Luke 18:20
What does Luke 18:20 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 18:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 18:20 means
Jesus begins by listing several commandments from the second table of the Law, which deals with duties to one's neighbor: adultery, murder, theft, false witness, and honoring parents. He intentionally omits the commandments concerning duties to God. This selection implicitly tests the ruler's understanding of righteousness, focusing on outward actions that he, as a respected ruler, would presumably have kept. This sets up the deeper challenge that will soon follow.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor thy father and mother.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor thy father and mother.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949You have knowledge of what the law says: Do not be untrue to your wife, Do not put anyone to death, Do not take what is not yours, Do not give false witness, Give honour to your father and mother.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862the commands thou hast known: Thou mayest not commit adultery, Thou mayest do no murder, Thou mayest not steal, Thou mayest not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Thou knowest the commandments: Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery: Thou shalt not steal: Thou shalt not bear false witness: Honour thy father and mother.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Thou knowest the commandments: Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.
Context
Following the spiritual preamble in verse 19, this verse details Jesus's initial response by directing the ruler back to the Mosaic Law. This is a common rabbinic method of instruction, testing the inquirer's foundation. By listing these particular commandments, Jesus prepares to expose the ruler's deeper spiritual deficiencies beyond mere outward obedience, which will be revealed in the subsequent exchange.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Mark 10:18
And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good save one, even God.
- Luke 10:26
And he said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
- Romans 3:20
because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified in his sight; for through the law cometh the knowledge of sin.
- Ephesians 6:2
Honor thy father and mother (which is the first commandment with promise),
- Exodus 20:12
Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee.
- Galatians 3:10
For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one who continueth not in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them.
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