Matthew 19:17

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

“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.”

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 19:17 records Jesus' profound response to a rich young man seeking eternal life, challenging his understanding of "goodness" and the path to salvation. Jesus redirects the man's focus from a superficial compliment to the singular, ultimate goodness of God, then points to the commandments not as a means to earn life, but as a mirror reflecting human inability to achieve righteousness by works, thereby revealing the deeper need for divine intervention and grace for true eternal life.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is central to the encounter between Jesus and the rich young ruler, immediately following the man's direct question in [Matthew 19:16](/matthew/19-16 "Matthew 19:16 - The Rich Young Ruler's Question"): "Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?" Jesus' response in [Matthew 19:17](/matthew/19-17 "Matthew 19:17 - Jesus' Response to the Rich Young Ruler") sets the stage for a deeper theological discussion that continues through [Matthew 19:22](/matthew/19-22 "Matthew 19:22 - The Rich Young Ruler's Departure"), where the man's attachment to his wealth is exposed. The dialogue then extends to Jesus' teaching on the difficulty for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven ([Matthew 19:23-26](/matthew/19-23-26 "Matthew 19:23-26 - The Difficulty of Wealth and Salvation")), and the disciples' subsequent questions about their reward for following Him ([Matthew 19:27-30](/matthew/19-27-30 "Matthew 19:27-30 - Rewards for Following Jesus")). This entire passage forms a cohesive unit addressing the nature of salvation, the demands of discipleship, and the sovereignty of God in granting eternal life.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Judaism, it was common for individuals to seek guidance from revered teachers (rabbis) on how to live righteously and inherit eternal life. The prevailing understanding often emphasized strict adherence to the Mosaic Law and oral traditions as the pathway to divine favor and salvation. The young man's question, "What good thing shall I do?", reflects this common legalistic mindset, assuming that eternal life could be earned through meritorious deeds. Jesus' response, while seemingly affirming the Law, subtly challenges this premise by elevating the standard of goodness to God alone, implying that human effort, no matter how diligent, falls short of divine perfection. This interaction takes place as Jesus is traveling through Perea, east of the Jordan, on His final journey to Jerusalem, a region where many Jewish traditions were deeply ingrained.

