What does Luke 18:18 mean?

Jesus has just said, "Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it" (Luke 18:17). We don't know for certain if this ruler's interaction with Jesus immediately followed. But, guided by the Holy Spirit, Luke places it here in his gospel. That develops an interesting contrast.

This is a fairly young (Matthew 19:20, 22), rich, Jewish man. That he's referred to as a "ruler" implies some position of prestige or authority. His youth suggests that makes him a civil leader, not a priest or a synagogue leader. That fact might explain the tone of his question and his response. Religious scholars loved to debate questions like this, but he asks for himself; and when he receives a difficult answer, he gets discouraged (Luke 18:23). Unlike the religious leaders who want to argue and try to catch Jesus in heresy (Luke 11:53–54), this man really wants to know and trusts Jesus for the answer.

The man begins by calling Jesus "Good Teacher." Jesus uses the man's own words to lead him to recognize he can't earn eternal life. Only God is truly good. Even if the man followed the commandments to be good to all people, he doesn't have it in him to be as good as God (Luke 18:19–23). And he'll prove it by refusing to give up what's most important to him: his identity as a rich man.

This is an underlying theme in Luke 18. God's elect completely rely on God for justice (Luke 18:7–8). The tax collector completely relies on God for mercy (Luke 18:13–14). Children completely rely on God for blessing (Luke 18:15–17). The blind beggar completely relies on God for healing (Luke 18:35–43). It's difficult for people who think they are self-sufficient to admit they completely need God for salvation (Luke 18:25).