Matthew 19:20 Meaning: 'What Do I Still Lack?'

Two Greek words carry the weight here. The young man says he has kept the commandments (ephulaxa, from phulassō). This word means to guard, watch over, keep safe from outside harm, like a soldier standing watch. It speaks of external care, not internal transformation. By contrast, Jesus had told him to keep the commandments using a different word (tēreō), which suggests obeying with the whole heart. Commentators note the young man may have kept the letter of the law but missed its spirit.

Then comes the question: What do I lack? The Greek verb husterō means to fall short, to be left behind in a race and fail to reach the goal. The young man senses he is still short of the finish line. He has done everything he can think of, and yet the gap remains. That honest question opens the door for Jesus to name the one thing his heart still clings to.

Christians across traditions have read this verse with sober honesty. Wesley notes that the young man kept the commandments outwardly but not in spirit. Matthew Henry observes he was someone who bid fair for heaven yet came up short. Gill (Baptist) says he did not understand the internal sense and spiritual reach of the Law, so he thought he had kept it. Anglican commentators point out that like Paul, he was blameless according to the letter but still lacking. Methodists, Reformers, and Baptists all agree: the young man's sincerity was real, but his understanding of what God requires went deeper than behavior. None of these traditions suggests his question was dishonest; they see it as the honest cry of a soul that knows it is not yet whole.

Some assume the rich young ruler was a hypocrite who knowingly broke the commandments and just appeared righteous. In fact, the Gospel writers portray him as sincere. He had genuinely tried to follow God since childhood. His mistake was not deceit but a shallow understanding of the Law's demands. He thought external obedience was enough, so he did not see how his possessions held his heart. His question reveals a man who is trying hard, yet knows something is still not right.

The question you may be afraid to ask: What do I still lack? This week, take time to sit with that question honestly. Where in your life do you feel a gap between doing the right things and actually feeling close to God? Maybe it's in your work, your relationships, or the way you handle money. Don't rush to an answer. Bring it to Jesus the way the young man did, not pretending you have it all together, but admitting you sense something missing. He sees the one thing you are holding back, and he is not asking you to let go so you can earn his love. He is asking because he wants to give you something better.