Matius 19:16

The Rich Young Man

19:16 Now ¹  someone came up to him and said, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to gain eternal life?”

Lukas 18:18

The Wealthy Ruler

18:18 Now ²  a certain ruler ³  asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” ⁴ 

[19:16]  ¹ tn Grk “And behold one came.” The Greek word ἰδού (idou) has not been translated because it has no exact English equivalent here, but adds interest and emphasis (BDAG 468 s.v. 1). Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.

[18:18]  ² tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.

[18:18]  ³ sn Only Luke states this man is a ruler (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.

[18:18]  ⁴ 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.