Jesus told the rich young ruler to keep the commandments.
When the ruler asked what he must do to inherit eternal life, Jesus answered, “Keep the commandments.” Les Feldick explains that this answer was given in the setting of Christ's earthly ministry, when Israel was still under the Law and the temple was operating at full speed.
Matthew 19:16-17 — Jesus tells the man directly, 'if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.'
Mark 10:17-19 — The ruler uses the phrase 'inherit eternal life,' and Jesus points him to the commandments.
Luke 18:18-20 — The interview is with a ruler, and Jesus again answers, 'Thou knowest the commandments.'
The Gospel accounts record that a rich young man asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. In Matthew's account he asks, 'Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?' Jesus answers, 'Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.' In Mark's account the question is, 'Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?' and Jesus responds, 'Thou knowest the commandments...' listing several of them. Luke's account similarly says Jesus answered, 'Thou knowest the commandments...' The Bible's plain record is that Jesus pointed the man to the commandments rather than setting the Law aside.
Les Feldick uses the rich young ruler as a clear example that Jesus' earthly ministry took place under the Law. He points out that the temple was 'going full speed' with sacrifices being brought by the thousands. When the ruler asked what he must do to inherit eternal life, Jesus told him to 'keep the commandments'—and in Les's words, this meant keep the whole law, including the prescribed way of approaching God through sacrifices and the civil law. Les says this is exactly what Jesus 'labored under' for His whole three years. Les also stresses that Christ's ministry was directed primarily to the Jew under the Old Testament covenants, and that every Jew Jesus dealt with was still a law-keeping Jew. He extends this into Acts: believing Jews were still law-keepers, no one told them to quit going to the temple, and Ananias was still 'a devout man after the Law' seven years after Pentecost. Therefore, the rich young ruler's answer must be understood in that legal setting, not as a message that the Law had been set aside.
Les Feldick says the answer proves the setting: Jesus' earthly ministry was directed primarily to the Jew under the Old Testament covenants, and every Jew He dealt with was a law-keeping Jew. The temple was 'going full blast.' When Jesus said keep the commandments, Les says, He meant keep the whole law, including the prescribed way of approaching God when a commandment was broken and the civil law. This was the law Jesus lived under for His entire ministry.
Les emphasizes that Jesus never told Israel, 'You're not under the Law.' He lived under the Law, and Israel was under the Law. The temple kept operating, and sacrifices continued. Even after Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, believing Jews in Acts are still law-keepers. No one told them to stop going to the temple. In Acts 22, Paul calls Ananias a devout man 'according to the law,' seven years after Pentecost. Les uses this to show the Law remained in force throughout the Gospel events.
Why Israel Rejected Their King — Matthew 23 Explained
started, you know, I think the thing that gets their attention is the class, more than myself. And they see these people sitting out here in all these different colored clothes and everything, and I think that's what stops them, thinking, hey, what is this? And then, of course, many times I think the Spirit directs them to keep on listening.
Keep the Whole Law
Les says Jesus' command to keep the commandments meant keep the whole law, and this is what Jesus labored under for three years.
Faith Plus in the Temple Period
Les uses the rich young ruler as proof that Jews in the temple period were still under the law and brought sacrifices for law-breaking, so their salvation was 'faith plus.'
Ministry to the Jew
Christ's earthly ministry was directed primarily to the Jew under the Old Testament covenants, and every Jew He dealt with was a law-keeping Jew.
Law-Keeping Continues in Acts
The temple operated at full speed, and believing Jews remained law-keepers into Acts; Ananias was still devout after the Law.
Jesus Never Said 'Not Under Law'
Jesus never told Israel they were not under the Law; He lived under it, and Israel was under it.
The Temple Stayed Open in Acts
Believers in Acts continued daily in the Temple, and no one had said they were no longer under law but under grace.
The Parable Setting Is Under the Law
Les places the Parable of the Prodigal Son in the same legal setting: Christ dealing with Israel under the Law, with temple worship still operating.
Matthew 19:16-17: And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
This is the direct exchange in Matthew where Jesus answers the rich young ruler's question about eternal life.
Mark 10:17-19: And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
Mark's account uses the exact phrase 'inherit eternal life' and shows Jesus pointing to the commandments.
Luke 18:18-20: And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.
Luke also records the ruler's question and Jesus' response to keep the commandments.
Acts 2:46: And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
Les cites this verse to show Jewish believers continued daily in the Temple after Pentecost.
Acts 22:12: And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,
Les points to Ananias as evidence that a devout believer could still be described as being 'after the Law' years after Pentecost.
Jesus answered, 'Keep the commandments.' In the Gospel records, He named the commandments the man already knew, showing that the encounter took place within the framework of the law.
Yes. Les says when Jesus said keep the commandments, He meant keep the whole law, including the prescribed way of gaining acceptance with God through sacrifices and the civil law.
Yes. Les says the temple was going full speed, with sacrifices being brought by the thousands. No one had told the Jews to stop temple worship.
No. Les points out that no one told Jewish believers to quit going to the temple or to stop keeping the Law, even in the early chapters of Acts.
Watch the Teaching: Why Israel Rejected Their King — Matthew 23 Explained