The ruler wants eternal life, and he assumes it comes by doing something. Barnes says on the parallel in Matthew that "He had been taught by his Jewish teachers that people were to be saved by doing something - that is, by their works." He had lived an outwardly good life, "but yet he was not at peace." Mark adds that he came running and kneeled (Mark 10:17). Barnes says his running showed "great earnestness and anxiety," and his kneeling was the customary respectful greeting, not worship. Calling Jesus "Good Master" showed real respect: Barnes explains that "Master" means teacher. Matthew Henry says, "The great thing we are every one of us concerned to enquire after is what we shall do to get to heaven."

Jesus first answers with a question: "Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God" (Luke 18:19). He then points the ruler to the commandments (Luke 18:20). The ruler says, "All these have I kept from my youth up" (Luke 18:21). Jesus answers, "Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me" (Luke 18:22). "And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich" (Luke 18:23).

Luke calls him only "a certain ruler." Matthew calls him "the young man" (Matthew 19:20), and Luke says "he was very rich" (Luke 18:23). Commentators differ on what he ruled. Barnes says he was "probably a ruler in a synagogue, or of the great council of the nation." Gill calls him "a ruler among the Jews, a civil magistrate."

"Master" here means teacher, as Barnes notes. Gill says the address "good master" was equal to calling Him "Rabbi." Matthew records the question as "what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?" (Matthew 19:16), and Mark as "what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" (Mark 10:17).

Luke sets this question beside the children. Jesus has just said the kingdom must be received "as a little child" (Luke 18:17), and then a man of rank asks what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus' first reply turns the ruler's eyes to God: "none is good, save one, that is, God" (Luke 18:19). Barnes paraphrases Jesus' point: "Why do you give to me a title that belongs only to God?"

The story ends with a question from the listeners, "Who then can be saved?" and Jesus' answer, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God" (Luke 18:26-27). The ruler asked what he should do. The passage ends with what only God can do.