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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Luke 18:18 Then a certain ruler asked Him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/luke/18-18.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/42_Luk_18_18.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Luke 18:18 - The Rich Young Ruler" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then a certain ruler asked Him, Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/luke/18-18.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/luke/18-18.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/luke/">Luke</a> > <a href="/luke/18.htm">Chapter 18</a> > Verse 18</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad18.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/luke/18-17.htm" title="Luke 18:17">◄</a> Luke 18:18 <a href="/luke/18-19.htm" title="Luke 18:19">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/luke/18.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/luke/18.htm">New International Version</a> A certain ruler asked him, &#8220Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?&#8221 <a href="/nlt/luke/18.htm">New Living Translation</a> Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: “Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” <a href="/esv/luke/18.htm">English Standard Version</a> And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” <a href="/bsb/luke/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Then a certain ruler asked Him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” <a href="/blb/luke/18.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And a certain ruler asked Him, saying, "Good Teacher, having done what, will I inherit eternal life?" <a href="/kjv/luke/18.htm">King James Bible</a> And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? <a href="/nkjv/luke/18.htm">New King James Version</a> Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” <a href="/nasb_/luke/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> A ruler questioned Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” <a href="/nasb/luke/18.htm">NASB 1995</a> A ruler questioned Him, saying, &#8220Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/luke/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And a certain ruler questioned Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” <a href="/lsb/luke/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And a ruler questioned Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” <a href="/amp/luke/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a> A certain ruler asked Him, “Good Teacher [You who are essentially and morally good], what shall I do to inherit eternal life [that is, eternal salvation in the Messiah’s kingdom]?” <a href="/csb/luke/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> A ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? ” <a href="/hcsb/luke/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> A ruler asked Him, &#8220Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?&#8221 <a href="/asv/luke/18.htm">American Standard Version</a> And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? <a href="/cev/luke/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> An important man asked Jesus, "Good Teacher, what must I do to have eternal life?" <a href="/erv/luke/18.htm">English Revised Version</a> And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? <a href="/gwt/luke/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> An official asked Jesus, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" <a href="/gnt/luke/18.htm">Good News Translation</a> A Jewish leader asked Jesus, "Good Teacher, what must I do to receive eternal life?" <a href="/isv/luke/18.htm">International Standard Version</a> Then an official asked Jesus, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" <a href="/msb/luke/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Then a certain ruler asked Him, ?Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?? <a href="/net/luke/18.htm">NET Bible</a> Now a certain ruler asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" <a href="/nheb/luke/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> A certain ruler asked him, saying, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit everlasting life?" <a href="/wbt/luke/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? <a href="/wey/luke/18.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> The question was put to Him by a Ruler: "Good Rabbi, what shall I do to inherit the Life of the Ages?" <a href="/web/luke/18.htm">World English Bible</a> A certain ruler asked him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/luke/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And a certain ruler questioned Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what having done—will I inherit continuous life?” <a href="/blb/luke/18.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And a certain ruler asked Him, saying, "Good Teacher, having done what, will I inherit eternal life?" <a href="/ylt/luke/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And a certain ruler questioned him, saying, 'Good teacher, what having done -- shall I inherit life age-during?' <a href="/slt/luke/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Teacher, having done what, shall I inherit eternal life?