Menu

Luke 18:18

Luke 18:18 in Multiple Translations

Then a certain ruler asked Him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

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

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

And a certain ruler put a question to him, saying, Good Master, what have I to do so that I may have eternal life?

One of the rulers came to Jesus and asked him, “Good Teacher, what do I have to do to inherit eternal life?”

Then a certaine ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what ought I to doe, to inherite eternall life?

And a certain ruler questioned him, saying, 'Good teacher, what having done — shall I inherit life age-during?'

A certain ruler asked him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

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

And a certain ruler asked him, saying: Good master, what shall I do to possess everlasting life?

A Jewish leader asked Jesus, “Good teacher, what shall I do in order to have eternal life?”

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

Enable Study Highlights
God & Jesus
Holy Spirit
Divine Actions
Repeated Words

Berean Amplified Bible — Luke 18:18

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Luke 18:18 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
GRK και επηρωτησεν τις αυτον αρχων λεγων διδασκαλε αγαθε τι ποιησας ζωην αιωνιον κληρονομησω
και kai G2532 and Conj
επηρωτησεν eperōtaō G1905 to question Verb-AAI-3S
τις tis G5100 one Indef-NSM
αυτον autos G846 it/s/he Pron-ASM
αρχων archōn G758 ruler Noun-NSM
λεγων legō G3004 to say Verb-PAP-NSM
διδασκαλε didaskalos G1320 teacher Noun-VSM
αγαθε agathos G18 good Adj-VSM
τι tis G5101 which? Interrog-ASN
ποιησας poieō G4160 to do/make: do Verb-AAP-NSM
ζωην zōē G2222 life Noun-ASF
αιωνιον aiōnios G166 eternal Adj-ASF
κληρονομησω klēronomeō G2816 to inherit Verb-FAI-1S
Greek Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

Use arrow keys to navigate between words.

