Abstract
In terms of genre, the story of the rich young man is regarded as the story of a failed vocation. The focus of the story is, therefore, on the immediate, total and final renunciation of wealth, which becomes the condition for following Jesus and thus for participating in eternal life, not only in this specific case but also in general. This approach leads to an unresolved tension in the explanation. A review of the history of interpretation shows that Jesus' statement is intolerable to people of any age. It is, therefore, more appropriate to regard the text as a teaching discourse (Lehrgespräch). In this case, the story of the rich man is an isolated case of man's inability to pay the price that the divine will demands of him for eternal life. In the teaching of the disciples (Jüngerbelehrung), Jesus explains that this way is closed to man: it is impossible to be saved by one's own effort, but all things are possible for God. In light of this, we must separate the harsh command to the young man from the idea of discipleship. An immediate, total and final renunciation of wealth is not necessary for following Jesus. It is a necessary condition for the acquisition of heavenly treasures. But if the young man has renounced everything, then in principle, the opportunity to follow Jesus is open to him. The story of the rich young man does not set an unattainable requirement for the condition of discipleship. The last passage of the pericope shows that eternal life can only be attained by following Jesus, and Jesus demands no more than that this following be possible in the situation of life.
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