King James Version

What Does Luke 18:20 Mean?

Luke 18:20 in the King James Version says “Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy ...” — study this verse from Luke chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

Luke 18:20 · KJV

Context

18

And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

19

And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.

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.

21

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

22

Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

Read Luke 18 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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—Jesus quotes the Decalogue, specifically the second table (duties toward others) from Exodus 20. Tas entolas oidas (τὰς ἐντολὰς οἶδας)—'you know the commandments'—assumes the ruler's Torah education.

Jesus lists commandments six through nine (adultery, murder, theft, false witness) and jumps to five (honor parents), omitting ten (coveting). He focuses on external behaviors the ruler can claim to have kept. This is pedagogical strategy: Jesus will expose that commandment-keeping doesn't produce righteousness but reveals heart idolatry (coveting wealth). The law's purpose isn't justification but conviction—showing inability to save oneself (Romans 3:20, Galatians 3:24).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Pharisaic Judaism taught that perfect commandment observance earned eternal life. The ruler represents this theology's best case—someone who sincerely believes he's kept the law from youth. Jesus doesn't initially dispute this claim (v. 21) but will demonstrate that external conformity masks internal idolatry. Paul later testified to similar pre-conversion confidence: 'touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless' (Philippians 3:6), yet counted it all loss compared to Christ.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does Jesus focus on the second table (duties to others) rather than the first table (duties to God)?
  2. What does Jesus's strategy of citing commandments the ruler claims to keep reveal about the law's purpose?
  3. How can external commandment-keeping coexist with internal heart idolatry?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 19 words
τὰς1 of 19
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐντολὰς2 of 19

“the commandments”

G1785

injunction, i.e., an authoritative prescription

οἶδας·3 of 19

“Thou knowest”

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

Μὴ4 of 19

“not”

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

μοιχεύσῃς5 of 19

“Do”

G3431

to commit adultery

Μὴ6 of 19

“not”

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

φονεύσῃς7 of 19

“Do”

G5407

to be a murderer (of)

Μὴ8 of 19

“not”

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

κλέψῃς9 of 19

“Do”

G2813

to filch

Μὴ10 of 19

“not”

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

ψευδομαρτυρήσῃς11 of 19

“Do”

G5576

to be an untrue testifier, i.e., offer falsehood in evidence

Τίμα12 of 19

“Honour”

G5091

to prize, i.e., fix a valuation upon; by implication, to revere

τὸν13 of 19
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πατέρα14 of 19

“father”

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

σου15 of 19

“thy”

G4675

of thee, thy

καὶ16 of 19

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὴν17 of 19
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μητέρα18 of 19

“mother”

G3384

a "mother" (literally or figuratively, immediate or remote)

σου19 of 19

“thy”

G4675

of thee, thy

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 18:20 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 18:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 20:12-17Deuteronomy 5:16-21Romans 13:9Ephesians 6:2Matthew 19:17-19Galatians 3:10-13

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