Greek Word Reference — Luke 18:18

και kai G2532 "and" Conj
And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.
Definition: καί, conj., and __I. Copulative. __1. Connecting single words; __(a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. __(b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; __(with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. __2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. __(a) where, after the simplicity of the popular language, sentences are paratactically joined (WM, §60, 3; M, Pr., 12; Deiss., LAE, 128ff.): Mat.1:21, 7:25, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.10:3, al.; __(b) joining affirmative to negative sentences: Luk.3:14, Jhn.4:11, IIIJhn.10; __(with) consecutive, and so: Mat.5:1, 23:32, Heb.3:19, al.; after imperatives, Mat.4:19, Luk.7:7, al.; __(d) = καίτοι, and yet: Mat.3:14, 6:26, Mrk.12:12, Luk.18:7 (Field, Notes, 72), 1Co.5:2, al.; __(e) beginning an apodosis (= Heb. וְ; so sometimes δέ in cl.), then: Luk.2:21, 7:12, Act.1:10; beginning a question (WM, §53, 3a): Mrk.10:26, Luk.10:29, Jhn.9:36. __3. Epexegetic, and, and indeed, namely (WM, §53, 3c): Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:16, Act.23:6, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:5, al. __4. In transition: Mat.4:23, Mrk.5:1, 21, Jhn.1:19, al.; so, Hebraistically, καὶ ἐγένετο (וַי:הִי; also ἐγένετο δέ), Mrk.1:9 (cf. Luk.5:1; V. Burton, §§357-60; M, Pr., 14, 16). __5. καὶ . . . καί, both . . . and (for τε . . . καί, see: τε); __(a) connecting single words: Mat.10:28, Mrk.4:41, Rom.11:33, al.; __(b) clauses and sentences: Mrk.9:13, Jhn.7:28, 1Co.1:22, al. __II. Adjunctive, also, even, still: Mat.5:39, 40; Mrk.2:28, al. mult.; esp. with pron., adv., etc., Mat.20:4, Jhn.7:47, al; ὡς κ., Act.11:17; καθὼς κ., Rom.15:7; οὑτω κ., Rom.6:11; διὸ κ., Luk.1:35; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 313ff.), Act.13:9; pleonastically, μετὰ κ.. (Bl., §77, 7; Deiss., BS, 265f,), Php.4:3; τί κ., 1 Co 15:29; ἀλλὰ κ., Luk.14:22, Jhn.5:18, al.; καίγε (M, Pr., 230; Burton, §437), Act.17:27; καίπερ, Heb.5:8; κ. ἐάν, see: ἐάν. ἐάν, contr. fr. εἰ ἄν, conditional particle, representing something as "under certain circumstances actual or liable to happen," but not so definitely expected as in the case of εἰ with ind. (Bl., §65, 4; cf. Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:36), if haply, if; __1. with subjc. (cl.); __(a) pres.: Mat.6:22, Luk.10:6, Jhn.7:17, Rom.2:25, 26 al.; { __(b) aor. (= Lat. fut. pf.): Mat.4:9 16:26 (cf. ptcp. in Luk.9:25; M, Pr., 230), Mrk.3:24, Luk.14:34, Jhn.5:43, Rom.7:2, al.; = cl. εἰ, with opt., Jhn.9:22 11:57, Act.9:2; as Heb. אִם = ὅταν, Jhn.12:32 14:3, I Jhn.2:28 3:2, Heb.3:7" (LXX) . __2. C. indic, (as in late writers, fr. Arist. on; see WH, App., 171; VD, MGr. 2, App., §77; Deiss., BS, 201f., LAE, 155, 254; M, Pr., 168, 187; Bl., §65, 4); __(a) fut.: Mat.18:19 T, Luk.19:40, Act.7:7; __(b) pres.: 1Th.3:8 (see Milligan, in l.). __3. With other particles: ἐ. καί (Bl., §65, 6), Gal.6:1; ἐ. μή (M, Pr., 185, 187; Bl., l.with), with subjc. pres., Mat.10:13, 1Co.8:8, Jas.2:17, 1Jn.3:21; aor., Mat.6:15, Mrk.3:27, Jhn.3:3, Rom.10:15, Gal.1:8 2:16 (see Lft., Ellic., in ll.); ἐ. τε . . . ἐ. τε, [in LXX for אִם . . . אִם, Est.19:13, al.,] Rom.14:8. __4. = cl. ἄν (which see) after relat. pronouns and adverbs (Tdf., Pr., 96; WH, App., 173; M, Pr., 42f.; Bl., §26, 4; Mayser, 152f.; Deiss., BS, 202ff.): ὃς ἐ., Mat.5:19, Mrk.6:22, 23 Luk.17:32, 1Co.6:18, al.; ὅπου ἐ., Mat.8:19; ὁσάκις ἐ., Rev.11:6; οὗ ἐ., 1Co.16:6; καθὸ ἐ., 2Co.8:12; ὅστις ἐ., Gal.5:10. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.
επηρωτησεν eperōtaō G1905 "to question" Verb-AAI-3S
To question or seek information is what this word means, used by Jesus in Mark 11:29 and by the disciples in Luke 2:46.
Definition: ἐπ-ερωτάω, -ῶ [in LXX chiefly for שָׁאַל, also for דָּרַשׁ, etc. ;] __1. to in­quire of, consult, question: with accusative of person(s), Mrk.12:34, Luk.2:46, al.; with dupl. accusative, Mrk.7:17 11:29, Luk.20:40, al.; with accusative of person(s), before λέγων, Mat.12:18, Mrk.9:11; εἰ, Mrk.8:23, Luk.23:6, al.; ἐ. θεόν, Rom.10:20 (LXX). __2. In late Gk., to beg of, demand of: with accusative of person(s) and inf., Mat.16:1 (cf. ἐρωτάω; and see Cromer, 716) (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 58 NT verses. KJV: ask (after, questions), demand, desire, question See also: 1 Corinthians 14:35; Mark 8:27; Romans 10:20.
