Devine Scripture

Luke 18:21

What does Luke 18:21 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 18:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 18:21 means

The ruler confidently declared that he had kept all these commandments from his youth. His response indicates a sincere belief in his own moral uprightness according to the Law, perhaps even a sense of pride in his achievements. While he may have outwardly adhered to these commands, Jesus's further questions will reveal that his obedience, though notable, did not reach the depth of true discipleship and an undivided heart towards God.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said, All these things I have done from the time when I was a boy.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And he said, `All these I did keep from my youth;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Who said: All these things have I kept from my youth.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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

Context

This verse presents the ruler's confident reply to Jesus's challenge in verse 20. His claim to have kept all these commandments from his youth establishes his outward righteousness and a degree of self-assurance. This sets the stage for Jesus's precise and personal diagnosis of the ruler's true heart condition, moving beyond outward actions to inward devotion.

v.20Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor thy father and mother.

v.21This passage

v.22And when Jesus heard it, he said unto him, One thing thou lackest yet: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 15:7

    I say unto you, that even so there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine righteous persons, who need no repentance.

  • Mark 10:20

    And he said unto him, Teacher, all these things have I observed from my youth.

  • Matthew 19:20

    The young man saith unto him, All these things have I observed: what lack I yet?

  • Luke 18:11

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

  • Philippians 3:6

    as touching zeal, persecuting the church; as touching the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless.

  • Luke 15:29

    But he answered and said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, and I never transgressed a commandment of thine; and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:

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