Luke 18:20You know the commandments: 'Don't commit adultery,' 'Don't murder,' 'Don't steal,' 'Don't give false testimony,' 'Honor your father and your mother.'"
The setting
Jesus lists five of the Ten Commandments to a wealthy ruler who thinks he can earn eternal life. The crowd watches this theological examination unfold. Modern-day West Bank, Palestine.
The emotion here: patient teacher, knowing this approach won't be enough
The original word
entolē (ἐντολή) — divine command with authority, not mere suggestion but binding law from God
Why it matters
Jesus deliberately omitted 'don't covet' — the one commandment this rich man was clearly breaking
Read with care
What most readers miss in Luke 18:20
Jesus lists the 'horizontal' commandments about relationships with people, not the 'vertical' ones about relationship with God
Common misconceptionPeople think Jesus is saying you can earn salvation by keeping commandments, but he's actually showing the man that rule-keeping isn't enough.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Luke 18:20
Bible Genome reading
Luke 18:20 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Luke 18:20 comes from the book of Luke, written during the gospel period. These words are attributed to Jesus. The dominant emotion in this verse is worship, with a comfort power of 30% and a tone that is reflective. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include commandments, obedience. Notable phrases: You know the commandments; Don't commit adultery. This verse contains a command.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same worship
“Hear, Israel: Yahweh is our God; Yahweh is one:”
— Deuteronomy 6:4
“and you shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.”
— Deuteronomy 6:5
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:”
— Ecclesiastes 3:1
“Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.”
— John 14:6
“Jesus said to them, "Most certainly, I tell you, before Abraham came into existence, I AM."”
— John 8:58
Your reflection
What does Luke 18:20 mean to you, today?
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