He said to him: Which? And Jesus said: Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness.
λεγει αυτω ποιας ο δε ιησους ειπεν το ου φονευσεις ου μοιχευσεις ου κλεψεις ου ψευδομαρτυρησεις
12 Church Fathers comment on this verse
When Christ stated, 'If thou wilt enter into the life, keep the commandments,' he inquired, 'Which are they?' He posed this question not to test Jesus, but believed that, in addition to the commandments of the law, there were further commandments that could guide him toward eternal life. His yearning for salvation was truly profound.
The Lord directs the inquirer to the commandments of the law, to prevent the Jews from claiming that He disregards the law. What follows?
When Christ declared, “If thou wilt enter into eternal life, keep the commandments” (Matt. 19:17), the man, not anticipating a different response or an immediate reference to “my commandments,” inquired, “What are they?” However, he was misled by his expectation, for Christ did not respond from His own authority, as the man presumed, but directed him to the law. This was not because the law embodies perfection—since, as it is written, “no one is justified by the law” (Galatians 3:11)—but because engaging with the law serves as an introduction to eternal life, gradually preparing the mindset of the learner for higher truths. The law functions as a tutor leading us to Christ (Galatians 3:24).
Thus, the law symbolizes the initial stage of physical existence, while Christ embodies its fulfillment. As He stated, the foundation of righteous deeds is to perform just actions. The law illustrates righteousness, whereas Christ reveals true goodness. The law instructs us to reciprocate offenses in equal measure (an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth), yet Christ, transcending this principle, elevates us to a higher calling, saying: “If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other cheek also; and whoever wants to sue you and take your shirt from you, give him your outer garment also” (Matthew 5:39-40).
The young man who posed the question can be seen as a tempter, as evidenced by his response when the Lord told him, ‘If thou wilt enter into eternal life, keep the commandments.’ He replied with a clever inquiry about which commandments were being referred to, as though he were unfamiliar with them or as if the Lord Jesus Christ might issue commands that contradicted God's law.
Without putting him to the test, he inquired, "Which commandments?" He believed that, in addition to the prescribed ones, there were additional commands that led to life. With divine wisdom, He highlighted the primary commandments of the law, aiming to honor them, so that when he responded, "I have kept all these since my youth," it would reveal his righteous life to those who listened. Jesus Christ was aware that he had indeed adhered to them and anticipated this very reply.
Jesus directs this young man, who is unfamiliar with the law and anxious about his salvation, back to the law so that he may understand, through the very law in which he takes pride, that he has yet to perform any acts of righteousness. The Lord’s response utilized the words of the law. However, this young man, resembling the arrogant and uninformed individuals of his kind, places his trust in the law while failing to adhere to it in actuality. They were instructed not to kill, yet they murdered the prophets. They were prohibited from committing adultery yet twisted the faith, altered the law, and worshipped other deities. They were told not to steal, but through their theft, they nullified the commandments of the law until Christ restored the openness of faith.
They recognized that bearing false witness was wrong, yet they rejected the truth of Christ’s resurrection. They were commanded to honor their parents, but they turned away from the family of God the Father and their mother, the Church. They were to love their neighbor as themselves, yet they tormented Christ, who embodied our humanity and became a neighbor to each of us through the flesh He assumed. They persecuted Him all the way to His crucifixion. Therefore, the young man is called to recognize these transgressions and, turning away from them, return to the law.
"But if you wish to attain eternal life, observe the commandments" (Matt. 19:17), our Lord Jesus Christ replied to a young man who inquired, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" (Luke 18:18). This young man was essentially seeking to understand what good deeds he needed to perform to attain salvation. Upon asking further about the specifics of the commandments, the Lord highlighted for him, as a Jew devoted to the true God, the commandments concerning one's neighbor. The young man affirmed that he had adhered to these commandments, yet he asked, "What do I still lack?" The Lord responded, "If you wish to be complete, go, sell your possessions, and give to the poor; and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me, taking up your cross" (Matt.
