Question 1

Who is the rich ruler who asks Jesus about eternal life?

Accepted Answer

The passage describes him only as “a certain ruler” who was very rich. He seems to be a respected man with authority among the Jews, likely a civil leader or someone of high social standing. He comes to Jesus respectfully, calling him “Good Master,” and seems serious about spiritual matters. He says he has kept God’s commandments from his youth. So he is not careless or openly rebellious, but he has a blind spot: his heart is deeply tied to his wealth, which is revealed when Jesus calls him to give it up and follow.

Question 2

What does Jesus mean by saying only God is good?

Accepted Answer

When the ruler calls Jesus “Good Master,” Jesus answers, “Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.” He is not denying that he himself is good. Rather, he pushes the man to think about what he is saying. True goodness belongs to God. If the man calls Jesus good in the deepest sense, then he is touching on Jesus’ divine nature. At the same time, Jesus reminds him that people are not naturally good, and this should lead the man to see his need for God’s mercy, not trust in his own record.

Question 3

Why did Jesus tell the rich ruler to sell all he had and give to the poor?

Accepted Answer

Jesus’ command to “sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor” goes straight to the man’s main idol. The ruler claimed to have kept the commandments, but he loved his wealth more than God and more than his needy neighbour. By asking him to sell everything and then follow, Jesus exposes that his heart is not truly surrendered. This is not a general rule that every believer must literally sell all, but it shows that following Jesus means being willing to part with anything that stands between us and him, including money and comfort.

Question 4

What does the camel and the eye of a needle image mean here?

Accepted Answer

Jesus says, “It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” The picture is of something plainly impossible: the largest common animal of their region going through a tiny opening. Jesus is stressing how strong the pull of riches can be. Wealth promises security and pleasure, so it can keep people from humbling themselves, denying themselves, and trusting God. The point is not that no rich person can be saved, but that without God’s power, the hold of riches cannot be broken.

Question 5

Why did Jesus say it is hard for the rich to enter the kingdom of God?

Accepted Answer

Jesus had just watched the rich ruler walk away sad rather than let go of his money. He then says, “How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!” Riches tend to tie the heart to this world and make people feel self-sufficient. They may not sense their need for God or be willing to lose comfort, status, or property for Christ’s sake. To follow Jesus often means costly choices, and wealth can act like chains. Yet Jesus soon adds that what is impossible with people is possible with God, so there is still hope.

Question 6

What does this passage teach about salvation being impossible with people but possible with God?

Accepted Answer

When the disciples hear how hard it is for the rich to enter God’s kingdom, they ask, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus answers, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” This shows that no one saves themselves by good deeds, law-keeping, or giving up possessions. Human strength cannot free the heart from sin’s grip. Only God can change a person so they love him more than wealth or family. Salvation is God’s work from start to finish, and even the hardest case, like a rich person bound to riches, is not beyond his power.

Question 7

Why did the rich ruler go away very sorrowful?

Accepted Answer

The ruler became “very sorrowful” because Jesus’ call touched the thing he loved most: his great riches. He wanted eternal life, but he also wanted to keep his wealth. When he realized that following Jesus meant letting go of his possessions and giving generously to the poor, he could not bear it. His sadness shows inner conflict. He sees the goodness of what Jesus says, but he is not willing to pay the price. In that moment, his choice reveals that his treasure is on earth, not in heaven, even though he spoke respectfully to Jesus.

Question 8

What did Jesus promise to those who leave family or possessions for God’s kingdom?

Accepted Answer

After Peter says, “We have left all, and followed thee,” Jesus answers that no one who has left house, parents, brothers, wife, or children for the kingdom of God will miss out. He promises they will “receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.” This does not always mean more houses or a trouble-free life, but it means deeper joys, fellowship, peace, and a share in God’s work now, plus eternal life with him. Whatever is lost for Christ’s sake is far outweighed by what he gives back.

Question 9

How should believers today think about money in light of this passage?

Accepted Answer

This passage calls believers to check where their trust really lies. Money itself is not called evil here, but it clearly can become a master. Followers of Jesus should be ready to let go of possessions rather than let them rule the heart. Generosity to the poor, open-handed use of resources, and willingness to lose comfort for God’s kingdom all fit with what Jesus says. At the same time, this teaches dependence on God’s power. Only he can free us from loving wealth too much and help us value heavenly treasure above earthly gain.

Luke 18:18

And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

The Rich Young Ruler

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Luke 18:18

And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

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The Rich Young Ruler

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