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/luke/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And a certain ruler asked him, saying: Good master, what shall I do to possess everlasting life? <a href="/cpdv/luke/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And a certain leader questioned him, saying: “Good teacher, what should I do to possess eternal life?” <a href="/nabre/luke/18.htm">New American Bible</a> An official asked him this question, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” <a href="/nrsvce/luke/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> A certain ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/luke/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> A nd one of the leaders asked him and said to him, O good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit life everlasting? <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/luke/18.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And one who was a nobleman asked him and said to him, “Good teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/luke/18.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And a certain ruler asked him, saying: Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? <a href="/godbey/luke/18.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And a certain ruler asked Him, saying, Good Teacher, having done what, shall I inherit eternal life? <a href="/haweis/luke/18.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, by doing what shall I inherit eternal life? <a href="/mace/luke/18.htm">Mace New Testament</a> Then a person of distinction ask'd him this question, good master, what must I do to inherit eternal life? <a href="/wey/luke/18.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> The question was put to Him by a Ruler: "Good Rabbi, what shall I do to inherit the Life of the Ages?" <a href="/worrell/luke/18.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And a certain ruler asked Him, saying, "Good Teacher, by doing what shall I inherit eternal life?" <a href="/worsley/luke/18.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> And a certain ruler asked Him, saying, Good master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? <a href="/parallel/luke/18-18.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3-5_0Jtd9Lc?start=7210" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/luke/18.htm">The Rich Young Ruler</a> 17Truly I tell you, anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 18<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: Kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">Then</a> <a href="/greek/5100.htm" title="5100: tis (IPro-NMS) -- Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.">a certain</a> <a href="/greek/758.htm" title="758: archōn (N-NMS) -- Present participle of archo; a first.">ruler</a> <a href="/greek/1905.htm" title="1905: epērōtēsen (V-AIA-3S) -- To interrogate, question, demand of. From epi and erotao; to ask for, i.e. Inquire, seek.">asked</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auton (PPro-AM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">Him,</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. "></a> <a href="/greek/18.htm" title="18: agathe (Adj-VMS) -- A primary word; good.">“Good</a> <a href="/greek/1320.htm" title="1320: Didaskale (N-VMS) -- A teacher, master. From didasko; an instructor.">Teacher,</a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: ti (IPro-ANS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">what</a> <a href="/greek/4160.htm" title="4160: poiēsas (V-APA-NMS) -- (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.">must I do</a> <a href="/greek/2816.htm" title="2816: klēronomēsō (V-FIA-1S) -- To inherit, obtain (possess) by inheritance, acquire. From kleronomos; to be an heir to.">to inherit</a> <a href="/greek/166.htm" title="166: aiōnion (Adj-AFS) -- From aion; perpetual.">eternal</a> <a href="/greek/2222.htm" title="2222: zōēn (N-AFS) -- Life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence. From zao; life.">life?”</a> 19“Why do you call Me good?” Jesus replied. “No one is good except God alone.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/19-16.htm">Matthew 19:16-22</a> Just then a man came up to Jesus and inquired, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to obtain eternal life?” / “Why do you ask Me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” / “Which ones?” the man asked. Jesus answered, “‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, ... <a href="/mark/10-17.htm">Mark 10:17-22</a> As Jesus started on His way, a man ran up and knelt before Him. “Good Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” / “Why do you call Me good?” Jesus replied. “No one is good except God alone. / You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not cheat others, honor your father and mother.’” ... <a href="/exodus/20-12.htm">Exodus 20:12-16</a> Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. / You shall not murder. / You shall not commit adultery. ... <a href="/deuteronomy/5-16.htm">Deuteronomy 5:16-20</a> Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. / You shall not murder. / You shall not commit adultery. ... <a href="/romans/13-8.htm">Romans 13:8-10</a> Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. / The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” / Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. <a href="/james/2-10.htm">James 2:10-11</a> Whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. / For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. <a