18:18 Now 1 a certain ruler 2 asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 3
10:25 Now 4 an expert in religious law 5 stood up to test Jesus, 6 saying, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 7
1 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.
2 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.
3 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.
4 tn Grk “And behold.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic. The Greek word ἰδού (idou) at the beginning of this statement has not been translated because it has no exact English equivalent here, but adds interest and emphasis (BDAG 468 s.v. 1).
5 tn Traditionally, “a lawyer.” This was an expert in the interpretation of the Mosaic law (see also Luke 7:30, where the same term occurs).
6 tn Grk “him”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
7 sn The combination of inherit with eternal life asks, in effect, “What must I do to be saved?”
7 sn Jesus reassures his disciples with a promise that (1) much benefit in this life (many times more) and (2) eternal life in the age to come will be given.
8 tn Grk “this time” (καιρός, kairos), but for stylistic reasons this has been translated “this age” here.
9 sn Note that Luke (see also Matt 19:29; Mark 10:30; Luke 10:25) portrays eternal life as something one receives in the age to come, unlike John, who emphasizes the possibility of receiving eternal life in the present (John 5:24).