19:20-21; Mark 10:21; Luke 18:22).
From the Lord’s responses to the young man, we discover that the Lord has prepared two blessed states for those who believe in Him: salvation and Christian perfection. It is evident from these answers that the blessed state of salvation is accessible to all Christians, while perfection is attainable only for those who actively share their possessions with the needy and forsake worldly attachments to follow Christ by embracing their cross—this means willingly subjecting themselves with zeal and love to the trials, honors, and afflictions that may come their way, as is fitting for true followers of Christ, dismissing all rationalizations presented by secular wisdom that opposes Christ and His cross.
Let us examine the criteria for salvation, as it is sought after and open to all Christians. The Lord imparted His holy teachings to a devout Jew, emphasizing the commandments regarding relationships with others while omitting a direct mention of faith, which He has discussed on other occasions. It is essential for anyone wishing to be saved to have faith in God, the Creator and Redeemer. "And this is eternal life," our Savior declared, "that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent" (John 17:3). "He who believes in the Son" of God “has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him" (John 3:36).
It is also vital for those desiring salvation to belong to the Orthodox Church, recognized as the one true Church, and to adhere to its teachings. The Lord compared those who defy the Church to Gentiles, who are distant from God (see Matt. 18:17). When we recite the Nicene Creed, we profess belief in the One Holy and Apostolic Church; thus, we acknowledge that aside from this Church, no other church exists, even if various human groups claim that title.
For one to be saved, baptism in the heart of the Orthodox Church is required, performed in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, as stated by the Lord: "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; but whoever does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:16). In the Greek language, in which the apostles composed the New Testament, the term for baptism (baptisma) specifically denotes immersion. Therefore, whenever "baptism," "baptize," or any related terms occur in the New Testament, they should be understood in their true sense of immersion and submerging. This understanding is why the immersion of utensils in water is referred to in the Gospel as the baptism of vessels (see Mark 7:8).
For twelve centuries after Christ's Nativity, the sacrament of Baptism was practiced through immersion. However, beginning in the twelfth century, some Western traditions began using a method known as dousing, which eventually led to sprinkling in certain communities. Those seeking salvation must also repent for their sins and seek purity through confession, as affirmed by Scripture: "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He, being faithful and just, will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:8-9). The sacrament of Penance sustains and renews the purity we receive in Baptism and reestablishes our union with Christ, given through that holy Baptism.
During the sacrament of Penance, the priest reassures the penitent that through this sacrament they receive a "second Baptism" which revives their initial consecration. Unfortunately, the sacrament of Penance has been altered and discarded in the West, particularly by Protestant groups. Additionally, participation in the Holy Sacraments of Christ, namely the Most Holy Body and Blood, is crucial for those who desire salvation: "Verily, verily," the Lord stated, "unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink His Blood, you have no life in you" (John 6:53-54).
The profound mystery of the transformation of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ occurs through the invocation of the Holy Spirit during the prayers that constitute the Divine Liturgy. Without the Divine Liturgy conducted by an Orthodox bishop, the bread and wine cannot become the Body and Blood of Christ. Historically, liturgies from around the world share essential similarities in their invocation of the Holy Spirit for this transformation. However, in more recent times, the Roman liturgy has omitted the invocation of the Holy Spirit, and Protestant traditions have rejected the liturgical practice entirely.
Thus, for individuals seeking salvation, it is necessary firstly to believe in God correctly, belong to the Orthodox Church, be baptized, seek repentance for their sins, and partake in the Holy Mysteries of Christ. Secondly, as the Lord instructed the young man, one must observe the commandments of God. The Lord initially outlined the commandments that forbid serious sins, echoing Moses’ guidance to ancient Israel: "You shall not murder; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honor your father and mother," and ultimately "you shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Matt. 19:18-20).
The omission of a direct command to love God raises a question; this is because love for God is intrinsically linked to love for one’s neighbor. Those who cultivate a sincere love for their neighbor will also find within their hearts a profound love for God: "If we love one another," declared St. John the Theologian, "God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us" (1 John 4:12).
