveals that outward obedience to God’s commandments is not enough without inner surrender.
The young man believed he had kept all the commandments, yet he still felt something was missing in his spiritual life. Jesus’ response showed that his problem was not a single missing commandment from the Ten Commandments but a deeper issue of the heart—his attachment to wealth.
This article explains in detail what commandment he lacked, what Jesus meant, and what lessons believers can learn today.
The Story of the Rich Young Ruler
The encounter is recorded in the Gospels (Matthew 19:16–22, Mark 10:17–22, Luke 18:18–23). A young, wealthy ruler approached Jesus and asked:
“Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Jesus first reminded him of the commandments:
- Do not murder
- Do not commit adultery
- Do not steal
- Do not bear false witness
- Honor your father and mother
- Love your neighbor as yourself
The young man confidently replied that he had kept all these commandments since his youth. However, he still felt spiritually incomplete.
Then Jesus gave him a challenging instruction:
“Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor… then come, follow me.”
This response reveals the deeper meaning of the question: What commandment did he lack?
Did He Lack a Specific Commandment?
Technically, the young man did not lack one of the Ten Commandments. Instead, he lacked complete obedience and surrender to God.
Jesus was not pointing to a missing rule; He was exposing a missing relationship.
The key issue was not external behavior but internal loyalty.
The true problem was:
- His wealth had become his security
- His possessions had become his priority
- His heart was divided between God and material things
So, the “missing commandment” was not a new law—it was the failure to fully live out the greatest commandment.
The Commandment He Lacked: Love for God Above All
When Jesus addressed the issue, He was pointing to the greatest commandment:
- Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind
The young ruler obeyed many religious rules but failed in total devotion.
What he lacked spiritually:
- Full love for God above wealth
- Willingness to surrender everything
- Trust in God over material security
- A heart free from idolatry
In biblical understanding, anything that takes God’s place in the heart becomes an idol. For this man, wealth had become that idol.
Why Jesus Asked Him to Sell Everything
The instruction to sell all possessions was not a universal command for every believer. Instead, it was a personal test designed for his specific weakness.
Jesus’ purpose was to reveal what controlled his heart.
Key lessons from this command:
- True discipleship requires surrender
- Eternal life cannot be earned by works alone
- Following Jesus means removing idols
- Faith requires trust beyond material security
The man claimed to keep the commandments, but when tested, he could not let go of his wealth.
The Commandment of Love: The Missing Fulfillment
The entire Law of God can be summarized in two major commandments:
- Love God with all your heart
- Love your neighbor as yourself
The rich young ruler failed in the first one because he could not place God above his possessions.
He also struggled with the second one because Jesus told him to give to the poor, but he was unwilling to do so.
Thus, what he “lacked” was not knowledge, but love expressed through obedience.
Why This Story Matters Today
The message of this encounter is still deeply relevant. Many people today may also feel spiritually “good” because they follow religious practices, but still lack full surrender.
Modern lessons include:
- You can be morally good but spiritually incomplete
- Wealth and success can become spiritual barriers
- Following God requires total trust
- True faith is revealed through willingness to let go
Jesus was showing that eternal life is not about partial obedience but complete devotion.
The Outcome of the Story
The Bible says the young man went away sad because he had great wealth.
This is a powerful ending because it shows:
- He recognized the truth
- But he could not accept the cost
- His possessions were more important than discipleship
This sadness reflects the internal conflict of a heart that knows truth but is unwilling to fully obey.
Key Spiritual Insight
The question “What commandment did he lack?” can be answered clearly:
He lacked complete love for God expressed through surrender and trust.
Not a missing rule—but a missing relationship.
Conclusion
The story of the rich young ruler teaches that obedience to commandments is not just about external actions but about the heart’s deepest priorities. Jesus revealed that the man’s real issue was not law-keeping but love and attachment.
He did not lack a specific commandment from the Ten Commandments. Instead, he lacked the full meaning of the greatest commandment: to love God above everything else.
This passage challenges every believer to examine their own heart and ask: What is holding me back from fully following God?