τις tis G5100 "one" Indef-NSM
This pronoun refers to a person or thing in a general sense, as seen in Luke 9:49 and John 11:1. It can mean someone, anyone, or anything. This term is often used to describe an unspecified individual or object.
Definition: τις, neut., τι, genitive, τινός, enclitic indefinite pron., related to interrog. τίς as πού, πως, ποτέ to ποῦ, πῶς, πότε. __I. As subst., __1. one, a certain one: Luk.9:49, Jhn.11:1, Act.5:25, al.; pl., τίνες, certain, some: Luk.13:1, Act.15:1, Rom.3:8, al. __2. someone, anyone, something, anything: Mat.12:29, Mrk.9:30, Luk.8:46, Jhn.2:25, Act.17:25, Rom.5:7, al.; = indef., one (French on), Mrk.8:4, Jhn.2:25, Rom.8:24, al.; pl., τινες, some, Mrk.14:4, al. __II. II. As adj., __1. a certain: Mat.18:12, Luk.1:5 8:27, Act.3:2, al.; with proper names, Mrk.15:21, Luk.23:26, al.; with genitive partit., Luk.7:19, al. __2. some: Mrk.16:[8], Jhn.5:14, Act.17:21 24:24, Heb.11:40, al. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 490 NT verses. KJV: a (kind of), any (man, thing, thing at all), certain (thing), divers, he (every) man, one (X thing), ought, + partly, some (man, -body, - thing, -what), (+ that no-)thing, what(-soever), X wherewith, whom(-soever), whose(-soever) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:15; 2 Corinthians 12:17; 1 Peter 2:19.
αυτον autos G846 "it/s/he" Pron-ASM
This pronoun refers to a person or thing, like 'he', 'she', or 'it'. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a person or thing, like in John 2:25 where it says 'he himself knew'.
Definition: αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). __1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); __(1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; MM, see word); __(2) emphatic, he, she, it (M, Pr., 86; Bl., §48, 1, 2, 7), Mat.1:21, 12:50, Luk.6:35, al.; pointing to some one as master (cl.), Mat.8:24, Mrk.4:38, al.; αὐ., καὶ αὐ. = οὗτος, ὁ δε (BL, §48, 1), Mat.14:2, Mrk.14:15, 44, Luk.1:22, 2:28, al. __2. In oblique cases (cl.), for the simple pron. of 3rd of person(s), he, she, it, Mat.7:9, 10:12, 26:44, al.; with ptcp. in genitive absol., Mat.9:18, Mrk.13:1, al. (for irreg. constructions, V. Bl., §74, 5); pleonastically after the relative (cf. Heb. אֲשֶׁר לוֹ; WM, 184ff.; Bl., §50, 4; MM, see word), Mrk.7:25, Rev.3:8, 7:2, al.; in constr. ad sensum, without proper subject expressly indicated, Mat.4:23, Act.8:5, 2Co.2:13, al.; genitive αὐτοῦ = ἐκείνου, Rom.11:11, 1Th.2:19, Tit.3:5, Heb.2:4. __3. ὁ, ἡ, τὸ αὐ., the same: Heb.1:12, 13:8; τὸ αὐ., ποιεῖν, Mat.5:46, 47, al.; φρονεῖν, Rom.12:16, 15:5, Php.2:2, al.; τὰ αὐ., Act.15:27, Rom.2:1, al.; κατὰ τὸ (τὰ) αὐ. (MM, see word), Act.14:1, Luk.6:23, al.; ἐπὶ τὸ αὐ., together (MM, see word), Mat.22:34, Act.1:15, al.; ἓν κ. τὸ αὐ., 1Co.11:5, 12:11; with dative (cl.), 1Co.11:5; with a noun, λόγος, Mrk.14:39; μέτρος, Php.1:30; πνεῦμα, 1Co.12:4. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 3773 NT verses. KJV: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 John 3:10; 1 Peter 1:3.
αρχων archōn G758 "ruler" Noun-NSM
A ruler or leader, like a chief or magistrate, is what this word means. Jesus is called a ruler in Revelation 1:5. It also refers to rulers of nations and judges.
Definition: ἄρχων, -οντος, ὁ (present ptcp. of ἄρχω), [in LXX for נָשִׂיא., רֹאשׁ, שַׂר, etc. ;] a ruler, chief: Jesus, Rev.1:5; rulers of nations, Mat.20:25, Act.4:26 7:35; magistrates, Act.23:5, Rom.13:3; judges, Luk.12:58, Act.7:27, 35 16:19; members of the Sanhedrin, Luk.14:1 23:13, 35 24:20, Jhn.3:1 7:26, 48 12:42, Act.3:17 4:5, 8 13:27 14:5; rulers of synagogues, Mat.9:18, 23, Luk.8:41 18:18; οἱ ἄ. τ. αἰῶνος τούτου, 1Co.2:6-8; of the devil: ἄ. τῶν δαιμονίων, Mat.9:34 12:24, Mrk.3:22, Luk.11:15; ὁ ἄ. τοῦ κόσμου, Jhn.12:31 14:30 16:11; ἄ. τ. ἐξουσίας τ. ἀέρος, Eph.2:2 (MM, see word; DB, iii, 838; Ext., 99 f; DCG, ii, 419; DCG, see word Archon).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 36 NT verses. KJV: chief (ruler), magistrate, prince, ruler See also: 1 Corinthians 2:6; John 14:30; Revelation 1:5.
λεγων legō G3004 "to say" Verb-PAP-NSM
This word means to say or speak, and it is used by Jesus and others in the New Testament to share teachings and tell stories. It appears in Matthew 9:34 and John 1:29.
