Luke 18:20 – “You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’”
Extended Explanation
In this verse, Jesus responds to the rich young ruler’s question about how to inherit eternal life by pointing him to the commandments. Jesus lists several of the Ten Commandments, specifically those related to moral behavior and how people treat one another. By mentioning these commands, Jesus is not implying that salvation can be earned through perfect obedience to the law. Instead, He is guiding the man toward a deeper understanding of his need for something more than external obedience—he needs a heart change.
The man likely expected this response and believed he had kept these commandments perfectly. But Jesus is setting him up for a more profound lesson. While outward obedience is important, true righteousness goes beyond following rules. Jesus will later expose the man’s attachment to wealth, revealing that his heart was not fully surrendered to God.
Historical Context
In Jewish society, the law of Moses was the foundation of religious and moral life. The Ten Commandments, given to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 20), were central to Jewish teaching and practice. Jews believed that obedience to the law was a key part of maintaining a right relationship with God. The rich young ruler would have been taught from a young age to follow these commandments, and he likely believed that his moral behavior demonstrated his goodness.
However, by the time of Jesus’ ministry, many religious leaders had reduced obedience to the law to external actions, often neglecting the deeper spiritual issues of the heart. Jesus frequently challenged this view, teaching that true obedience involves not just actions but the condition of the heart (Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28).
Theological Implications
This verse highlights the limitations of the law when it comes to salvation. While the law reveals God’s moral standards, it also exposes human sinfulness. No one can perfectly keep the law, and therefore, no one can be saved by their own efforts (Romans 3:20). Jesus’ reference to the commandments is meant to show the rich young ruler that obedience alone is not enough—he needs God’s grace.
Theologically, this passage points to the fact that the law was designed to lead people to recognize their need for a Savior (Galatians 3:24). The rich young ruler thought he could achieve eternal life by being good, but Jesus is about to show him that good deeds are not enough. True salvation requires surrendering everything to God and trusting in His mercy.
Literary Analysis
Jesus’ response is direct but intentional. By listing specific commandments, He is drawing the man’s attention to external moral behavior, knowing that the man will claim to have kept them. This sets the stage for the next part of the conversation, where Jesus will expose the man’s deeper issue—his love for wealth.
The order of the commandments is significant. Jesus focuses on the “second table” of the Ten Commandments, which deal with human relationships, rather than the “first table,” which deals with one’s relationship with God. This shift highlights the fact that while the man may have appeared morally upright in his dealings with others, his relationship with God was lacking.
Biblical Cross-References
- Exodus 20:12-16 – The original list of the Ten Commandments given to Moses.
- Matthew 5:21-22 – “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,’ and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment. But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.”
- Romans 3:20 – “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.”
- James 2:10 – “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.”
These passages reinforce the idea that while the law reveals God’s standards, it also reveals humanity’s inability to meet those standards without God’s grace.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse is a reminder that being a “good person” or following moral rules is not enough to earn salvation. Many people, like the rich young ruler, assume that living a good life, being kind, and following the rules will secure their place in heaven. But Jesus teaches that salvation requires more than outward obedience—it requires a heart that is fully surrendered to God.
This verse also challenges believers to examine their own obedience. Are they following God’s commands out of a genuine love for Him, or are they simply going through the motions? True obedience flows from a relationship with God, not from a checklist of rules.
Additionally, this verse points to the importance of recognizing one’s need for grace. No one can perfectly keep God’s law, which is why Jesus came to provide the way of salvation through His death and resurrection.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is shown in the fact that He gave the law to guide His people and reveal their need for Him. The commandments are not just a list of rules—they reflect God’s holy character and His desire for His people to live in harmony with Him and with each other. When people fall short of His standards, God doesn’t abandon them. Instead, He offers forgiveness and grace through Jesus Christ.
God’s love is also seen in Jesus’ interaction with the rich young ruler. Rather than condemning the man for his misunderstanding, Jesus gently leads him to the truth. God’s love is patient, and He desires for all people to recognize their need for His mercy.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus is the fulfillment of the law. While the rich young ruler sought eternal life through obedience, Jesus points him to the deeper truth that only through faith in God can anyone be saved. Jesus perfectly obeyed the law on behalf of humanity and became the ultimate sacrifice for sin (Matthew 5:17).
Through His death and resurrection, Jesus provided the way for sinners to be made right with God, not through their own efforts but through faith in Him. This verse shows that salvation is not about what we do but about what Jesus has already done. By trusting in Him, believers receive the righteousness that they could never achieve on their own.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Do you ever find yourself relying on your good deeds or moral behavior to feel acceptable to God? How can you shift your focus to His grace instead?
- How does understanding the purpose of the law help you appreciate the need for Jesus’ sacrifice?
- Are there areas in your life where you are following God’s commands outwardly but not from the heart?
- What does it mean to you that Jesus perfectly fulfilled the law on your behalf?
- How can you help others understand that salvation is not about being “good enough” but about trusting in Jesus?