The Bible Text (Luke 18:18-27)

And a certain ruler questioned Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. “You know the commandments, ‘DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, DO NOT MURDER, DO NOT STEAL, DO NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS, HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER.’” And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.” And when Jesus heard this, He said to him, “One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess, and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when he had heard these things, he became very sad; for he was extremely rich. And Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! “For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” And they who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” But He said, “The things impossible with men are possible with God.” (Luke 18:18-27, NASB).

An Introduction (Luke 18:18-27)

The contrast between having or not having eternal life is startling. It seems that the problem of the self-righteous, “I don’t need Jesus” attitude, is more of a problem than one whom loses faith. Jesus again is tackling this topic.

This person featured here, however, does not compare himself favorably with others (as in Luke 18:9-14), though he might have that problem, but has a distorted view of God’s standard. He thinks well of himself because he believes he serves God well. As we continue on from this section up to verse 34, we will find that the disciples again are being seen as people like this. They were the prideful ones!

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The Bible Study Questions (Luke 18:18-27)

• Who was talking to Jesus in Luke 18:18? What did he ask Jesus at that point?

• How would you answer the question if someone asked you, “What shall i do to obtain eternal life?”

• How did Jesus answer him (Luke 18:19-20)? (There are two parts to this answer though connected.)

• What was Jesus getting at by questioning why the ruler called Jesus a good teacher?

• Do you think think that the Ten Commandments Jesus here lists reveals God’s holiness? Explain?

• Which commands did Jesus mention? Which did He leave out (compare Exodus 20)?

• How did the ruler reply to Jesus in Luke 18:21?

• Jesus wasn’t impressed. What area of life did Jesus challenge the ruler with in verse 22?

• How did the ruler respond this time (18:22)? How was this response different? Why so?

• How did Jesus summarize the problem of the ruler in 18:24-25?

• What does Jesus mean by ‘a camel going through the eye of a needle’ (Luke 18:25)? Is it true?

• The man was highly respected for his values. How did the people respond to Jesus’ conclusion (Luke 18:26)?

• What did Jesus mean by saying, “The things impossible with men are possible with God” (18:27)? Do you know of a rich man that is saved? How did it happen?

“The things impossible with men are possible with God” (Luke 18:27).

The Application Questions (Luke 18:18-27)

Would you consider yourself a good person? Are you good enough to gain favor with God? How do you know? What if God pointed out some deficient area of your life? Would you quickly respond in repentance or get ensnared in the fight to keep living the way you had been?

• It is often difficult to assess our love for riches unless we have forsaken them. What ways have you proven that you do not love riches and therefore have committed idolatry and covetousness? Make sure your answer includes advice Jesus gives in Luke 18:22.

• Can a rich man enter the kingdom of heaven? Why is it so hard? How does this affect evangelism in a rich and materialistic society? How does it affect your church?

A Summary (Luke 18:18-27)

Jesus not only attacks (1) the notion that anyone is naturally good enough for the kingdom of God but also (2) exposes the deep roots that sins have in the lives of every person.

People are often blind to their sins. This, of course, makes them all the more harmful, for without God’s grace enabling one to see his or her sins and grace to forsake them, then that one will perish.

Because of the increase of riches and security in the world, the church faces many more difficulties maintaining her purity and zeal.