Luke 18:21

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} he said {G2036}, All {G3956} these {G5023} have I kept {G5442} from {G1537} my {G3450} youth {G3503} up.

Complete Jewish Bible

He replied, “I have kept all these since I was a boy.”

Berean Standard Bible

“All these I have kept from my youth,” he said.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 18:21 captures the confident declaration of the rich young ruler who, in response to Jesus' recitation of several commandments, asserts that he has diligently observed all of them since his earliest years. This statement reveals his deeply ingrained self-perception of righteousness based on external obedience to the Law, setting the stage for Jesus' subsequent, penetrating challenge that will expose the true condition of his heart and his ultimate obstacle to inheriting eternal life.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is part of the well-known encounter between Jesus and a wealthy young man, which is also paralleled in [Matthew 19:16-30](/matthew/19-16-30 "Matthew's Account of the Rich Young Ruler") and [Mark 10:17-31](/mark/10-17-31 "Mark's Account of the Rich Young Ruler"). The narrative immediately precedes the discussion about the difficulty for the rich to enter the kingdom of God and Peter's question about the disciples' sacrifices. The young man, identified as a "ruler" (likely a synagogue leader or member of the Sanhedrin), approaches Jesus with a sincere question about inheriting eternal life. Jesus' initial response, pointing to the Mosaic Law, serves to expose the young man's self-righteousness. The ruler's claim in [Luke 18:21](/luke/18-21 "Luke 18:21 - The Rich Young Ruler's Claim") is his confident assertion of having fulfilled these requirements, which then allows Jesus to probe deeper into the true state of his heart, moving beyond mere outward compliance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Judaism, adherence to the Mosaic Law was central to religious life and identity. Many devout Jews, particularly the Pharisees and those influenced by their teachings, believed that meticulous observance of the commandments was the path to righteousness and favor with God. The concept of "keeping the Law from one's youth" was a mark of piety and dedication, often taught from childhood. Wealth was frequently seen as a sign of God's blessing, further reinforcing the young ruler's self-assurance that his life was pleasing to God. His position as a "ruler" also implies a respected status within his community, suggesting he was a prominent and exemplary figure, which would have added weight to his confident assertion of blamelessness before the Law.
* **Key Themes:** The young ruler's statement in [Luke 18:21](/luke/18-21 "Luke 18:21 - The Rich Young Ruler's Claim") contributes significantly to several key themes within the broader narrative of [Luke's Gospel](/luke/1 "The Gospel According to Luke"). Firstly, it highlights the theme of **self-righteousness and the inadequacy of outward obedience**. The ruler genuinely believes his external adherence to the Law is sufficient for eternal life, failing to grasp the deeper spiritual demands. Secondly, it underscores the **misunderstanding of the Law's true purpose**. While the Law reveals God's perfect standard and character, it also exposes humanity's inherent inability to perfectly fulfill it, thus pointing to the need for divine grace, as articulated in [Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - The Law Reveals Sin"). Finally, this interaction sets the stage for the theme of **the heart's true condition versus outward appearance**. Jesus' subsequent challenge in [Luke 18:22](/luke/18-22 "Luke 18:22 - Jesus' Challenge to the Rich Young Ruler") will expose the young man's deeper idolatry—his attachment to wealth—revealing that his obedience was sincere but ultimately superficial, failing to address the true obstacle to his complete surrender to God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **said (Greek, _épō'_):** From G2036, this verb denotes speaking or saying, often implying a direct and definitive statement. Here, it conveys the young ruler's immediate and confident response to Jesus' challenge, indicating a lack of hesitation or doubt in his assertion. His declaration is presented as a firm, unreserved claim.
* **kept (Greek, _phylássō'_):** From G5442, this word means to watch, guard, observe, or preserve. It implies a diligent, careful, and continuous adherence to something. In this context, it signifies the young ruler's claim of meticulous and sustained obedience to the commandments Jesus had just listed, suggesting a lifetime of conscious effort to fulfill them.
* **youth (Greek, _neótēs'_):** From G3503, referring to newness or youthfulness. The phrase "from my youth up" (ek neotētos) emphasizes that the young ruler's claimed obedience was not a recent commitment but a lifelong practice, reinforcing the depth of his conviction in his own moral uprightness and consistent adherence to the Law since childhood.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said,"**: This opening clause establishes the speaker as the rich young ruler, providing his direct and immediate response to Jesus' preceding recitation of the commandments. It sets a tone of confidence and readiness to answer.
* **"All these have I kept"**: This is the core of the young ruler's assertion. "All these" refers specifically to the commandments Jesus had just mentioned (do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honor your father and mother). His use of "all" indicates a comprehensive claim of obedience, suggesting he believes he has perfectly fulfilled every one of these requirements. The verb "kept" (phylássō) implies a vigilant and consistent observance.
* **"from my youth up."**: This phrase adds a significant dimension to his claim, emphasizing the duration and consistency of his obedience. It suggests that his adherence to the Law was not a recent endeavor but a lifelong commitment, deeply ingrained since childhood, further bolstering his self-perception of blamelessness and righteousness.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Characterization** through direct speech, revealing the rich young ruler's self-perception as morally upright and religiously observant. His confident declaration, "All these have I kept from my youth up," immediately establishes him as someone who believes he has perfectly fulfilled the Law, showcasing his **Self-righteousness**. There is also an element of **Irony** present, as the ruler's sincere belief in his perfect obedience stands in stark contrast to Jesus' subsequent revelation of his true spiritual obstacle—his attachment to wealth. This sets up the dramatic tension and highlights the superficiality of an obedience that does not encompass the whole heart.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 18:21 serves as a poignant illustration of humanity's natural inclination towards self-justification through works. The rich young ruler, a seemingly exemplary individual, embodies the common misconception that eternal life can be earned through diligent adherence to rules and moral uprightness. His confident declaration reveals a heart that trusts in its own performance rather than recognizing its inherent need for divine grace. This encounter underscores the profound truth that while the Law is holy and good, its primary purpose is not to save but to expose sin and reveal humanity's inability to meet God's perfect standard, thereby driving individuals to seek a righteousness that comes from God alone.

* [Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - Justification by Faith")
* [Galatians 2:16](/galatians/2-16 "Galatians 2:16 - No Justification by Works of the Law")
* [Philippians 3:4-9](/philippians/3-4-9 "Philippians 3:4-9 - Paul's Renunciation of Self-Righteousness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The rich young ruler's confident assertion in Luke 18:21 challenges us to deeply examine the foundation of our own hope for eternal life. Do we, like him, subtly or overtly rely on our good deeds, moral conduct, religious observances, or even our perceived spiritual maturity as a basis for our standing with God? This verse serves as a powerful mirror, reflecting the human tendency to measure ourselves by external compliance rather than by the radical, transforming demands of a heart fully surrendered to Christ. True discipleship calls for more than a lifelong history of "keeping the rules"; it demands a complete relinquishing of all that we hold dear—our possessions, our pride, our self-sufficiency—and a humble reliance on God's grace alone. Our confidence for salvation must rest not on our own achievements, no matter how sincere or extensive, but solely on the finished work of Jesus Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "rules" or "good deeds" in my life that I might subtly rely on for my spiritual security?**
* **How does my understanding of God's Law align with its purpose to reveal sin rather than provide salvation?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be holding back from complete surrender to Christ, similar to the rich young ruler's attachment to wealth?**

### FAQ
**Was the rich young ruler lying when he said he had kept all the commandments?**

Answer: It is unlikely that the rich young ruler was intentionally lying. His statement, "All these have I kept from my youth up," seems to be a sincere reflection of his self-perception and his diligent adherence to the external requirements of the Mosaic Law. He was likely a devout and morally upright individual by societal standards. However, his understanding of "keeping" the commandments was superficial, focusing on outward actions rather than the deeper spiritual intent of the Law, which addresses the heart's motivations and priorities. Jesus' subsequent challenge in [Luke 18:22](/luke/18-22 "Luke 18:22 - Jesus' Challenge to the Rich Young Ruler") reveals that while he may have kept the letter of the law, he failed to keep the spirit of it, particularly the command to love God with all his heart, which would have required him to prioritize God above his great wealth. His sincerity did not equate to spiritual perfection or a true understanding of God's holistic demands.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The rich young ruler's confident claim in [Luke 18:21](/luke/18-21 "Luke 18:21 - The Rich Young Ruler's Claim") starkly highlights the human inability to achieve righteousness through self-effort, thereby pointing to the absolute necessity of Christ. His assertion, "All these have I kept from my youth up," represents the pinnacle of human striving under the Law, yet it falls short of the divine standard. This encounter perfectly sets the stage for the Gospel's core message: salvation is not by works of the Law, but by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Where the rich young ruler failed to perfectly keep "all these" commandments in the spirit of the Law, Jesus Christ perfectly fulfilled the entire Law, not for His own benefit, but on behalf of humanity (cf. [Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). He is the true and only one who could genuinely say He kept all the commandments from His youth up, living a sinless life (cf. [Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sinless High Priest")). Therefore, our hope for eternal life rests not on our flawed obedience, but on Christ's perfect obedience and His atoning sacrifice on the cross, which provides a righteousness freely given to all who believe (cf. [Romans 3:21-26](/romans/3-21-26 "Romans 3:21-26 - Righteousness Through Faith")). The rich young ruler's departure in sorrow underscores that only in Christ can true life and perfect righteousness be found, a righteousness that demands the surrender of all idols, including wealth, for the surpassing worth of knowing Him (cf. [Philippians 3:7-9](/philippians/3-7-9 "Philippians 3:7-9 - Paul's Gain in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Philippians 3:6

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

Matthew 19:20

The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

Matthew 19:21

Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go [and] sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come [and] follow me.

Romans 10:2

For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.

Romans 10:3

For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

Mark 10:20

And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.

Mark 10:21

Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.