Luke 18:21 Meaning and Explanation
“And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The ruler replies that he has kept all these commandments since his youth.
What Does Luke 18:21 Mean?
The claim is sincere, and Jesus does not dispute it. Like Saul of Tarsus, who could call himself blameless concerning the law, this man has lived uprightly from boyhood — honest, faithful, dutiful. By every measure his community could see, he is a model of covenant life, admired and secure.
And still he is asking. A man at rest in his obedience would not be standing in the road pressing a traveling teacher about eternal life. His own heart already suspects what Jesus is about to confirm: something is lacking that rule-keeping has not supplied. Here is a portrait of religious success that has not yet become surrender — and knows it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 18:21
What does Luke 18:21 mean?
The ruler replies that he has kept all these commandments since his youth.