And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

And a certain ruler asked him, saying: Good master, what shall I do to possess everlasting life?

And a certain ruler questioned him, saying, 'Good teacher, what having done, shall I inherit life age-during?'

The question was put to Him by a Ruler: "Good Rabbi, what shall I do to inherit the Life of the Ages?"

And a certain ruler put a question to him, saying, Good Master, what have I to do so that I may have eternal life?

A certain ruler asked him, saying, 'Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?'

And a certain leader questioned him, saying: "Good teacher, what should I do to possess eternal life?"

And one of the leaders asked Jesus this question – "Good teacher, what must I do if I am to gain eternal life?"

A certain ruler - See the case of this person largely explained on Matthew 19:16-22 (note), and Mark 10:21, Mark 10:22 (note).

And a certain ruler asked him,.... A young man, Matthew 19:20 a ruler among the Jews, a civil magistrate, and a very rich man; he ran after Jesus, and overtook him in the way, as he was going towards Jericho, Mark 10:17
saying, good master; "Rabbi"; or doctor,
what shall I do to inherit eternal life? See Gill on Matthew 19:16.

Many have a great deal in them very commendable, yet perish for lack of some one thing; so this ruler could not bear Christ's terms, which would part between him and his estate. Many who are loth to leave Christ, yet do leave him. After a long struggle between their convictions and their corruptions, their corruptions carry the day. They are very sorry that they cannot serve both; but if one must be quitted, it shall be their God, not their wordly gain. Their boasted obedience will be found mere outside show; the love of the world in some form or other lies at the root. Men are apt to speak too much of what they have left and lost, of what they have done and suffered for Christ, as Peter did. But we should rather be ashamed that there has been any regret or difficulty in doing it.

And a certain ruler asked him. For notes on the case of the Rich Young Ruler, see Matthew 19:16-30; also Mark 10:17-31. The ruler was probably ruler of a synagogue. See Matthew 4:23.

Matthew 19:16; Mark 10:17.