Definition: λέγω, [in LXX very freq., chiefly for אמר; λέγει for נְאֻם, Gen.22:16, al. ;] __1. in Hom., to pick out, gather, reckon, recount. __2. In Hdt. and Att., to say, speak, affirm, declare: absol., Act.13:15, 24:10; before orat. dir., Mat.9:34, Mrk.3:11, Jhn.1:29, al.; before ὅτι recit., Mrk.3:21, Luk.1:24, Jhn.6:14, al.; accusative and inf., Luk.11:18, Jhn.12:29, al.; after another verb of speaking, προσφωνεῖν κ. λέγειν, Mat.11:17, al.; ἀπεκρίθη (ἐλάλησεν) λέγων (καὶ λέγει; Dalman, Words, 24 ff.), Mat.25:9, Mrk.3:33, 7:28, Luk.24:6, 7, al.; of unspoken thought, λ. ἐν ἑαυτῷ, Mat.3:9, Luk.3:8, al.; of writing, 2Co.8:8, Php.4:11, al.; λέγει ἡ γραφή, Rom.4:3, Jas.2:23, al.; with accusative of thing(s), Luk.8:8, 9:33, Jhn.5:34, al.; σὺ λέγεις (a non-committal phrase; Swete, Mk., 359, 369f.), Mat.27:11, Mrk.15:2, Luk.23:3, Jhn.18:37; with dative of person(s), before orat. dir., Mat.8:20, Mrk.2:17, al. mult.; id. before ὅτι, Mat.3:9, al.; with prep., πρός, μετά, περί, etc., Mrk.4:41, Jhn.11:56, Heb.9:5, al.; to mean (cl.), Mrk.14:71, Jhn.6:71, 1Co.10:29, al.; to call, name, Mrk.10:18; pass., Mat.9:9, Mrk.15:7, al (cf. ἀντι-, δια- (-μαι), προ-, συλ-λέγω). SYN.: λαλέω, which refers to the utterance, as λέγω to the meaning of what is said, its correspondence with thought (Tr., Syn., Ixxvi; Thayer, see word λαλέω). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 1988 NT verses. KJV: ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; Acts 6:2; Acts 19:3.
διδασκαλε didaskalos G1320 "teacher" Noun-VSM
This word means a teacher or instructor, like Jesus in John 3:2 or Jewish teachers in Luke 2:46. It is often used as a title of respect.
Definition: διδάσκαλος, -ου, ὁ (διδάσκω), [in LXX: Est.6:1, 2Ma.1:10 * ;] given as rendering of Heb. רַבִּי ,רַבּוֺן (NT, Ῥαββεί, Ῥαββουνεί which see); a teacher: Jhn.1:39 20:16; of Jewish teachers, Luk.2:46, Jhn.3:10, cf. Rom.2:20-21; of John Baptist, Luk.3:12; of Jesus, Jhn.3:2, 10 8:4 11:28 13:13-14, and often in Syn., most frequently in voc., as title of address, as Mat.8:19, Mrk.4:38; of Jesus by himself, Mat.23:8; of an apostle, 1Ti.2:7, 2Ti.1:11; of Christians, 1Co.12:28-29, Eph.4:11, Act.13:1, Jas.3:1; of false teachers, 2Ti.4:3 (Cremer, 181; DB, i, 609, iii, 294, iv, 691) SYN.: παιδευτής, q.v (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 57 NT verses. KJV: doctor, master, teacher See also: 1 Corinthians 12:28; Luke 20:21; Hebrews 5:12.
αγαθε agathos G18 "good" Adj-VSM
Good or beneficial, as seen in Luke 8:8 where it describes good soil producing a good crop. This word means something that is pleasant, useful, or morally good. In the Bible, it is used to describe things that are pleasing to God and beneficial to people.
Definition: ἀγαθός, -ή, -όν, [in LXX chiefly for טוֹב ;] in general, good, in physical and in moral sense, used of persons, things, acts, conditions, etc., applied to that which is regarded as "perfect in its kind, so as to produce pleasure and satisfaction, . . . that which, in itself good, is also at once for the good and the advantage of him who comes in contact with it" (Cremer, 3): γῆ, Luk.8:8; δένδρον, Mat.7:18; καρδία, Luk.8:15; δόσις, Jas.1:17; μέρις, Luk.10:42; ἔργον (frequently in Pl.), Php.1:6; ἐλπίς, 2Th.2:16; θησαυρός, Mat.12:35; μνεία, 1Th.3:6 (cf. 2Ma.7:20); as subst., τὸ ἀ, that which is morally good, beneficial, acceptable to God, Rom.12:2; ἐργάζεσθαι τὸ ἀ, Rom.2:10, Eph.4:28; πράσσειν, Rom.9:11, 2Co.5:10; διώκειν, 1Th.5:15; μιμεῖσθαι, III Jo 11; κολλᾶσθαι τῷ ἀ, Rom.12:9; ερωτᾶν περὶ τοῦ ἀ., Mat.19:17; διάκονος εἰς τὸ ἀ., Rom.13:4; τὸ ἀ. σου, thy favour, benefit, Phm 14; pl., τὰ ἀ., of goods, possessions, Luk.12:18; of spiritual benefits, Rom.10:15, Heb.9:11, 10:1. ἀ is opposite to πονηρός, Mat.5:45, 20:5; κακός, Rom.7:19; φαῦλος, Rom.9:11, 2Co.5:10 (cf. MM, VGT, see word). SYN.: καλός, δίκαιος. κ. properly refers to goodliness as manifested in form: ἀ. to inner excellence (cf. the cl. καλὸς κἀγαθός and ἐν καρδία κ. καὶ ἀ., Luk.8:15). In Rom.5:7, where it is contrasted with δ., ἀ. implies a kindliness and attractiveness not necessarily possessed by the δίκαιος, who merely measures up to a high standard of rectitude (cf. ἀγαθωσύνη). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 90 NT verses. KJV: benefit, good(-s, things), well See also: 1 Peter 2:18; Luke 16:25; 1 Peter 3:10.
τι tis G5101 "which?" Interrog-ASN
This interrogative pronoun is used to ask questions like who, which, or what, as seen in Matthew 3:7 and Mark 11:28. It seeks information about a person or thing. This term is essential in direct and indirect questions.
