What Does Luke 18:21 Mean in the King James?

And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.

Luke 18:21 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The word translated “kept” pictures guarding, so his complete record also reveals a life organized around what he believes he has successfully held in place.

THE MEANING

You can recognize the confidence of a record kept from early life. The verb carries watchfulness and guarding, so this verse lets that self-account stand while revealing the posture beneath it.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

A record of keeping every command does not prove that nothing still has a hold on your heart.

THE ROOT

ἐφυλαξάμην

ephylaxamēn

GROWS FROM

⁨φυλακ-⁩ / ⁨φυλασσ-⁩ (phylak- / phylass-)

to guard, keep watch, or protect

The verb behind “kept” is ⁨φυλάσσω⁩ (phylassō), “to guard” or “keep watch.” His claim is not only that he can count the commands as observed; it pictures a life spent guarding what he understands as obedience, while the next verse reveals that one thing remains unloosened.

ALSO GROWS

phylax: guard or watchman

φύλαξ

This branch makes the watchful quality of “kept” visible: the word carries the image of someone guarding.

phylakē: guard duty, watch, or prison

φυλακή

The same word family reaches from keeping watch to confinement, opening a question about whether what is guarded can also become what holds a person.

THE PATTERN

A claim of completeness is tested by the one thing that still holds the heart.

All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.

Proverbs 16:2 · KJVThis verse names the gap between a person’s self-assessment and what is actually weighed.

For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

James 2:10 · KJVKeeping nearly everything does not make one remaining breach disappear.

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Matthew 6:21 · KJVWhat the heart still treasures reveals what a complete outward record may leave unseen.

THE THREAD

Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, 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 · KJV

The reply places “all” beside “one thing”: the complete tally does not reach what remains held. The contrast reveals that guarding commands and being free to follow are not the same.

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