Luke 18:20

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.

Thou knowest {G1492} the commandments {G1785}, Do {G3431} not {G3361} commit adultery {G3431}, Do {G5407} not {G3361} kill {G5407}, Do {G2813} not {G3361} steal {G2813}, Do {G5576} not {G3361} bear false witness {G5576}, Honour {G5091} thy {G4675} father {G3962} and {G2532} thy {G4675} mother {G3384}.

You know the mitzvot — ‘Don’t commit adultery, don’t murder, don’t steal, don’t give false testimony, honor your father and mother, . . .’”

You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honor your father and mother.’”

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

Luke 18:20 presents Jesus's direct challenge to a wealthy young man, listing several core commandments from the Mosaic Law. This interaction is pivotal in understanding the nature of true righteousness and the demands of inheriting eternal life.

Context

This verse is part of the well-known narrative of the Rich Young Ruler (Luke 18:18-23). The ruler approaches Jesus asking what he must do to inherit eternal life. Instead of immediately pointing to faith, Jesus first directs him to the established divine law, specifically recalling several of the Ten Commandments. This initial response serves to expose the man's self-righteousness and highlight the true standard of God's perfect law. The commandments mentioned — "Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother" — are direct quotes from the Decalogue, foundational to Jewish life and moral conduct under the Old Covenant.

Key Themes

  • The Imperative of God's Law: Jesus begins by emphasizing the importance of knowing and keeping the commandments, underscoring that God's moral law remains a fundamental standard for human conduct.
  • Revealing Self-Righteousness: By listing these specific commandments, Jesus tests the ruler's understanding of righteousness. The ruler's confident assertion in Luke 18:21 that he had kept all these from his youth reveals his superficial understanding and underlying self-righteousness.
  • Holiness and Human Relationships: The chosen commandments primarily relate to human-to-human relationships, reflecting the second table of the Ten Commandments. They emphasize honesty, integrity, and respect for life, property, and family, which are vital for a just society and a reflection of love for one's neighbor.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "Thou knowest the commandments" translates the Greek Oidas tas entolas (οἶδας τὰς ἐντολάς). Entolas (ἐντολάς) simply means "commands" or "precepts." There isn't a complex linguistic nuance here beyond its direct meaning of divine instructions. The significance lies in which specific commandments Jesus chose to highlight from the Decalogue, focusing on those that address outward moral behavior and interpersonal ethics.

Practical Application

Luke 18:20 serves as a powerful reminder that while knowing and striving to keep God's moral law is essential, it alone cannot grant eternal life or true righteousness. The law serves as a mirror, revealing our sinfulness and our inability to perfectly meet God's standard (as seen in Romans 3:20). For believers today, these commandments still provide a moral compass, guiding us in living a life pleasing to God and loving our neighbor. However, our salvation is not earned through our obedience but is a gift received through faith in Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfilled the law on our behalf. The Law then becomes a guide for sanctification, not a path to justification.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Exodus 20:12

    ¶ Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

  • Exodus 20:17

    Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that [is] thy neighbour's.

  • Romans 13:9

    For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if [there be] any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

  • Mark 10:18

    And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? [there is] none good but one, [that is], God.

  • Mark 10:19

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

  • Matthew 19:17

    And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? [there is] none good but one, [that is], God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

  • Matthew 19:19

    Honour thy father and [thy] mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

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