href="/matthew/22-36.htm">Matthew 22:36-40</a> “Teacher, which commandment is the greatest in the Law?” / Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ / This is the first and greatest commandment. ... <a href="/leviticus/19-18.htm">Leviticus 19:18</a> Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD. <a href="/proverbs/11-4.htm">Proverbs 11:4</a> Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness brings deliverance from death. <a href="/philippians/3-4.htm">Philippians 3:4-9</a> though I myself could have such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: / circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; / as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to righteousness in the law, faultless. ... <a href="/1_timothy/6-17.htm">1 Timothy 6:17-19</a> Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy. / Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share, / treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. <a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17-20</a> Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. / For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. / So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ... <a href="/galatians/3-10.htm">Galatians 3:10-12</a> All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” / Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” / The law, however, is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.” <a href="/romans/7-7.htm">Romans 7:7-12</a> What then shall we say? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed, I would not have been mindful of sin if not for the law. For I would not have been aware of coveting if the law had not said, “Do not covet.” / But sin, seizing its opportunity through the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from the law, sin is dead. / Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. ... <a href="/1_john/2-3.htm">1 John 2:3-6</a> By this we can be sure that we have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments. / If anyone says, “I know Him,” but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him. / But if anyone keeps His word, the love of God has been truly perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him: ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?a certain.<a href="/matthew/19-16.htm">Matthew 19:16</a> And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?<a href="/mark/10-17.htm">Mark 10:17</a> And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?Good.<a href="/luke/6-46.htm">Luke 6:46</a> And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?<a href="/ezekiel/33-31.htm">Ezekiel 33:31</a> And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.<a href="/malachi/1-6.htm">Malachi 1:6</a> A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?what.<a href="/luke/10-25.htm">Luke 10:25</a> And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?<a href="/acts/2-37.htm">Acts 2:37</a> Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?<a href="/acts/16-30.htm">Acts 16:30</a> And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/10-25.htm">Age-During</a> <a href="/luke/10-25.htm">Ages</a> <a href="/luke/16-9.htm">Eternal</a> <a href="/luke/18-9.htm">Good</a> <a href="/luke/10-25.htm">Inherit</a> <a href="/luke/17-33.htm">Life</a> <a href="/luke/17-37.htm">Master</a> <a href="/luke/14-6.htm">Question</a> <a href="/luke/17-20.htm">Questioned</a> <a href="/luke/17-13.htm">Rabbi</a> <a href="/luke/14-1.htm">Ruler</a> <a href="/luke/12-13.htm">Teacher</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/luke/18-30.htm">Age-During</a> <a href="/luke/18-30.htm">Ages</a> <a href="/luke/18-30.htm">Eternal</a> <a href="/luke/18-19.htm">Good</a> <a href="/romans/4-13.htm">Inherit</a> <a href="/luke/18-30.htm">Life</a> <a href="/luke/19-16.htm">Master</a> <a href="/luke/19-31.htm">Question</a> <a href="/luke/18-40.htm">Questioned</a> <a href="/luke/19-39.htm">Rabbi</a> <a href="/luke/19-19.htm">Ruler</a> <a href="/luke/19-39.htm">Teacher</a><div class="vheading2">Luke 18</div>1. <a href="/luke/18-1.htm">Of the importunate widow.</a> 9. <a href="/luke/18-9.htm">Of the Pharisee and the tax collector.</a> 15. <a href="/luke/18-15.htm">Of Children brought to Jesus.</a> 18. <a href="/luke/18-18.htm">A ruler would follow Jesus, but is hindered by his riches.</a> 28. <a href="/luke/18-28.htm">The reward of those who leave all for his sake.</a> 31. <a href="/luke/18-31.htm">He foretells his death;</a> 35. <a href="/luke/18-35.htm">and restores a blind man to sight.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/18.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/luke/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Then a certain ruler asked Him The term "ruler" likely refers to a leader within the Jewish community, possibly a synagogue official or a member of the Sanhedrin. This indicates a person of influence and authority, suggesting that the message of Jesus was reaching all levels of society. The approach of this ruler to Jesus shows a recognition of Jesus' authority and wisdom, despite the ruler's own status. This encounter is paralleled in <a href="/matthew/19-16.htm">Matthew 19:16-22</a> and <a href="/mark/10-17.htm">Mark 10:17-22</a>, where the ruler is described as a young man, emphasizing his potential for long-term influence and the weight of his decision.