Jesus and the Rich Young Ruler (Luke 18:18-30)
What Did Jesus Say to the Rich Young Ruler?
Jesus told the rich young ruler to sell all his possessions, give the money to the poor, and follow Him (Luke 18:22). This challenge exposed the ruler’s attachment to wealth, revealing that he valued his riches more than a relationship with God. When the man walked away sorrowful, Jesus commented on how difficult it is for the wealthy to enter the kingdom of God, emphasizing that salvation is only possible through God’s power (Luke 18:24-27).
Introduction
The encounter between Jesus and the rich young ruler in Luke 18:18-30 serves as a profound teaching moment about the dangers of wealth, the cost of discipleship, and the radical call to follow Christ. The story captures the tension between human desire for security, status, and wealth, and the call to surrender all for the sake of the kingdom of God. In this passage, we see a young man, eager to inherit eternal life, but ultimately unwilling to part with his possessions when confronted with the true cost of following Jesus. This passage forces us to examine our own priorities and challenges our understanding of what it means to follow Jesus.
What the Bible Says About Wealth or What Jesus Said About Money
Wealth is a recurring theme in Scripture, and while the Bible does not condemn money or material blessings outright, it frequently warns against the love of money and its potential to draw our hearts away from God. The Bible acknowledges that wealth can be a blessing, a tool for good, and a means of fulfilling God’s will on earth. For instance, Proverbs 3:9-10 encourages us to honor the Lord with our wealth, which in turn leads to blessings and provision. Similarly, wealth can enable us to serve others, fund the work of the gospel, and provide for those in need (Matthew 25:35-40). In this sense, wealth is not inherently evil; it is how we handle it and the place we allow it to occupy in our hearts that matters.
At the same time, Scripture makes clear the dangers of wealth. Jesus often spoke of the potential for riches to lead us astray. In Luke 12:15, He warned, “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” Jesus knew that wealth could easily become an idol, filling the heart with false security and pride. The rich fool in Luke 12:16-21 is a prime example of this danger—his wealth lulled him into complacency and self-reliance, neglecting his need for God and his responsibility toward others. Jesus’ words in Luke 18:25, where He says, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God,” underscore how the love of wealth can create spiritual blindness, making it difficult to see one’s need for God. Jesus also took up this topic with the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus.
Ultimately, wealth presents a choice between two paths: the path of generosity, humility, and dependence on God, or the path of greed, self-reliance, and spiritual isolation. Jesus calls His followers to store up treasures in heaven, not on earth (Matthew 6:19-21), and to recognize that true riches lie in relationships with God and others, not in material possessions.
Verse by Verse Breakdown of The Rich Young Ruler (Luke 18:18-30) and Commentary
Luke 18:18
“A certain ruler asked Him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’”
In this first verse, we are introduced to the rich young ruler, who approaches Jesus with a seemingly sincere question about eternal life. The title “Good Teacher” reflects the ruler’s respect and perhaps a desire for spiritual insight. Yet, the question itself—“What must I do to inherit eternal life?”—implies that he believes there is something he can do to earn salvation, as if it were a matter of actions or achievements. This reflects a common misunderstanding, both in Jesus’ time and ours, that eternal life is obtained through human effort or merit. Jesus, however, will soon challenge this misconception by showing that salvation is not about human works but divine grace.
Read more, “Answering ‘What Must I Do to Go to Heaven?’”
Luke 18:19
“Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.’”
Jesus’ response is striking: He redirects the ruler’s use of the word “good” by pointing to the fact that true goodness belongs to God alone. This rhetorical question serves to challenge the ruler’s understanding of goodness and invites him to recognize Jesus’ divine nature. Jesus is subtly inviting the ruler to reconsider Jesus’ identity, suggesting that if he is truly “Good,” he must be God. Jesus is not denying his goodness but rather using this moment to point the ruler toward the deeper truth—that he is the Son of God, and eternal life is only possible through him. And, if the ruler thinks Jesus is good and divine, then surely the ruler must agree that what Jesus says is binding.
Luke 18:20
“You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother.’”
In this verse, Jesus lists five commandments that relate to human relationships—specifically to loving one’s neighbor. These commands are taken from the second half of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:12-16), and Jesus presents them to the ruler as a reminder of the moral standard. By quoting these specific commandments, Jesus is not suggesting that they alone are sufficient for eternal life, but rather that the ruler must examine whether he has truly lived up to the ethical demands of God’s law. Jesus implies that the ruler, though outwardly righteous, may be missing something deeper in his heart.
Luke 18:21
“He replied, ‘I have kept all these since my youth.’”
The ruler’s response reveals his confidence in his moral and religious observance. He claims to have kept the commandments from a young age, suggesting that he has lived a righteous life, at least externally. This attitude may reflect a false sense of security—believing that outward compliance with the law is sufficient for eternal life. It is at this point that Jesus will expose the deeper, hidden need in the ruler’s life. While the ruler’s outward actions may be commendable, his heart is not yet aligned with the true call to discipleship.
Jesus addresses the issue between outward actions and inward realities in the following:
The Pharisee and the Tax Collector in (Luke 18:9-14)
The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31)
The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) Though he may appear righteous, the older brother’s resentment reveals that he relates to his dad in a transactional way.
The Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-21)
Jesus Condemns Hypocrisy (Luke 12:1-3)
Woes to the Pharisees and Lawyers (Luke 11:37-52)
The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)
Clean and Unclean (Luke 6:43-45)
Luke 18:22
“When Jesus heard this, He said to him, ‘There is still one thing lacking. Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’”
In this pivotal moment, Jesus addresses the one thing that the ruler lacks: a complete surrender of his wealth. The rich young ruler’s attachment to his possessions is preventing him from fully following Jesus. Jesus calls him to sell everything, give the proceeds to the poor, and then follow him. This command is radical, but it cuts to the heart of discipleship. Jesus is not saying that wealth is inherently sinful, but that wealth can become an idol—a barrier to total dependence on God. For the ruler, his riches are his security, and Jesus is calling him to trust fully in God’s provision, not in his own possessions.
Luke 18:23
“But when he heard this, he became very sad, for he was very rich.”
The ruler’s reaction is telling. Despite his initial eagerness to inherit eternal life, he is unable to let go of his wealth. His sadness reveals the inner conflict: the desire for eternal life versus the love of material comfort and security. His wealth has become a stumbling block, preventing him from following Jesus fully. This moment highlights the difficulty of surrendering what we hold most dear in this life, especially when it stands in the way of our relationship with God.
Luke 18:24-25
“Jesus looked at him and said, ‘How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’”
Jesus then turns to make a profound statement about the difficulty of wealth and the kingdom of God. The image of a camel passing through the eye of a needle is an exaggeration, illustrating the impossibility of a rich person entering the kingdom without a radical change of heart. Wealth often leads to self-reliance and pride, making it difficult for people to recognize their need for God. The rich ruler’s attachment to his wealth is a barrier to the kingdom of God, and Jesus highlights this as a universal truth.
Luke 18:26-27
“Those who heard it said, ‘Then who can be saved?’ He replied, ‘What is impossible for mortals is possible for God.’”
The disciples are astonished by Jesus’ words and ask, “Who then can be saved?” If the rich, who were thought to be blessed by God, have such difficulty entering the kingdom, then who has hope? Jesus’ reply shifts the focus to God’s power. Salvation is not possible through human effort or wealth, but only through God’s grace. This reminder is crucial: salvation is a gift, not something earned by human ability or status.
Luke 18:28
“Then Peter said, ‘Look, we have left our homes and followed you.’”
Peter, ever the spokesman for the disciples, points out that they have already given up everything to follow Jesus. His statement reflects a concern about the cost of discipleship and whether they, too, will receive the same promises that Jesus has given to others. Peter’s words reveal the tension between the human desire for reward and the call to selflessness in following Jesus.
Luke 18:29-30
“And He said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not get back very much more in this age and in the age to come eternal life.’”
Jesus assures Peter and the disciples that their sacrifice will not be in vain. Those who leave everything for the sake of the kingdom of God will receive much more—both in this life and in the life to come. The “very much more” refers to the blessings and rewards of being part of God’s kingdom. However, these rewards are not necessarily material wealth, but rather spiritual fulfillment, fellowship with God and people, and eternal life. Jesus emphasizes that the sacrifices made for the kingdom are never in vain.
Luke 18:18-30 Meaning for Today
The story of the rich young ruler confronts us with the challenge of wealth and discipleship. It calls us to examine our own hearts and ask: What are we unwilling to give up in order to follow Jesus? While Jesus does not condemn wealth in itself, he warns that it can become a powerful barrier to the kingdom of God. Our security, identity, and comfort can easily become idols if we are not careful. This passage reminds us that discipleship requires total surrender—surrender of our possessions, our desires, and our pride. The radical call to forsake all for the kingdom of God challenges us to trust fully in God’s provision, knowing that the rewards of eternal life far outweigh anything we could possess in this world.
FAQ: The Rich Young Ruler (Luke 18:18-30)
1. Who was the rich young ruler in Luke 18?
The rich young ruler was a wealthy man who approached Jesus, asking what he must do to inherit eternal life. He claimed to have kept God’s commandments but struggled when Jesus told him to give up his riches and follow Him (Luke 18:18-23).
2. What did Jesus mean when He said, ‘Sell all you have and give to the poor’?
Jesus was exposing the ruler’s heart—his wealth had become an idol. By asking him to sell everything, Jesus revealed that the man’s trust was in his riches rather than in God (Luke 18:22). This command was not a universal rule but a test of faith for this particular man.
3. Why did the rich young ruler walk away sad?
The young man left sorrowful because he was unwilling to part with his wealth. His response showed that, despite outward obedience to God’s law, his heart was still attached to material possessions more than to God (Luke 18:23).
4. What did Jesus mean by ‘It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle’?
Jesus used hyperbole to illustrate how difficult it is for the wealthy to enter God’s kingdom. Riches can create a false sense of security and self-sufficiency, making it hard to rely fully on God (Luke 18:24-25). However, Jesus reassured that salvation is possible with God (Luke 18:27).
5. Does this passage mean that wealth is evil?
No, Jesus did not condemn wealth itself, but rather the love of wealth (Luke 16:13). Money can be used to glorify God and help others, but it becomes dangerous when it replaces our trust in Him.
6. What promise did Jesus give to those who sacrifice for the kingdom of God?
Jesus assured His disciples that those who leave behind worldly things for His sake will receive blessings in this life and eternal life in the age to come (Luke 18:29-30). True riches are found in following Christ.