Definition: τίς, neut., τί, genitive, τίνος, interrog. pron., [in LXX for מָה ,מִי ;] in masc. and fem., who, which, what?; in neut., which, what?, used both in direct and in indirect questions. __I. I. As subst., __1. 1. masc., fem.: τίς; who, what?, Mat.3:7 26:68; Mrk.11:28, Luk.9:9, al. mult.; with genitive partit., Act.7:52, Heb.1:5, al; before ἐκ (= genitive partit.), Mat.6:27, Luk.14:28, Jhn.8:46; = ποῖος, Mrk.4:41 6:2, Luk.19:3, Act.17:19, al.; = πότερος (M, Pr., 77), Mat.21:31 27:17, Luk.22:27, al.; = ὅς or ὅστις (rare in cl.; cf. Bl., §50, 5; M, Pr., 93), Act.13:25. __2. Neut.: τί; what?, Mat.5:47 11:7, Mrk.10:3, al.; χάριν τίνος, 1Jn.3:12; διὰ τί, Mat.9:11, al.; εἰς τί, Mat.14:31, al.; elliptically, ἵνα τί (sc. γένηται), why, Mat.9:5, al.; τί οὖν, Rom.3:9 6:1, 15 1Co.14:15, al.; τί γάρ, Rom.3:3, Phi 1:18; τί ἐμοὶ (ὑμῖν) καὶ σοί, see: ἔγω. __II. As adj.: who? what? which?, Mat.5:46, Luk.14:31, Jhn.2:18, al. __III. As adv.: = διὰ τι (τί ὅτι), why, Mat.6:28, Mrk.4:40, Luk.6:46, Jhn.18:23, al.; in rhet. questions, = a negation, Mat.27:4, Jhn.21:22, 23 1Co.5:12 7:16, al. in exclamations (like Heb. מָה), how (2Ki.6:20, Psa.3:2, al.), Luk.12:49. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 514 NT verses. KJV: every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why See also: 1 Corinthians 2:11; Colossians 1:27; 1 Peter 1:11.
ποιησας poieō G4160 "to do/make: do" Verb-AAP-NSM
This word means to make or do something, and it's used in a very broad sense. It can mean to create, produce, or cause something to happen. In the Bible, it's often used to describe God's creative power, like in Matthew 19:4 and Mark 10:6.
Definition: ποιέω, -ῶ, [in LXX for a great variety of words, but chiefly for עשׂה ;] __1. to make, produce, create, cause: with accusative of thing(s), Mat.17:4, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.9:11, Act.9:39, Rom.9:20, al.; of God as Creator (with accusative of person(s) also), Mat.19:4, Mrk.10:6, Luk.11:40, Act.4:24, Heb.1:2, al.; like Heb. עשׂה, absol. = ἐργάζομαι, to work, Mat.20:12 (cf. Rut.2:19; so AV, but see infr.), Rev.13:5, R, mg. (but see infr.); σκάνδαλα, Rom.16:17; εἰρεήνην, Eph.2:15, Jas.3:18; ἐπίστασιν, Act.24:12; συστροφήν, Act.23:12; with accusative of thing(s) and dative of person(s), Luk.1:68, Act.15:3; with nouns expressing action or its accomplishment, forming a periphr. for the cogn. verb: ὁδόν π. (cl. ὁ ποιεῖσθαι), to go on, advance, Mrk.2:23; πόλεμον, Rev.11:7, al.; ἐκδίκησιν, Luk.18:7, 8; ἐνέδραν, Act.25:3; κρίσιν, Jhn.5:27, Ju 15; ἔργα, Jhn.5:36, al.; (σημεῖα), Jhn.2:23 and freq., Act.2:22, al.; so also mid. ποιεῖσθαι: μονήν, Jhn.14:23; πορείαν, Luk.13:22; κοινωνίαν, Rom.15:26; of food, to make ready, prepare: δεῖπνον, Mrk.6:21, al.; δοχήν, Luk.5:29 14:13; γάμους, Mat.22:2; of time, to spend (cl.): ὥραν, Mat.20:12, RV (but see supr. and cf. McN, in l.); μῆνας, Rev.13:5, R, txt. (cf. Swete, in l.; but see supr.); ἐνιαυτόν, Jas.4:13; with accusative before ἐκ, Jhn.2:15, al.; with accusative and accusative pred., Mat.3:3 12:16, Mrk.1:3 3:12, Jhn.5:11, al.; with adv., καλῶς, Mrk.7:37; ἑορτὴν π. (Dem., Exo.23:16, al.), Act.18:21, Rec.; πάσχα, Mat.26:18; to make or offer a sacrifice (Plat., Xen., al.; Job.42:8, 3Ki.11:33; so some understand τοῦτο ποιεῖτε, Luk.22:19, but see Abbott, Essays, 110ff.); before ἵνα (WM, 422f.; M, Pr., 228), Jhn.11:37, Col.4:16, Rev.3:9. __2. to do, perform, carry out, execute: absol., with adv., καλῶς π., Mat.12:12, 1Co.7:37, 38 Jas.2:19; id. before ptcp. (cl.; see M, Pr., 228), Act.10:33, Php.4:14, 2Pe.1:19, 3Jo.6; οὕτως, Mat.24:46, Luk.9:15, al.; ὡς (καθώς), Mat.1:24 2:16, al.; ὁμοίως, Luk.3:11; ὡσαύτως, Mat.20:5; with ptcp., ἀγνοῶν ἐποίησα, 1Ti.1:13; with accusative of thing(s): τί interrog., Mat.12:3, Mrk.2:25, Luk.6:2, al.; τοῦτο, Mat.13:28, Mrk.5:32, Luk.22:19 (WH om.; see supr., ref. to Abbott, Essays), Rom.7:20, al.; with nouns expressing command or regulation: τ. νόμον (not as in cl., to make a law), Jhn.7:19, Gal.5:3 (cf. in LXX, Jos.22:5, 1Ch.22:12, al.); τ. ἐντολάς, Mat.5:19; similarly with other nouns expressing conduct: τ. δικαιοσύνην, Mat.6:1, al.; τ. ἀλήθειαν, Jhn.3:21, al., etc.; with dupl. accusative, Mat.27:22, Mrk.15:12; with accusative of thing(s) and dative of person(s) (commod., incomm.; rare in cl.), Mat.7:12, Mrk.5:19, 20 Luk.1:49, Jhn.9:26, al. SYN.: πράσσω, which see The general distinction between the two words is that between particular action and its habitual performance (cf. Tr., Syn., §xcvi; Westc. on Jhn.3:21; ICC on Rom.1:32). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 519 NT verses. KJV: abide, + agree, appoint, X avenge, + band together, be, bear, + bewray, bring (forth), cast out, cause, commit, + content, continue, deal, + without any delay, (would) do(-ing), execute, exercise, fulfil, gain, give, have, hold, X journeying, keep, + lay wait, + lighten the ship, make, X mean, + none of these things move me, observe, ordain, perform, provide, + have purged, purpose, put, + raising up, X secure, shew, X shoot out, spend, take, tarry, + transgress the law, work, yield See also: 1 Corinthians 5:2; Acts 21:13; 1 Peter 2:22.