“Good Teacher” Addressing Jesus as "Good Teacher" reflects a recognition of His moral and spiritual authority. In Jewish culture, the term "good" was reserved for God alone, as seen in <a href="/psalms/25-8.htm">Psalm 25:8</a> and <a href="/psalms/34-8.htm">Psalm 34:8</a>, which extol God's goodness. This salutation sets the stage for Jesus' response, which challenges the ruler's understanding of goodness and points to the divine nature of true goodness. The ruler's use of this title may indicate a deeper spiritual curiosity or a misunderstanding of Jesus' identity.what must I do The ruler's question reveals a common Jewish belief in works-based righteousness, rooted in the Mosaic Law. This reflects the cultural and religious context of first-century Judaism, where adherence to the Law was seen as the path to righteousness. The question also highlights a universal human concern with salvation and the afterlife, echoing the inquiries of others in Scripture, such as the Philippian jailer in <a href="/acts/16-30.htm">Acts 16:30</a>. The ruler's focus on personal action underscores a misunderstanding of the grace-based nature of salvation that Jesus would later clarify.to inherit eternal life?” The concept of "inheriting eternal life" is deeply rooted in Jewish eschatology, which anticipated a future resurrection and life in the world to come. This phrase suggests an understanding of eternal life as a gift or inheritance, aligning with the biblical theme of God's promises to His people, as seen in <a href="/genesis/15-7.htm">Genesis 15:7</a> and <a href="/hebrews/9-15.htm">Hebrews 9:15</a>. The ruler's question reflects a desire for assurance of salvation, a theme that resonates throughout the New Testament, particularly in the teachings of Jesus about the Kingdom of God, as seen in <a href="/john/3-16.htm">John 3:16</a> and <a href="/romans/6-23.htm">Romans 6:23</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/a/a_certain_ruler.htm">A Certain Ruler</a> This individual is often understood to be a wealthy and influential man, possibly a synagogue leader or a member of the local council. His question indicates a desire for spiritual understanding and eternal security. 2. <a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus (Good Teacher)</a> Jesus is addressed as "Good Teacher," which reflects the ruler's respect and recognition of Jesus' authority and wisdom. Jesus' response to the ruler's question provides deep insights into the nature of salvation and discipleship. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_inquiry_about_eternal_life.htm">The Inquiry about Eternal Life</a> The ruler's question is central to the passage, highlighting a common human concern about life after death and the requirements for entering God's kingdom.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_true_goodness.htm">Understanding True Goodness</a> Jesus challenges the ruler's understanding of "goodness," pointing to God as the ultimate standard. This teaches us to evaluate our own standards of goodness and righteousness. <a href="/topical/t/the_cost_of_discipleship.htm">The Cost of Discipleship</a> Jesus' response highlights the cost of following Him, which may involve sacrificing earthly wealth and status. Believers are called to prioritize their relationship with Christ above all else. <a href="/topical/e/eternal_life_as_a_gift.htm">Eternal Life as a Gift</a> The ruler's question reflects a common misconception that eternal life can be earned. Jesus redirects the focus to faith and surrender, emphasizing that eternal life is a gift from God, not a result of human effort. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_law.htm">The Role of the Law</a> The ruler's adherence to the commandments is acknowledged, yet Jesus points beyond the law to the need for a heart transformation. This underscores the law's role in revealing our need for a Savior.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_luke_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Luke 18</a> <a href="/q/how_does_luke_18_18-30_teach_faith.htm">How does Luke 18:18–30 align with other Bible passages that teach salvation through faith rather than works or possessions? </a> <a href="/q/does_mark_10_21_conflict_with_modern_life.htm">Doesn’t Jesus’ command in Mark 10:21 to “sell everything” conflict with modern economic realities and social responsibilities? </a> <a href="/q/what_does_'give_it_all_away'_mean.htm">What does "give it all away" mean?</a> <a href="/q/does_proverbs_10_15_conflict_with_jesus.htm">Proverbs 10:15 depicts wealth as a “fortified city”—does this conflict with Jesus’ warnings about riches in the New Testament? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/luke/18.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(18-23) And a certain ruler asked him, . . .