Devine Scripture

Matthew 19:18

What does Matthew 19:18 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 19:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 19:18 means

The young man, seeking clarification, asked Jesus 'Which?' commandments he should keep. Jesus then listed several commandments from the second table of the Law: 'Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness.' These specific commands focus on a person's duty to his neighbor, highlighting the outward expressions of righteousness expected by God and universally understood moral principles.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

He saith unto him, Which? And Jesus said, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

He saith unto him, Which? And Jesus said, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

He says to him, Which? And Jesus said, Do not put anyone to death, Do not be untrue in married life, Do not take what is not yours, Do not give false witness,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

He saith to him, `What kind?' And Jesus said, `Thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not bear false witness,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

He said to him: Which? And Jesus said: Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

He says to him, Which? And Jesus said, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

Context

In response to the rich young ruler's question in verse 17 about which commandments to keep, Jesus begins to list specific prohibitions. This enumeration of the Law's demands continues in the next verse, providing concrete examples that the young man believed he had already fulfilled, setting him up for Jesus's deeper challenge.

v.17And he said unto him, Why askest thou me concerning that which is good? One there is who is good: but if thou wouldest enter into life, keep the commandments.

v.18This passage

v.19Honor thy father and thy mother; and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

Cross references

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

  • Exodus 20:12

    Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee.

  • Matthew 5:21

    Ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

  • Luke 18:20

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

  • James 2:10

    For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is become guilty of all.

  • 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.

  • Mark 10:19

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

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