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.”

Sure! Let’s do a Bible study on Luke 18:20 from the King James Version (KJV). The verse says:

This verse is part of a conversation between Jesus and a rich young ruler who approached Him with a question about eternal life. The rich young ruler addressed Jesus as “Good Master” and asked what he must do to inherit eternal life.

In response, Jesus reminded the rich young ruler of the commandments. He listed several commandments from the Law of Moses, which the young man was likely familiar with. Let’s take a closer look at the commandments mentioned in this verse and their significance.

• 1. “Do not commit adultery”: This commandment, found in Exodus 20:14, prohibits sexual relations with someone other than one’s spouse. It emphasizes the importance of faithfulness and commitment within the bounds of marriage.
• 2. “Do not kill”: This commandment, from Exodus 20:13, prohibits the intentional and unjust taking of another person’s life. It affirms the sanctity of human life and the value God places on every individual.
• 3. “Do not steal”: Found in Exodus 20:15, this commandment forbids taking someone else’s property without permission. It teaches respect for personal belongings and highlights the importance of honesty and integrity.
• 4. “Do not bear false witness”: This commandment, from Exodus 20:16, instructs against giving false testimony or lying about others. It emphasizes the value of truthfulness, justice, and maintaining the integrity of legal proceedings.
• 5. “Honor thy father and thy mother”: This commandment, found in Exodus 20:12, emphasizes the importance of showing respect and obedience to parents. It recognizes the authority and role of parents in nurturing and guiding their children.

By mentioning these commandments, Jesus intended to highlight the moral principles of God’s law. However, it’s important to note that Jesus’ response to the rich young ruler was not merely about keeping the commandments. He wanted to reveal the ruler’s heart and expose his reliance on his own works for salvation.

After listing the commandments, Jesus went on to challenge the rich young ruler to sell all his possessions, give to the poor, and follow Him. This revealed the ruler’s attachment to his wealth and demonstrated that salvation cannot be achieved through human effort alone.

This passage reminds us that although keeping the commandments is important, it is not enough to earn eternal life. Salvation is a gift from God, and it comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus ultimately invites us to surrender our lives, including our possessions and ambitions, to Him and find true treasure in Him.