Matthew 19:18
He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Jesus doesn't just list rules; He focuses on the second half of the Ten Commandments, the ones dealing with how we treat others. This isn't a mistake; it’s a strategic move to reveal that true obedience isn't just about grand religious gestures, but about the very fabric of our relationships.
A wealthy young man has just asked Jesus what he must do to gain eternal life, assuming his outward actions are the key. Jesus first directs him to the commandments, and the young man confidently claims he has kept them all. Jesus then reveals a deeper layer, pointing to the commandments that govern our outward behavior toward others as a test of this young man's claim.
The young man thought he had a golden ticket to eternal life. Jesus turned it into a diagnostic test.
When the young man asks Jesus, 'Which ones?' about the commandments, he's expecting a checklist. He wants to know the specific actions that will earn him eternal life. Jesus, however, doesn't just list rules; he starts a process of revealing the young man's heart. By quoting commandments from the second half of the Decalogue (the ones related to how we treat others), Jesus is setting up a deeper challenge. These aren't just external actions; they point to internal attitudes and desires. This isn't about earning salvation through perfect obedience, but about understanding that true obedience flows from a transformed heart and that no one, on their own, can perfectly keep these laws.
Why did Jesus skip the 'love God' commands and go straight to 'don't murder' and 'don't steal'?
Jesus' choice to list commandments concerning our neighbors, rather than those concerning our direct relationship with God, is strategic. The scholars note that these outward actions are often more telling of a person's true state. While piety towards God is crucial, our actions towards others are frequently easier to assess and reveal hidden issues. For this young man, it wasn't about what he thought about God, but about what he was willing to do and give up for others. Jesus is probing for sincerity, and often, our attachments – or lack thereof – to other people, possessions, and principles become the clearest indicators of where our ultimate loyalty lies.
Understand the original words
phoneuō · Greek Verb
The intentional, malicious taking of a human life, which is created in the image of God. It is forbidden as a fundamental violation of the sixth commandment.
moicheuō · Greek Verb
Sexual intimacy outside of the covenant of marriage. It is condemned in Scripture as a betrayal of the covenant relationship and a violation of the sanctity of marriage.
kleptō · Greek Verb
To take the property or rights of another person without permission. It is prohibited as an act that violates trust and fails to respect the neighbor’s God-given provision.
pseudomartyreō · Greek Verb
To speak untruthfully against another, often in a legal or communal setting. This violates God's truthfulness and harms the neighbor by undermining their reputation or legal standing.
This passage contains the Ten Commandments that Jesus is referencing, showing the direct source of these moral obligations from God to Moses.
Leviticus 19:18Jesus highlights the command to 'love your neighbor as yourself,' which encompasses the specific prohibitions he lists, illustrating the underlying principle of these commands.
Romans 13:9Paul echoes Jesus' teaching by stating that all the commandments are summarized in 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself,' reinforcing the connection between these specific prohibitions and the broader command of love.
Matthew 5:21-28In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus expands on the meaning of these commandments, showing that they extend beyond outward actions to the inner thoughts and motivations of the heart.
Matthew 22:36-40This passage records a similar question asked to Jesus about the greatest commandment, where he again emphasizes love for God and love for neighbor as the summation of the law.
barnesMatthew 19:18: "He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,"
He saith unto him, Which? - In reply to the inquiry of the young man, Jesus directed him to the sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and fifth Exodus 20:12-16 , as containing the substance of the whole - as containing particularly what he intended to show him that he had not kept. See notes at Matthew 5:21 , Matthew 5:27 . Jesus said,…
calvinMatthew 19:16-22: "And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?"
- And, lo, one came and said to him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17. Who said to him, Why callest thou me good? There is none good but God alone? [614] but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 18. He saith to him, Which? And Jesus said, Thou shalt not murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not…
Jesus doesn't just list rules; He focuses on the second half of the Ten Commandments, the ones dealing with how we treat others. This isn't a mistake; it’s a strategic move to reveal that true obedience isn't just about grand religious gestures, but about the very fabric of our relationships.
A wealthy young man has just asked Jesus what he must do to gain eternal life, assuming his outward actions are the key. Jesus first directs him to the commandments, and the young man confidently claims he has kept them all. Jesus then reveals a deeper layer, pointing to the commandments that govern our outward behavior toward others as a test of this young man's claim.
A wealthy young man has just asked Jesus what he must do to gain eternal life, assuming his outward actions are the key. Jesus first directs him to the commandments, and the young man confidently claims he has kept them all. Jesus then reveals a deeper layer, pointing to the commandments that govern our outward behavior toward others as a test of this young man's claim.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Matthew 19:18 is available in the Sola app.
"He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness," — Jesus doesn't just list rules; He focuses on the second half of the Ten Commandments, the ones dealing with how we treat others. This isn't a mistake; it’s a strategic move to reveal that true obedie…
