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.
Original Language Analysis
τὰς
G3588
τὰς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐντολὰς
the commandments
G1785
ἐντολὰς
the commandments
Strong's:
G1785
Word #:
2 of 19
injunction, i.e., an authoritative prescription
οἶδας·
Thou knowest
G1492
οἶδας·
Thou knowest
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
3 of 19
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
Μὴ
not
G3361
Μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
4 of 19
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
Μὴ
not
G3361
Μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
6 of 19
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
Μὴ
not
G3361
Μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
8 of 19
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
Μὴ
not
G3361
Μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
10 of 19
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
ψευδομαρτυρήσῃς
Do
G5576
ψευδομαρτυρήσῃς
Do
Strong's:
G5576
Word #:
11 of 19
to be an untrue testifier, i.e., offer falsehood in evidence
Τίμα
Honour
G5091
Τίμα
Honour
Strong's:
G5091
Word #:
12 of 19
to prize, i.e., fix a valuation upon; by implication, to revere
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατέρα
father
G3962
πατέρα
father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
14 of 19
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Romans 13:9For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.Ephesians 6:2Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does Jesus focus on the second table (duties to others) rather than the first table (duties to God)?
- What does Jesus's strategy of citing commandments the ruler claims to keep reveal about the law's purpose?
- How can external commandment-keeping coexist with internal heart idolatry?
Related Resources
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Analysis & 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).