Luke 18:20 (KJV)

What does Luke 18:20 mean?

Luke 18:20 lists several of the Ten Commandments, reminding the listener of basic moral laws: do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, do not bear false witness, and honor your father and mother. The verse shows Jesus pointing someone back to these well-known commandments as a standard for good behavior.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to a man who has asked what he must do to inherit eternal life. Instead of giving a new teaching, Jesus first refers to commandments from the Hebrew Scriptures that the man would already know. This sets up the conversation for what comes next, where Jesus will challenge the man further about what it truly means to follow God.

The Greek behind Luke 18:20

• "knowest" (οἶδας, oidas): This Greek word means "you know" or "you are aware," emphasizing that Jesus expects the man to already be familiar with these commandments.
• "commandments" (ἐντολάς, entolas): This word refers to authoritative instructions or orders, specifically pointing to the well-known laws given by God.
• "not" (μὴ, mē): This is the standard Greek word for negation, used repeatedly to stress the prohibitive nature of these commands ("do not...").
• "Honour" (τίμα, tima): This verb means to value, respect, or show proper regard, especially toward one's parents, highlighting the importance of family relationships in the commandments.

Why Luke 18:20 matters

• Luke 18:20 clarifies that Jesus did not dismiss the moral law but affirmed its ongoing importance as a foundation for right living.
• The verse shows that Jesus starts with what is familiar and accepted before moving to deeper spiritual issues, helping the listener recognize his own limitations.
• By listing these specific commandments, Luke 18:20 connects Jesus' teaching to the broader biblical story and the ethical expectations God has for his people.