ζωην zōē G2222 "life" Noun-ASF
In the Bible, this word for life refers to both physical and spiritual existence, as seen in Luke 16:25 and Romans 5:10. It describes the life we have now and the life we'll have after rising from the dead. It's used to talk about the importance of living a good life.
Definition: ζωή, -ῆς, ἡ (ζάω), [in LXX chiefly for חַיִּים ;] life (in Hom., Hdt., = βίος, which see; later, existence, vita quâ vivimus, as distinct from βίος, vita quam vivimus; opposite to θάνατος); __1. of natural life: Luk.16:25, Act.8:33, 1Co.15:19, 1Ti.4:8, Heb.7:3, Jas.4:14; πνεῦμα ζωῆς, Rev.11:11; ψυχὴ ζωῆς ( Gen.1:30), Rev.16:3; of the life of one risen from the dead, Rom.5:10, Heb.7:16. __2. Of the life of the kingdom of God, the present life of grace and the life of glory which is to follow (Dalman, Words, 156ff.; Westc, Epp. Jo., 214ff.; Cremer, 272ff.): Jhn.6:51, 53 Rom.7:10 8:6, 10 Php.2:16, Col.3:4, 2Pe.1:3; αἰώνος (reff. supr.; DCG, i, 538a, ii, 30f.), Jhn.4:36 12:50 17:3, 1Jn.1:2, al.; τ. φῶς τῆς ζ., Jhn.8:12; ὁ Λόγος τ. ζ., 1Jn.1:1; ὁ ἄρτος τ. ζ., Jo 6:35, 48; δικαίωσις ζωῆς, Rom.5:18; μετάνοια εἰς ζ., Act.11:18; ἐν αὐτῷ ζ. ἦν, Jhn.1:4; ζ. ἡ ἐν. Χ. Ἰ., 2Ti.1:1; τὰ πρὸς ζωήν, 2Pe.1:3, al.; στέφανος τῆς ζ., Jas.1:12, Rev.2:10; χάρις ζωῆς (genitive expl.), 1Pe.3:7; ζ. καὶ εἰρήνη, Rom.8:6; ζ. καὶ ἀφθαρσία, 2Ti.1:10; ἀνάστασις ζωῆς, Jhn.5:29; βίβλος ζωῆς, Php.4:3, Rev.3:5; ξύλον ζωῆς, Rev.2:7; ὕδωρ ζωῆς, Rev.22:17; meton., of that which has life: τ. πνεῦμα, Rom.8:10; ῥήματα, Jhn.6:63; of one who gives life, Jhn.11:25 14:6, 1Jn.1:2; ἡ ἐντολή, Jhn.12:50. SYN.: see: βίος. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 127 NT verses. KJV: life(-time) See also: 1 Corinthians 3:22; John 6:68; 1 Peter 3:7.
αιωνιον aiōnios G166 "eternal" Adj-ASF
This word means something that lasts forever, like God's love. In Romans 16:26 and 2 Timothy 1:9, it talks about eternal things that will never end.
Definition: αἰώνιος, -ον (as usual in Attic), also -α, -ον. 2Th.2:16, Heb.9:12; (αἰών), [in LXX chiefly for עוֹלָם ;] age-long, eternal, __(a) of that which is without either beginning or end: Rom.16:26, Heb.9:14; __(b) of that which is without beginning: Rom.16:25, 2Ti.1:9, Tit.1:2; __(with) of that which is without end (MM, VGT, see word): σκηναί, Luk.16:9 οἰκία, 2Co.5:1; διαθήκη, Heb.13:20; εὐαγγέλιον, Rev.14:6; παράκλησις, 2Th.2:16; λύτρωσις, Heb.9:12; κληρονομία, ib. 15; κόλασις, Mat.25:46; κρίμα, Heb.6:2; κρίσις, Mrk.3:29; ὄλεθρον, 2Th.1:9; πῦρ, Mat.18:8; frequently with ζωή, which see SYN.: ἀΐδιος, which see (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 69 NT verses. KJV: eternal, for ever, everlasting, world (began) See also: 1 John 1:2; John 5:39; 1 Peter 5:10.
κληρονομησω klēronomeō G2816 "to inherit" Verb-FAI-1S
To inherit means to receive something as a gift or legacy, like in Galatians 4:30 where it talks about receiving an inheritance. This word is used to describe receiving a possession or a kingdom.
Definition: κληρονομέω, -ῶ (κληρονόμος) [in LXX chiefly for יָרַשׁ, also for נָחַל, etc. ;] __1. to receive by lot. __2. to inherit (in cl., usually with genitive of thing(s)): absol., Gal.4:30 (LXX); in general, to possess oneself of, receive as one's own, obtain (as Deu.4:5, al., cf. Psa.25:3, Isa.61:7): with accusative of thing(s) (as generally in late Gk., see M, Pr., 65), of the Messianic Kingdom (cf. Psa.37:11, Sir.4:13 37:26, and see Dalman, Words, 125 ff.) and its bless­ings and privileges, τ. γῆν, Mat.5:5 (cf. LXX); τ. βασιλείαν, β. θεοῦ, Mat.25:34, 1Co.6:9-10 15:50, Gal.5:21; ζωὴν αἰώνιον, Mat.19:29, Mrk.10:17, Luk.10:25 18:18; σωτηρίαν, Heb.1:14; τ. ἐπαγγελίας, Heb.6:12; ἀφθαρσίαν, 1Co.15:50; ὄνομα, Heb.1:4; τ. εὐλογίαν, Heb.12:17, 1Pe.3:9; ταῦτα, Rev.21:7 (cf. κατα-κληρονομέω).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 17 NT verses. KJV: be heir, (obtain by) inherit(-ance) See also: 1 Corinthians 6:9; Hebrews 6:12; 1 Peter 3:9.

