And Jesus said unto him ,.... In answer to his question, beginning with the character he gave him: why callest thou me good ? it being unusual to address men, even their Rabbins, under such a title: none is good, save one, that is , God : or "but God alone"; as the Vulgate Latin and Arabic versions render it; or, "but the one God", as read the Syriac, Persic, and Ethiopic versions; See Gill on Matthew 19:17 . read more
Thou knowest the commandments ,.... The ten commandments given to Moses, and delivered to people; and which they were careful to teach their children; though five are only here mentioned, and not in the order in which they stand: suggesting hereby that these must be kept, or the law must he fulfilled, and satisfaction made for the violation of it, or there can be no inheriting eternal life. The five commandments mentioned are, the seventh, sixth, eighth, ninth, and fifth: do not commit... read more
And he said ,.... That is, the ruler said to him, as the Syriac and Ethiopic versions add; "to Jesus", as the Persic version expresses it; all these have I kept from my youth up ; See Gill on Matthew 19:20 where it is added, what lack I yet? read more
Now when Jesus heard these things ,.... That he had kept all these commandments, and that ever since he was a child, and to that very time: he said unto him, yet lackest thou one thing ; not but that he lacked many other things, and even every thing: for he had performed no one thing as it should be: but Christ said, partly in answer to his pert question, "what lack I yet?" and partly by an ironical concession, granting he had kept them all, as he had said, yet one thing was wanting; and... read more
And when he heard this ,.... That one thing was wanting, and what that was, which was to part with all his worldly substance, and follow Christ; he was very sorrowful, for he was very rich ; See Gill on Matthew 19:22 . read more
And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful ,.... As he might, by his looks and gestures; and perceived that he was determined not to part with his possessions, and follow him: he said to his disciples, how hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God ! embrace the Gospel, and submit to the ordinances of it; deny themselves, part with their worldly substance for the cause of Christ, and interest of religion. Riches, which should be a reason for, are often a bar unto... read more
For it is easier for a camel ,.... These words were spoken to the disciples again, and were a second address to them, after they had shown astonishment at the former; See Gill on Matthew 19:24 and See Gill on Mark 10:24 . read more
And they that heard it, said, who then can be saved? These were the disciples of Christ, who so said; see Matthew 19:25 . read more
And he said ,.... That is, Jesus, as the Syriac, Persic, and Ethiopic versions express it: the things which are impossible with men, are possible with God ; See Gill on Matthew 19:26 . read more
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John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 18:18
And a certain ruler asked him ,.... A young man, Matthew 19:20 a ruler among the Jews, a civil magistrate, and a very rich man; he ran after Jesus, and overtook him in the way, as he was going towards Jericho, Mark 10:17 saying, good master ; "Rabbi"; or doctor, what shall I do to inherit eternal life ? See Gill on Matthew 19:16 . read more