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.

And {G1161} he 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}: but {G1161} if {G1487} thou wilt {G2309} enter {G1525} into {G1519} life {G2222}, keep {G5083} the commandments {G1785}.

"Why are you asking me about good? There is One who is good! But if you want to obtain eternal life, observe the mitzvot."

“Why do you ask Me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”

And he said unto him, Why askest thou me concerning that which is good? One there is who is good: but if thou wouldest enter into life, keep the commandments.

Context of Matthew 19:17

This verse is a pivotal part of the encounter between Jesus and the "rich young ruler" (or a young man seeking eternal life), as recorded in Matthew 19:16-22. The man approaches Jesus asking what good thing he must do to obtain eternal life. Jesus' response challenges his premise, guiding him towards a deeper understanding of God's perfect goodness and the true nature of salvation.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Nature of Goodness: God Alone is Good: Jesus' initial question, "Why callest thou me good? [there is] none good but one, [that is], God," is not a denial of His own divine nature or goodness. Rather, it serves to elevate the conversation from a casual compliment to a profound theological truth. Jesus redirects the young man's focus from human merit or superficial flattery to the ultimate standard of goodness, which resides solely in God. It prompts the man to consider who Jesus truly is, if He is indeed "good" in the ultimate, divine sense.
  • The Law as a Path to Life (and Revelation of Sin): When Jesus tells the man, "but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments," He points to the Law of Moses. This is not to suggest that perfect commandment-keeping is the *means* to earn salvation, for the New Testament clearly teaches that no one can be justified by works of the law. Instead, Jesus uses the Law as a mirror, revealing the man's inability to perfectly fulfill it, especially in the subsequent verses where his attachment to wealth is exposed. The Law serves to show humanity's need for a Savior, demonstrating that true spiritual "life" cannot be achieved by human effort alone.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "good" in this passage is agathos, which refers to intrinsic, moral goodness. By questioning the young man's use of the term, Jesus prompts him to consider the profound implications of calling someone "good" in this ultimate sense, reserving such perfect goodness for God alone.

Related Scriptures

  • This encounter is also recorded in parallel accounts in Mark 10:17-22 and Luke 18:18-23, offering slightly different nuances but consistent core messages.
  • Jesus' statement about keeping commandments connects to the core of the Law, often summarized in passages like Deuteronomy 6:5 (love God) and Leviticus 19:18 (love your neighbor).
  • The ultimate conclusion of this dialogue, found in Matthew 19:26, highlights that "with God all things are possible," emphasizing that salvation is a divine work, not a human one.

Practical Application

Matthew 19:17 reminds us that true goodness is a divine attribute, and we should always approach God with reverence for His perfect holiness. It also clarifies that while God's Law reveals His righteous standard and our sin, it cannot grant eternal life through our own performance. This passage subtly points to the need for Jesus as the only way, truth, and life, demonstrating that salvation is ultimately a gift of grace received through faith, not earned by human merit.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Leviticus 18:5

    Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I [am] the LORD.

  • Luke 10:26

    He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?

  • Luke 10:28

    And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

  • Galatians 3:11

    But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, [it is] evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

  • Galatians 3:13

    Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that hangeth on a tree:

  • Romans 10:5

    For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

  • 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.

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