The command by Jesus to the rich ruler to sell his possessions and give to the poor creates a dilemma for interpreters. Why is this individual told to divest himself of everything he has and give it all away when others are not told to do the same? How do we reconcile this command with Jesus’ other teaching concerning the poor and the existence of wealthy Christians in the early churches? In this paper, Dr Mark Keown will note existing solutions to this dilemma. He will then propose a solution that he has not come across in the literature considering this question. The solution will readjust what we think Jesus wanted from the rich ruler and bring his injunctions into line with Jesus’ other teaching on wealth.

About the Speaker

Mark Keown is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Theology, specialising in New Testament studies. He joined the Laidlaw staff in 2005 after completing his ThD, looking at a mandate for evangelism in the Pauline Epistles. He has recently published The New Testament: A Taster. (Auckland: Morphe Publishers, 2020) and Galatians: A Commentary for Students. (Auckland: Morphe Publishers, 2020).