Study Notes — Luke 18:18

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Mark 10:17–31 As Jesus started on His way, a man ran up and knelt before Him. “Good Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call Me good?” Jesus replied. “No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not cheat others, honor your father and mother.’ ” “Teacher,” he replied, “all these I have kept from my youth.” Jesus looked at him, loved him, and said to him, “There is one thing you lack: Go, sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me. ” But the man was saddened by these words and went away in sorrow, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” They were even more astonished and said to one another, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” Peter began to say to Him, “Look, we have left everything and followed You.” “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for My sake and for the gospel will fail to receive a hundredfold in the present age—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and fields, along with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
2 Acts 16:30 Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
3 Matthew 19:16–30 Just then a man came up to Jesus and inquired, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to obtain eternal life?” “Why do you ask Me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” “Which ones?” the man asked. Jesus answered, “‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” “All these I have kept,” said the young man. “What do I still lack?” Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” When the young man heard this, he went away in sorrow, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” “Look,” Peter replied, “we have left everything to follow You. What then will there be for us?” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for the sake of My name will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.
4 Ezekiel 33:31 So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain.
5 Acts 2:37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
6 Luke 6:46 Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ but not do what I say?
7 Luke 10:25–28 One day an expert in the law stood up to test Him. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” Jesus replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus said. “Do this and you will live.”
8 John 13:13–15 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, because I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example so that you should do as I have done for you.
9 Malachi 1:6 “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. But if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is your fear of Me?” says the LORD of Hosts to you priests who despise My name. “But you ask, ‘How have we despised Your name?’

Luke 18:18 Summary

This verse is about a ruler who wants to know how to get eternal life. He asks Jesus, who is the only one who can give true life, as promised in John 14:6. To inherit eternal life, we need to receive it as a gift from God, not by our own efforts, but by trusting in Jesus and following Him, as taught in Ephesians 2:8-9 and Romans 3:24. This means surrendering our pride and self-sufficiency, and coming to God with a humble and childlike heart, as Jesus taught in Matthew 18:3-4.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to inherit eternal life?

Inheriting eternal life means receiving the gift of eternal salvation and fellowship with God, as promised in John 3:16 and Romans 6:23, which is only possible through faith in Jesus Christ.

Why did the ruler call Jesus 'Good Teacher'?

The ruler called Jesus 'Good Teacher' as a sign of respect and admiration, but Jesus responded by saying that only God is truly good, emphasizing His divine nature and authority, as seen in Matthew 19:17 and Mark 10:18.

What is the significance of this ruler's question?

The ruler's question reveals his desire to know how to attain eternal life, which is a universal human longing, and Jesus' response will reveal the true nature of salvation and discipleship, as taught in Luke 9:23-25 and Matthew 16:24-26.

How does this verse relate to the previous verses about children and the kingdom of God?

This verse is connected to the previous verses because it shows that even a ruler, who might seem mature and self-sufficient, needs to receive the kingdom of God like a little child, as Jesus taught in Luke 18:17 and Matthew 18:3-4.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are my motivations for seeking eternal life, and am I willing to surrender my own efforts to receive it as a gift from God?
  2. How do I view Jesus - as a good teacher or as the Lord of my life, and what difference does that make in my daily decisions?
  3. In what ways can I receive the kingdom of God like a little child, with humility, trust, and dependence on God's grace?
  4. What are the obstacles in my life that might hinder me from inheriting eternal life, and how can I overcome them with God's help?

