The story of the rich young man as told in Mark 10:17–22 is connected to the next section (Mark 10:23–31): Jesus links the meeting with the rich person, who cannot decide to follow him because of his wealth, to the dangers of riches (Mark 10:23–27) and the blessing of following (Mark 10:28–31).1
17 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”