‘I have kept
Since my youth.’”
ὁ δὲ εἶπεν Ταῦτα πάντα ἐφύλαξα ἐκ νεότητος.
Luke indicated that this ruler replied (ὁ δὲ εἶπεν) that he had kept all these commandments (Ταῦτα πάντα ἐφύλαξα) since his youth (ἐκ νεότητος). This comment can also be found in Mark, chapter 10:20, and Matthew, chapter 19:20, but slightly different, with Luke closer to Mark, who indicated that this man responded to Jesus (ὁ δὲ ἔφη αὐτῷ). Once again, he called Jesus “Teacher (Διδάσκαλε).” He said that he had kept or observed all these commandments (ταῦτα πάντα ἐφυλαξάμην) from his youth (ἐκ νεότητός μου). In Matthew, this person was identified as a young man, who responded to Jesus (λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ νεανίσκος). He said that he had kept or observed all these commandments (Ταῦτα πάντα ἐφύλαξα). Mark and Luke added “from his youth,” but in Matthew he was still a young man. What was he still lacking (τί ἔτι ὑστερῶ)? This seems like a very forthright righteous person who was trying to do the best that he could. Have you been a faithful commandment follower since your youth?