Luk 18:18 | NET2full | STEP | Now a certain leader asked him , “ Good teacher , what must I do to inherit eternal life ?”

‏ Luke 18:18

The Wealthy Ruler

18 Now ^{▼▼tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.} a certain leader ^{▼▼tn Grk “a certain ruler.” BDAG 140 s.v. ἄρχων 2.a takes this to be a member of the Sanhedrin, but Bock understands this to be “an influential wealthy man or civic leader who may have been known for his piety” (D. L. Bock, Luke [BECNT] 2:1476).} ^{▼▼sn Only Luke states this man is a leader (cf. the parallels in Matt 19:16-22 and Mark 10:17-22, where the questioner is described only as “someone”). He is probably a civic leader of some kind, a leader in the society.} asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” ^{▼▼sn The rich man wanted to know what he must do to inherit eternal life, but Jesus had just finished teaching that eternal life was not earned but simply received (18:17). See the similar question about inheriting eternal life in Luke 10:25.}