Luke 18

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:

And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.

And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;

Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.

And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.

Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.

And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.

Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.

And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?

And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.

And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake,

Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.

Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.

For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:

And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.

And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.

And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:

And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant.

And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.

And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him,

Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.

And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.

And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.

What does Luke 18:18 mean?

Explanation

The verse Luke 18:18 features an exchange between Jesus and a certain ruler.

The ruler's question, "Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" is a query about the requirements for salvation and the afterlife.

It reveals a common concern of the time, a desire to understand how to secure a place in the hereafter.

The use of the term "Good Master" is a sign of respect towards Jesus, recognizing him as a teacher or rabbi with authority on spiritual matters.

This question sets the stage for Jesus to teach about what is truly important in the pursuit of eternal life.

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Historical Context

This verse is part of the Gospel of Luke, likely written between AD 80 and 110.

Luke's audience primarily consisted of Gentiles (non-Jews) and second-generation Christians.

During this period, there was a strong emphasis on legalism and following religious laws as a path to righteousness.

The rich ruler's question reflects the prevailing thought that actions and strict adherence to the law could guarantee eternal life.

Jesus' response, which appears later in the passage, often counteracts these views by emphasizing internal change and willingness to follow Him over mere legalistic observance.

Theological Insights

The question posed to Jesus brings up important theological discussions.

From an evangelical Christian perspective, the question of how to inherit eternal life is answered through faith in Jesus Christ and not by works alone.

Catholic theology also holds that while good works are important, grace received from God is ultimately what opens the way to eternal life.

Liberal theological perspectives might focus less on the afterlife and more on the ethical teachings of Jesus and the implication of the question on how to live a morally upright life.

Practical Applications

In contemporary society, the question asked by the ruler can lead one to reflect on personal values and the essence of one's faith.

It challenges individuals to consider what truly matters in their spiritual journey, are they focusing on external behaviors to justify themselves, or are they seeking a meaningful relationship with the divine? It encourages a heartfelt examination of one's priorities and the cultivation of virtues that align with the teachings of Jesus, such as compassion, humility, and charity.

Cross-References

The theme of what is required for eternal life and the futility of relying on wealth or adhering to the law is discussed elsewhere in scripture:

Mark 10:17-22: Another instance of the same story.
Matthew 19:16-22: The parallel account in Matthew's Gospel.
Ephesians 2:8-9: Stresses that salvation is a gift from God, not a result of works.
James 2:14-17: Emphasizes that faith without works is dead, suggesting a balance between belief and action.

Language Study

The Greek word used for "Good" is "ἀγαθός" (agathos), which implies moral excellence, virtue, and beneficence.

The word "Master" is "διδάσκαλος" (didaskalos), meaning teacher or instructor.

"Inherit" is translated from "κληρονομέω" (kleronomeo), which carries the notion of receiving a portion or inheritance, typically used in the context of receiving property or rights.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The concept of seeking eternal life is not unique to Christianity and can be found in various forms in other religious traditions.

For instance, in ancient Egyptian religion, attaining the afterlife was associate with moral living and proper rites performed by the living.

In Hinduism, achieving Moksha (liberation from the cycle of rebirth) depends on dharma (moral order), and not merely on ritual practice.

This verse foregrounds a universal quest for immortality or an afterlife, expressed through different cultural lenses.

Scientific Perspectives

The question of eternal life does not have a scientific basis, as science does not provide evidence for an afterlife or a means to achieve it. Science typically focuses on what can be observed and tested, so the concept of eternal life falls outside its purview.

However, the psychological effects of belief in an afterlife and moral living have been studied, indicating that such beliefs can significantly influence behavior and societal structures.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians have commented on this verse, providing insights that often revolve around the significance of Jesus' teachings on salvation:

William Barclay notes the rich ruler's failure to understand that eternal life is not something that can be earned or possessed; it's a gift from God.
John Calvin points to the ruler's address of Jesus as "Good Master," indicating he considered Jesus to be more than an ordinary man, yet he failed to recognize Jesus as the one who could grant the eternal life he sought.
The Expositor's Bible Commentary observes that this story illustrates the challenge faced by those with wealth when trying to enter the kingdom of God, highlighting Jesus' call to radical discipleship as the path to true life.

Luke 18

Luke 18

What does Luke 18:18 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Luke 18:18 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?