--See Notes on <a href="/context/matthew/19-16.htm" title="And, behold, one came and said to him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?">Matthew 19:16-25</a>; <a href="/context/mark/10-17.htm" title="And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?">Mark 10:17-22</a>. St. Luke alone describes the inquirer as a "ruler." As used without any defining genitive, and interpreted by <a href="/luke/23-13.htm" title="And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,">Luke 23:13</a>; <a href="/luke/23-35.htm" title="And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.">Luke 23:35</a>, <a href="/john/3-1.htm" title="There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:">John 3:1</a>; <a href="/john/7-26.htm" title="But, see, he speaks boldly, and they say nothing to him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?">John 7:26</a>; <a href="/john/7-48.htm" title="Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?">John 7:48</a>, et al., it seems to imply that he was a member of the Council or Sanhedrin. The term "youth," in <a href="/matthew/19-20.htm" title="The young man said to him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?">Matthew 19:20</a>, is not at variance with this inference. It is defined by Philo as including the period between twenty-one and twenty-eight--an age at which a place in the Council was probably open to one who was commended both by his wealth and his devotion. St. Paul obviously occupied a position of great influence at a time when he is described as a "young man" (<a href="/acts/7-58.htm" title="And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.">Acts 7:58</a>). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/luke/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 18. - And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life! This incident is related in the three synoptical Gospels. St. Matthew speaks of him as the young man. St. Luke here styles him a ruler; by some the title is supposed simply to denote that he was the ruler of a synagogue or congregation; others, however, consider that it denotes that the subject of the narrative was a ruler of the Jews, and possibly, but this is of course doubtful, a member of the Sanhedrin. His youth (<a href="/matthew/19-20.htm">Matthew 19:20</a>) is not at variance with this inference. Youth is defined by Philo as including the period between twenty-one and twenty-eight. All the three evangelists mention his great wealth. Dean Plumptre suggests that his large possessions and evident devotion had probably opened to him, at a comparatively early age, a place in the great council. His question concerning eternal life indicates that he was a Pharisee, and he evidently represented the noblest phase of this religious party. He had sedulously followed out the precepts of the best rabbinic schools of his day, but there was something lacking, he felt, and his intercourse with Jesus and the influence of the Master's words led him to take this question point-blank to the famous Teacher, who he felt - alone of any master whom he had met - was able to satisfy this longing desire of his heart. <a href="/commentaries/luke/18-18.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Then Καὶ (Kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. a certain τις (tis) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5100.htm">Strong's 5100: </a> Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object. ruler ἄρχων (archōn) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_758.htm">Strong's 758: </a> Present participle of archo; a first. asked ἐπηρώτησέν (epērōtēsen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1905.htm">Strong's 1905: </a> To interrogate, question, demand of. From epi and erotao; to ask for, i.e. Inquire, seek. Him, αὐτὸν (auton) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. “Good ἀγαθέ (agathe) Adjective - Vocative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_18.htm">Strong's 18: </a> A primary word; 'good'. Teacher, Διδάσκαλε (Didaskale) Noun - Vocative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1320.htm">Strong's 1320: </a> A teacher, master. From didasko; an instructor. what τί (ti) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what. must I do ποιήσας (poiēsas) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4160.htm">Strong's 4160: </a> (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do. to inherit κληρονομήσω (klēronomēsō) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2816.htm">Strong's 2816: </a> To inherit, obtain (possess) by inheritance, acquire. From kleronomos; to be an heir to. eternal αἰώνιον (aiōnion) Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_166.htm">Strong's 166: </a> From aion; perpetual. life?” ζωὴν (zōēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2222.htm">Strong's 2222: </a> Life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence. From zao; life. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/luke/18-18.htm">Luke 18:18 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/luke/18-18.htm">Luke 18:18 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/luke/18-18.htm">Luke 18:18 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/luke/18-18.htm">Luke 18:18 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/luke/18-18.htm">Luke 18:18 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/luke/18-18.htm">Luke 18:18 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/luke/18-18.htm">Luke 18:18 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/luke/18-18.htm">Luke 18:18 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/luke/18-18.htm">Luke 18:18 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/luke/18-18.htm">Luke 18:18 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/luke/18-18.htm">NT Gospels: Luke 18:18 A certain ruler asked him saying Good (Luke Lu Lk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/luke/18-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Luke 18:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Luke 18:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/luke/18-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Luke 18:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Luke 18:19" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>