To inherit salvation means to align oneself with the Redeemer, to maintain that alignment throughout one’s earthly journey, and, upon death, to be ascended with the soul to the realms of blessed spirits, sharing in their holy joy in anticipation of the final resurrection. At that time, the faithful will be reunited with the body, made incorruptible by the Lord, partaking in eternal bliss.
Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Life and Source of Life. We partake in this life through faith in His doctrine, by baptism in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, sealed with the anointing of the baptized individual. The laying on of hands by the Apostles has been succeeded by anointing with holy oil. The Apostles would confirm Baptism through this act, bestowing the Holy Spirit upon the newly baptized (cf. Acts 19:6).
We nurture and preserve our relationship with the Lord by repenting of our transgressions, partaking in His Body and Blood, and living in accordance with His holy commandments. Anyone who neglects these commandments, who fails to renew themselves through repentance, and does not maintain their connection to Christ through communion cannot help but forfeit their relationship with Him and thereby lose their salvation. "If you keep my commandments," the Lord told His disciples, "you shall abide in my love. But whoever does not abide in Me will be cast out like a branch and will wither; and such branches will be gathered and cast into the fire, and they will be burned" (John 15:10, 6).
The young man was of the opinion that achieving eternal life hinged on virtues beyond merely adhering to God's commandments as outlined in the Law of Moses. Hence, he first inquired, "What good act must I perform to inherit eternal life?" He then posed another question, "Which commandments are tied to eternal life?" In response, the Lord succinctly referenced those commandments, which are indeed elaborated upon in the Mosaic law. Consider the profound wisdom of the Lord: true adherence to goodness involves turning away from wrongdoing, as expressed in the Scripture, "Turn away from evil, and do good" (Psalm 33:15).
Additionally, it is often simpler to refrain from evil than to actively pursue good; thus, the Lord prioritized commandments that instruct abstaining from sin, stating: "You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness" (Basil. in conversation). He then mentioned those commandments that focus on the practice of righteousness: "Honor your father and mother, and you shall love your neighbor as yourself."
The young man was taken aback by the straightforwardness of the response he received. He believed that in addition to the commandments of the Law he was familiar with, there were others that were more perfect. Therefore, he asked the Lord, “Which ones?” In reply, the Lord emphasized the commandments of the Law, beginning with those that were easier to follow and then moving to those that were more challenging and comprehensive. JESUS stated, “You know the commandments, for instance, ‘You shall not murder; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; in summary, you shall turn away from all wrongdoing and pursue righteousness.’”
The young man was aware of the laws provided by God through Moses, yet he sought to understand if there were additional commandments that he was not familiar with, prompting him to inquire, “Which commandments should I follow?”
The young man seemed to anticipate some fresh and remarkable guidance from such a revered Teacher, inquiring, "What are the commandments?" When Christ presented the essential commandments from the Ten Commandments and the Mosaic Law, particularly emphasizing the command to love one's neighbor as oneself, the young man expressed his astonishment, stating that he had kept all these since his youth and was eager to undertake additional acts of righteousness.
The young man, from the nature of his inquiry, anticipated being informed about specific commandments that would outline particular virtues. He believed that in addition to the commandments of the law, there existed other directives that would lead him to eternal life. His longing for salvation was profound (Chrysostom). However, Jesus directs him to the commandments found in the Decalogue, emphasizing the fundamental directive to love his neighbor as well.
“Thou shalt not murder” refers to the sixth commandment; for further context, see Matthew 5:21. “Thou shalt not commit adultery” corresponds to the seventh commandment; refer to Matthew 5:27 for additional insight. “Thou shalt not steal” indicates the eighth commandment, which pertains to taking what belongs to another without their knowledge or consent. “Thou shalt not bear false witness” is related to the ninth commandment. This involves knowingly making false and empty statements against one's neighbor, whether in a legal context, casual conversation, or through private accusations.
Passages read together with this verse.
Greek text, 16 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS