What does Luke 18:21 mean?

Explanation

The verse [And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.] from Luke 18:21 occurs in the context of a conversation between Jesus Christ and a rich ruler, who is often referred to as the rich young ruler.

This verse is the ruler's response to Jesus after Jesus enumerated the commandments that one should follow to inherit eternal life.

In the Gospel narrative, the ruler is affirming his adherence to the commandments Jesus mentioned previously (which include not committing adultery, not killing, not stealing, not bearing false witness, honoring one's father and mother, etc.).

The ruler is, in essence, asserting his own righteousness based on his observance of these commandments from a young age.

The literal meaning of the verse reflects a claim of moral upright conduct and religiosity.

The deeper meaning touches on the theme of self-righteousness and the potentially deceptive nature of moral complacency. It sets the stage for what follows in the gospel, where Jesus challenges the ruler to go further in his moral and spiritual commitment.

Historical Context

This conversation is situated in the time when Jesus is teaching and traveling around Judea during the 1st century A.D. The historical context is the Jewish society under Roman occupation, where the Jewish Law (Torah) and tradition played a significant role in everyday life.

The rich young ruler is an example of a person who, within this historical context, appears to have observed the letter of the religious laws. Yet, Jesus' ensuing instruction suggests that the spirit of the law and deeper devotion to God involve more than external adherence to commandments.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological viewpoint, this verse raises discussions about salvation, discipleship, and the insufficiency of works alone to gain eternal life.

It suggests that righteous deeds, while valuable, are not enough without a complete surrender to God's will.

Some Christian theologians interpret this exchange as highlighting the insurmountability of achieving righteousness through the Law alone, thus pointing to the need for God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

Others might focus on the importance of the sincerity of one's commitment to God, where mere external observance is insufficient.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, this verse can serve as a reminder to individuals to reflect on their own spiritual lives beyond just the strict observance of religious rules.

It calls for a deeper self-examination of one's motives, attachments, and the state of one's relationship with God.

The teaching could be applied to encourage people not to rely solely on their achievements or moral track record, but to adopt a posture of humility and continuous spiritual growth.

Cross-References

• Matthew 19:20: The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
• Mark 10:20: And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
• Philippians 3:6: Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

Language Study

The original Greek text for key phrases in this verse from Luke 18:21 includes:

• "All these": πάντα ταῦτα (panta tauta), meaning "all these things" or "everything."
• "have I kept": ἐφύλαξα (ephytaxa), from the verb φυλάσσω (phylasso), meaning "I have kept" or "I have guarded."
• "from my youth": ἐκ νεότητος (ek neotetos), implying "from my youth" or "since I was young."

The phrase "have I kept" indicates a careful observance, suggesting a diligent and intentional effort to abide by the commandments.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In many ancient cultures, including Judaism, there was a strong emphasis on following a code of ethics or a set of laws as a means of achieving favor with the gods or a blessed afterlife.

The Egyptian Book of the Dead, for example, describes a "negative confession," where the soul of the deceased claims to have not committed various misdeeds.

In comparing the rich young ruler's emphasis on law-keeping with other religious traditions, one might find parallels in the works-based approaches to righteousness and the human inclination to quantify and measure moral progress.

Scientific Perspectives

While this verse does not directly correlate with scientific inquiries, the broader discussion about morality, ethical behavior, and psychological development might intersect with scientific perspectives.

Psychological research on moral development, such as Kohlberg's stages of moral reasoning, can provide insights into how individuals understand and apply ethical principles throughout their lives.

Commentaries

Commentaries on Luke 18:21 often focus on the rich young ruler's self-assurance and how it reflects a common human tendency to overestimate one's spiritual state.

For instance, the Pulpit Commentary observes that the ruler's assertion was likely sincere but misguided, as he did not grasp the full extent of the commandments' spiritual implications.

Matthew Henry's commentary notes that while the ruler had an outward respect for the law, he might not have considered the deeper aspects of the laws, such as love and mercy. Henry emphasizes the gap between external observance and internal transformation.

John Calvin suggests that the ruler's claim of innocence is almost boastful and reveals his lack of understanding of the extent of the law's demands, pointing out that following the law in its entirety is impossible without divine assistance.

Calvin sees the young man's claim as an opportunity for Jesus to teach about the need for grace.