What is the meaning of Matthew 19:18? Which ones? The rich young man has just heard Jesus say, “If you want to enter life, keep the commandments” (Matthew 19:17). His follow-up—“Which ones?”—reveals two things: •A sincere desire to do whatever is required for eternal life. •A common tendency to treat God’s commands as a checklist, assuming some are optional or of greater weight than others. Jesus responds by naming commands that summarize love for neighbor (Romans 13:9; Galatians 5:14). By directing the man to well-known commandments, Jesus affirms the unchanging moral law while exposing the man’s incomplete understanding of true righteousness (James 2:10). Do not murder “Do not murder.” (Matthew 19:18) •This echoes Exodus 20:13 and Deuteronomy 5:17. •Scripture broadens the scope beyond the physical act: “Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer” (1 John 3:15). •Genesis 9:6 grounds the prohibition in the image of God; each life carries divine worth. •When Jesus selects this command, He reminds the seeker that eternal life involves honoring that divine image in every person, not merely avoiding homicide but guarding the heart against anger (Matthew 5:21-22). Do not commit adultery “Do not commit adultery.” (Matthew 19:18) •Taken straight from Exodus 20:14. •Adultery violates the covenant picture of Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:31-32). •Jesus intensifies the command: “Everyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). •The call is to purity of heart, preserving marriage, and modeling God’s faithfulness (Malachi 2:15-16; Hebrews 13:4). Do not steal “Do not steal.” (Matthew 19:18) •From Exodus 20:15. •Stealing disregards God’s provision and the rights of others (Ephesians 4:28). •Leviticus 19:13 links theft to injustice; restitution is required (Exodus 22:1-4). •Believers move from taking to giving, reflecting Christ’s generosity (Acts 20:35). Do not bear false witness “Do not bear false witness.” (Matthew 19:18) •Rooted in Exodus 20:16, originally addressing courtroom testimony but encompassing all deceit (Proverbs 6:16-19). •God’s nature is truth (Numbers 23:19; John 14:6); lying aligns with the devil (John 8:44). •Ephesians 4:25 calls the church to “speak the truth each to his neighbor” because we are members of one another. •Integrity protects community, safeguards justice, and mirrors the faithfulness of God (Psalm 15:1-2). summary In Matthew 19:18 Jesus answers the rich young man’s “Which ones?” by listing commandments that govern our relationships with people. Each command reflects the larger principle of loving one’s neighbor and exposes the heart, showing that eternal life is not earned by external compliance but revealed through inward transformation that only God can accomplish (Matthew 19:25-26). |
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