Luke 18:18-30

Expanded Bible

A Rich Man’s Question^(A)

¹⁸ A certain ·leader [ruler] asked Jesus, “Good Teacher, what must I do to ·have life forever [^Linherit eternal life]?”

¹⁹ Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? ·Only God is good [^LNo one is good except one—God; ^CJesus is not denying his own divinity, but is challenging the man’s understanding of goodness]. ²⁰ You know the commands: ‘You must not ·be guilty of [commit] adultery. You must not murder anyone. You must not steal. You must not ·tell lies [testify falsely] about your neighbor. Honor your father and mother [Ex. 20:12–16; Deut. 5:16–20].’”

²¹ But the leader said, “I have ·obeyed [kept carefully; guarded] all these commands since ·I was a boy [my youth].”

²² When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “There is still one more thing you ·need to do [lack]. Sell everything you have and give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me.” ²³ But when the man heard this, he became very sad, because he was ·very [extremely] rich.

²⁴ ·Jesus looked at him and [or When Jesus saw this reaction, he] said, “·It is very hard [^LHow hard it is…!] for ·rich people [^Lthose who have wealth] to enter the kingdom of God. ²⁵ [^LFor; Indeed] 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 [^Cmeaning it is impossible, by human effort; see v. 27].”

Who Can Be Saved?

²⁶ When the people heard this, they asked, “Then who can be saved?”

²⁷ Jesus answered, “The things impossible ·for people [humanly speaking] are possible for God.”

²⁸ Peter said, “Look, we have left ·everything [or our possessions; or our home] and followed you.”

²⁹ Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, all those who have left houses, wives, brothers [or siblings], parents, or children ·for [for the sake of] the kingdom of God ³⁰ will get much more in this ·life [age; ^Ltime]. And in the ·age [aeon; world] that is coming, they will have ·life forever [eternal life].”