Mark 10:18

KJV

And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? [there is] none good but one, [that is], God.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} Jesus {G2424} said {G2036} unto him {G846}, Why {G5101} callest thou {G3004} me {G3165} good {G18}? there is none {G3762} good {G18} but {G1508} one {G1520}, that is, God {G2316}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua said to him, "Why are you calling me good? No one is good except God!

Berean Standard Bible

“Why do you call Me good?” Jesus replied. “No one is good except God alone.

American Standard Version

And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good save one, even God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 10:18 captures a pivotal moment in Jesus' interaction with a rich young man, where Jesus challenges the man's casual use of the term "good" by asserting that absolute goodness belongs exclusively to God. This statement serves not as a denial of Jesus' own divine nature, but as a profound theological redirection, prompting the young man—and all who hear—to consider the ultimate source and standard of moral perfection, thereby setting the stage for deeper truths about discipleship, wealth, and the nature of God's kingdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a larger narrative unit (Mark 10:17-31) that details the encounter between Jesus and a rich young man. Immediately preceding this verse, the young man approaches Jesus, kneeling and addressing Him as "Good Master," then asks what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus' response in [Mark 10:18](/mark/10-18 "Mark 10:18 - Jesus' Response to the Rich Young Man") directly addresses the young man's initial salutation, setting the tone for the subsequent discussion about the commandments, the challenge to sell possessions, and the disciples' astonishment at the difficulty of the rich entering the Kingdom of God. The pericope concludes with Jesus' teaching on the impossibility for humans but possibility for God, and the promise of reward for those who sacrifice for the gospel.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the Jewish culture of Jesus' day, addressing someone as "Good Master" (διδάσκαλε ἀγαθέ, _didaskale agathe_) was a highly respectful, yet somewhat conventional, honorific for a revered teacher or rabbi. While it acknowledged moral uprightness, it typically did not carry the full weight of divine attribution. Jesus' rhetorical question, "Why callest thou me good?" (τί με λέγεις ἀγαθόν; _ti me legeis agathon?_), challenges the young man to move beyond a superficial compliment and consider the profound implications of applying such a descriptor to anyone other than God, who alone possesses inherent, absolute goodness. This exchange also takes place in a society where wealth was often seen as a sign of divine favor, making Jesus' subsequent teaching on the perils of riches particularly counter-cultural and shocking to His audience.
* **Key Themes:** The exchange in [Mark 10:17-31](/mark/10-17-31 "Mark 10:17-31 - The Rich Young Man") brings several major theological and narrative themes to the forefront. Firstly, it explores the **nature of true goodness**, emphasizing that perfect, intrinsic goodness belongs exclusively to God, contrasting it with human, relative goodness. Secondly, it delves into the **demands of discipleship**, highlighting that following Jesus requires radical commitment and sacrifice, often challenging deeply held worldly values. Thirdly, it addresses the **peril of wealth**, illustrating how material possessions can become an obstacle to entering God's kingdom, as seen in the young man's inability to part with his riches. Finally, it subtly points to **Jesus' unique identity**, as His response, while seemingly deflecting praise, actually elevates the standard of "goodness" to a divine level, implicitly inviting the young man to consider who Jesus truly is in light of this ultimate standard. This theme resonates with Jesus' consistent focus on the Father, as demonstrated in passages like [John 5:19](/john/5-19 "John 5:19 - Jesus Does the Father's Will").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **good (Greek, _agathós'_):** (G18) This primary word denotes inherent goodness, moral excellence, and beneficial quality. In this context, Jesus uses it to refer to absolute, intrinsic perfection, a standard of moral uprightness that transcends human capability and resides solely in the divine. It implies a goodness that is not merely commendable or relative, but complete and unblemished.
* **one (Greek, _heîs'_):** (G1520) This primary numeral emphasizes singularity and exclusivity. When Jesus states "none good but one," the word _heîs_ underscores the unique and singular nature of God as the sole possessor of absolute goodness. It points to the monotheistic truth that there is only one God, and therefore only one ultimate source of perfection.
* **God (Greek, _theós'_):** (G2316) This term refers to a deity, and specifically, with the definite article (implied here), to the supreme Divinity. By explicitly identifying "the one" who is good as "God," Jesus unequivocally points to the divine nature as the exclusive domain of absolute goodness. This highlights God's character as the ultimate standard of morality and the source of all that is truly good.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jesus said unto him":** This phrase marks Jesus' direct engagement with the rich young man's preceding address and question. It signals a deliberate and significant response, indicating that Jesus is about to impart a profound truth that goes beyond a simple answer to the young man's query about eternal life.
* **"Why callest thou me good?":** This is a rhetorical question designed to probe the young man's understanding of the term "good." Jesus is not denying His own goodness or deity, but rather challenging the young man's superficial use of the word. He prompts the young man to consider whether he truly grasps the ultimate implications of calling someone "good" in an absolute sense, implying that such a designation properly belongs only to God.
* **"there is none good but one, that is, God.":** This is the core theological declaration of the verse. Jesus asserts that absolute, inherent goodness is an attribute belonging exclusively to God. By stating this, Jesus elevates the standard of "goodness" to a divine level, redirecting the young man's focus from human achievements or even Jesus' human identity, to the ultimate, perfect source of all goodness—God Himself. This statement aligns with the Old Testament understanding of God's unique moral perfection.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 10:18 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "Why callest thou me good?" Jesus uses this not to elicit information, but to provoke thought and challenge the young man's assumptions about the nature of goodness and, implicitly, about Jesus' own identity. This question leads directly to a profound **Theological Redirection**, as Jesus immediately points to God as the sole possessor of absolute goodness. This redirection serves to elevate the discussion from a mere ethical inquiry to a fundamental truth about divine character. There is also a subtle layer of **Irony** or **Paradox** at play: Jesus, who is indeed God incarnate and perfectly good, appears to deflect the title. However, this deflection is actually an affirmation of the highest standard of goodness, which He Himself embodies, thereby inviting the listener to a deeper understanding of His true nature.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 10:18 stands as a foundational statement regarding the nature of divine goodness and its exclusive attribution to God. Jesus' response underscores the biblical truth that God alone is inherently, perfectly, and absolutely good, serving as the ultimate standard for all moral excellence. This does not diminish Jesus' own goodness or deity, but rather elevates the concept of "goodness" to its highest possible echelon, aligning it with the very essence of God's being. By directing the young man's gaze to God, Jesus reveals a profound theological truth: all true goodness originates from and finds its perfect expression in the divine. This statement challenges any humanistic or relativistic understanding of morality, firmly rooting it in the immutable character of the Creator.

