Matthew 19:18 (KJV)

What does Matthew 19:18 mean?

Matthew 19:18 records Jesus listing several commandments in response to a man asking which rules he should follow to have eternal life. Jesus specifically names commandments about not murdering, not committing adultery, not stealing, and not giving false testimony.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to a man often called the "rich young ruler," who wants to know what good thing he must do to gain eternal life. Jesus responds by pointing to well-known commandments from the Law of Moses, focusing on those that deal with how people treat each other. This sets the stage for a deeper conversation about what it truly means to follow God.

The Greek behind Matthew 19:18

• "μὴ φονεύσῃς" (mē phoneusēs, "do no murder"): The Greek word for murder here is specific, emphasizing the act of unlawfully taking a life, not just any kind of killing.
• "μὴ μοιχεύσῃς" (mē moicheusēs, "do not commit adultery"): This word refers directly to breaking the marriage bond, highlighting faithfulness in relationships.
• "μὴ κλέψῃς" (mē klepsēs, "do not steal"): The Greek term covers taking what does not belong to you, reinforcing respect for others' property.
• "μὴ ψευδομαρτυρήσῃς" (mē pseudomarturēsēs, "do not bear false witness"): This phrase means giving dishonest testimony, especially in legal settings, underlining the importance of truthfulness.

Why Matthew 19:18 matters

• This verse shows that Jesus points to the commandments about how we treat other people, not just religious rituals, as central to living rightly.
• By listing these specific commands, Jesus emphasizes the ongoing importance of the moral law in relationships with others.
• The verse connects to the larger conversation, where Jesus will challenge the man to go beyond rule-keeping to a deeper commitment, preparing the reader for what comes next.