Gill's Exposition on 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

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Luke 18:18

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

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Luke 18:18

Ver. 18-27. We have met with this story at large, ; and with (if not the same) very like to it. . See Poole on "", and following verses to . See Poole on "", and following verses to . The history is of great use to us. 1. To show how far a man may go, that yet is a great way short of a truly good and spiritual state. He may know that nothing in this life will make him perfectly happy. He may desire eternal life, and salvation. He may go a great way in keeping the commandments of God, as to the letter of them. He may come to the ministers of the gospel to be further instructed. But herein he will fail, he will not come to Christ that he may have life, but fancy he should do something meritorious of it; he doth not aright understand the law, and that there is no going to heaven that way, but by the perfect observation of it, and therefore fancies himself in a much better state than he is. 2. It instructs us in this, that there is no coming to heaven by works, but by a full and perfect obedience to the whole revealed will of God. 3. That every hypocrite hath some lust or other, in which he cannot deny himself. This ruler’ s lust was his immoderate love of the world, and the things thereof. 4. That it is a mighty difficult thing for any persons, but especially such as have great possessions on earth, to get to heaven. 5. As difficult and almost impossible as it may appear to men, yet nothing is impossible with God. He can change the heart of the rich, and incline it to himself; as well as the, heart of the poor. The rich man hath more impediments; but be men rich or poor, without the powerful influence of God upon the heart, without his free grace, no soul will be saved.

Trapp's Commentary on Luke 18:18

18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? Ver. 18. And a certain ruler] St Mark, Mark 10:17, saith that this ruler came running, which argues his earnestness, and in a man of quality was unusual, for such walk softly for most part, and in state, Gressu grallatorio.

Ellicott's Commentary on Luke 18:18

(18-23) And a certain ruler asked him, . . .—See Notes on Matthew 19:16-25; Mark 10:17-22. St. Luke alone describes the inquirer as a “ruler.” As used without any defining genitive, and interpreted by Luke 23:13; Luke 23:35, John 3:1; John 7:26; John 7:48, et al., it seems to imply that he was a member of the Council or Sanhedrin. The term “youth,” in Matthew 19:20, is not at variance with this inference. It is defined by Philo as including the period between twenty-one and twenty-eight—an age at which a place in the Council was probably open to one who was commended both by his wealth and his devotion. St. Paul obviously occupied a position of great influence at a time when he is described as a “young man” (Acts 7:58).

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Luke 18:18

Verse 18. - 23. A certain ruler] See the case of this person largely explained on Matthew 19:16-22, and Mr 10:21-22.

Cambridge Bible on Luke 18:18

18-30. The Great Refusal. The Young Ruler who loved Riches more than Christ.18. a certain ruler] St Matthew (Matthew 19:20) only calls him “a young man.” He was probably the young and wealthy ruler of a synagogue. The touch added by St Mark (Luke 10:17), that he suddenly ran up and fell on his knees before Him, seems to imply that he was eager to catch the opportunity of speaking to Jesus before He started on a journey, probably the journey from the Peraean Bethany, beyond Jordan (John 10:41-42), to the Bethany near Jerusalem, to raise Lazarus.Good Master] This title was an impropriety, almost an impertinence; for the title ‘good’ was never addressed to Rabbis by their pupils. Therefore to address Jesus thus was to assume a tone almost of patronage. Moreover, as the young Ruler did not look on Jesus as divine, it was to assume a false standpoint altogether.what shall I do to inherit eternal life?] In St Matthew the question runs, ‘what good thing shall I do?’ Here, again, the young ruler betrays a false standpoint, as though ‘eternal life’ were to be won by quantitative works, or by some single act of goodness,—by doing and not by being. It was indeed the fundamental error of his whole class. Romans 9:32.

Sermons on Luke 18:18

SermonDescription
Francis Chan Lukewarm and Loving It! by Francis Chan In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of overcoming worldly desires and focusing on the treasure of God's kingdom. He refers to the book of Revelation, where those
Art Katz K-048 One Thing You Lack by Art Katz In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the deep attachment and love we can have for animals, which may ultimately be a love of self. He emphasizes the need to cut the cord on this
Ray Comfort Hell's Best Kept Secret (Spanish) by Ray Comfort In this sermon, the preacher uses a story of two men on a plane to illustrate the difference between a gospel focused on life enhancement and a gospel focused on salvation. The fir
Art Katz The Rich Young Ruler and the Blind Beggar by Art Katz In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the encounter between Jesus and the rich young ruler as described in Luke chapter 18. The speaker emphasizes that this encounter is not just
Jackie Pullinger Seers by Jackie Pullinger In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of seeing and taking action to help those in need. They highlight the need for spiritual and material wealth in order to give
John Piper Do Not Sell the Gospel by John Piper In this sermon, Pastor John Piper reflects on a message he heard 36 years ago about the story of the rich young ruler. The speaker emphasized the importance of letting go of worldl
Winkie Pratney Religious Without Being a Christian by Winkie Pratney In this sermon, the preacher discusses the parable of the sower, which is repeated three times by Jesus. He identifies three kinds of counterfeit conversion - the religion of fear,

Everything we make is available for free because of a generous community of supporters.

Donate