* [Psalm 100:5](/psalms/100-5 "Psalm 100:5 - The Lord is Good")
* [James 1:17](/james/1-17 "James 1:17 - Every Good and Perfect Gift")
* [1 John 1:5](/1_john/1-5 "1 John 1:5 - God is Light and in Him is No Darkness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jesus' words in Mark 10:18 invite us to a profound reflection on the nature of goodness and the identity of God. In a world that often dilutes the meaning of "good" or attributes it superficially, Jesus calls us to recognize that absolute, intrinsic goodness is an attribute unique to God alone. This challenges us to examine our own understanding of morality and to align our ethical framework with God's perfect character. It also prompts us to consider the depth of our praise and worship: do we reserve ultimate recognition of perfection for God alone? Furthermore, Jesus' humble redirection, despite His own divine nature, serves as a powerful model for us. It teaches us to deflect self-praise and consistently point others to God as the ultimate source of all that is truly good, fostering a spirit of humility and God-centeredness in our lives. This verse encourages us to move beyond superficial acknowledgments and to seek a deeper, more reverent understanding of who God is and who Jesus is in relation to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' statement challenge my own understanding of what it means to be "good" or to call someone "good"?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to attribute ultimate goodness to anything or anyone other than God?**
* **What does Jesus' humility in this exchange teach me about my own approach to receiving praise or recognition?**
* **How can a deeper understanding of God's absolute goodness transform my worship and daily living?**

### FAQ

**Did Jesus deny His deity or His own goodness in Mark 10:18?**

Answer: No, Jesus did not deny His deity or His own goodness. His statement, "Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God," is a rhetorical question designed to probe the rich young man's understanding. Jesus was challenging the young man to consider the full implications of calling someone "good" in an absolute sense. If the young man was merely using a polite honorific, Jesus was elevating the standard, implying that such absolute goodness belongs only to God. If the young man *did* recognize something divine in Jesus, then Jesus was subtly affirming that recognition by pointing to the ultimate source of all goodness—God Himself, with whom Jesus is one. This aligns with Jesus' consistent pattern of glorifying the Father and His own divine claims elsewhere, such as in [John 10:30](/john/10-30 "John 10:30 - Jesus and the Father Are One").

**What is the significance of Jesus pointing to God as the "one" who is good?**

Answer: By pointing to God as the "one" who is good, Jesus emphasizes the unique and exclusive nature of divine perfection. This statement reinforces the monotheistic truth that only God possesses inherent, absolute, and unblemished goodness. It sets a divine standard for morality and character, making it clear that human goodness is always relative and flawed in comparison to God's perfect nature. This theological redirection serves to shift the young man's focus from his own perceived righteousness or Jesus as merely a good teacher, to the ultimate source of all truth and goodness, which is God. This concept is foundational throughout Scripture, as seen in passages like [Psalm 145:9](/psalms/145-9 "Psalm 145:9 - The Lord is Good to All").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 10:18, far from diminishing Jesus' divine status, profoundly illuminates His unique identity as the embodiment of God's absolute goodness. While Jesus humbly deflects the title "good" to the Father, He simultaneously embodies and reveals that very goodness. He is the visible image of the invisible God, the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being, as affirmed in [Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of the Invisible God") and [Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - The Radiance of God's Glory"). Jesus' life, teachings, and ultimately His sacrificial death on the cross, perfectly demonstrate the inherent goodness of God in action—a goodness that seeks, saves, and redeems. He is not merely a good teacher, but the very Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd")). Thus, in pointing to God as the sole source of goodness, Jesus implicitly invites the rich young man, and all believers, to recognize that this absolute goodness is fully present and accessible in Himself, the one who declares, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, Truth, and Life")). He is the ultimate fulfillment of divine goodness, making the Father known to us.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 19:17

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.

Luke 18:19

And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none [is] good, save one, [that is], God.

1 John 4:16

And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

1 Samuel 2:2

[There is] none holy as the LORD: for [there is] none beside thee: neither [is there] any rock like our God.

Romans 3:12

They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

John 5:41

I receive not honour from men.

John 5:44

How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that [cometh] from God only?