What does Luke 18:19 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Jesus" question accomplished two things. It set the standard for goodness, namely, God (cf. Luke 18:11). It also confronted the man with the logical implication of his question ( Luke 18:18), namely, that Jesus was God. That the man did not believe that Jesus was God seems clear from his response to Him ( Luke 18:23). [source][source]

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Context Summary

The young ruler was a man of irreproachable character. He might have said of himself all that the Apostle Paul says in Philippians 3:4, etc. But he was restless and unsatisfied. He felt that Jesus had the key to a life deeper than he had experienced, and he longed to possess it. He was so much in earnest that he knelt in the crowded thoroughfare before the despised Nazarene, Mark 10:17.

He did not know himself. He thought he possessed that love which fulfills the Law, Romans 13:10. Our Lord desired to prove to him that he was deficient in that love, and therefore could not have the eternal life which is love. He did this by suggesting that the young ruler should renounce all and accompany Him in a self-giving for others that must end in a cross. But he shrank back. He dared not face a life of simple faith in God for the supply of temporal needs, and of absolute self-giving to a cross. For all who dare this, whatever is right and good is given back to be held and used under God's direction. [source]

Chapter Summary: Luke 18

¹  Of the importunate widow
⁹  Of the Pharisee and the tax collector
¹⁵  Of Children brought to Jesus
¹⁸  A ruler would follow Jesus, but is hindered by his riches
²⁸  The reward of those who leave all for his sake
³¹  He foretells his death;
³⁵  and restores a blind man to sight