* **Key Themes:** [Matthew 19:17](/matthew/19-17 "Matthew 19:17 - Jesus' Response to the Rich Young Ruler") contributes to several overarching themes in Matthew's Gospel. Firstly, it highlights the **absolute goodness and unique sovereignty of God**, emphasizing that ultimate moral perfection resides in Him alone. Secondly, it underscores the **purpose and limitations of the Law**. While the Law reveals God's righteous standards and exposes human sin, it cannot, by itself, grant eternal life, a truth further expounded in passages like [Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - The Law Reveals Sin"). Thirdly, the passage subtly introduces the theme of **Jesus' divine identity**, prompting the young man (and the reader) to consider whether Jesus is merely a "good teacher" or truly "God" in human flesh. Finally, it sets the stage for the theme of **salvation by grace**, demonstrating that entry into eternal life is ultimately a gift from God, not a reward for human achievement, as Jesus later confirms that "[with God all things are possible](/matthew/19-26 "Matthew 19:26 - With God All Things Are Possible")" for salvation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Good (Greek, _agathós'_):** This word refers to intrinsic, moral goodness, that which is inherently excellent, beneficial, and virtuous. It signifies a quality of character that is pure and upright. Jesus' use of this term here is not a denial of His own goodness, but a profound redirection, challenging the young man to consider the ultimate source and standard of such perfect goodness, which is God Himself.
* **Life (Greek, _zōḗ'_):** In this context, _zōḗ_ refers to eternal life, a spiritual quality of existence that is not merely biological but refers to the full, abundant, and unending life that comes from God. It is often understood as participation in God's own life, a state of blessedness and communion that transcends physical death. The young man seeks to "enter into" this life, indicating a desire for a future state of blessedness.
* **Commandments (Greek, _entolḗ'_):** This term denotes an authoritative injunction or precept, specifically referring to the divine commands given in the Mosaic Law. Jesus' instruction to "keep the commandments" points to the covenantal obligations Israel was given. While seemingly a simple directive, it serves to reveal the depth of God's righteous demands and, ultimately, humanity's inability to perfectly fulfill them, thereby exposing the need for a different path to life.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good?"**: Jesus' initial question is a rhetorical device, not a denial of His own divine goodness, but an invitation for the young man to ponder the profound implications of his address. By calling Jesus "Good Master" ([Matthew 19:16](/matthew/19-16 "Matthew 19:16 - The Rich Young Ruler's Question")), the young man may have intended a respectful compliment, but Jesus elevates the conversation. He challenges the man to consider the source of ultimate goodness and whether his understanding of "good" aligns with its divine standard.
* **"[there is] none good but one, [that is], God:"**: This is the core theological statement. Jesus asserts that perfect, intrinsic goodness belongs solely to God. This statement serves to redirect the young man's focus from human merit or a human teacher to the divine standard. It implies that if Jesus is truly "good" in the ultimate sense, then He must be God, or at least share in God's unique attribute of perfect goodness. It establishes God as the sole benchmark for true righteousness.
* **"but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments."**: Following the theological redirection, Jesus then addresses the young man's original question about entering into life. He points to the Mosaic Law, specifically the commandments. This instruction is not a declaration that perfect law-keeping *earns* salvation, but rather serves as a diagnostic tool. Jesus knows the Law is a mirror that reflects human sinfulness and inability to meet God's perfect standard. By telling the man to keep the commandments, Jesus is setting a standard that, for all humanity, is ultimately unattainable through self-effort, thus leading to the realization of one's need for divine grace.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several significant literary devices. **Rhetorical Question** is evident in Jesus' opening query, "Why callest thou me good?" This is not a question seeking information, but one designed to provoke thought and challenge the young man's superficial understanding, guiding him toward a deeper theological truth. There is a subtle **Irony** at play: Jesus, who is indeed perfectly good and divine, appears to deflect the compliment, yet in doing so, He implicitly asserts His unique identity by aligning Himself with the "one" who is truly good—God. The entire interaction functions as a **Didactic Dialogue**, where Jesus uses the young man's inquiry as a teaching opportunity to convey profound truths about God's nature, the Law, and the path to eternal life. Finally, the **Conditional Statement**, "but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments," frames the subsequent interaction, setting up a test that exposes the young man's true priorities and the limitations of human effort.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 19:17 is a pivotal verse that profoundly shapes our understanding of God's unique goodness and the true nature of salvation. Jesus' assertion that "none good but one, that is, God" is a foundational theological truth, establishing God as the sole standard of moral perfection and the ultimate source of all goodness. This statement challenges any humanistic notion that goodness can be achieved independently or that eternal life can be earned through mere human effort or compliance with external rules. By directing the young man to keep the commandments, Jesus reveals the Law's purpose not as a means of earning salvation, but as a divine standard that exposes human inadequacy and sin, thereby leading to a recognition of one's desperate need for a Savior. The encounter ultimately teaches that true eternal life is not a reward for perfect obedience but a gift of grace, made possible only through God's provision.

* [Deuteronomy 6:4-5](/deuteronomy/6-4-5 "Deuteronomy 6:4-5 - The Shema and the Greatest Commandment")
* [Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - The Law Reveals Sin")
* [Galatians 2:16](/galatians/2-16 "Galatians 2:16 - Justification by Faith, Not Works")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 19:17 invites us to deeply examine our own understanding of goodness and the path to eternal life. Do we, like the rich young ruler, approach God with a mindset of earning His favor through our own efforts, or do we recognize that true goodness and life originate solely from Him? This verse calls us to humble ourselves, acknowledging that our best efforts fall short of God's perfect standard. It challenges us to move beyond superficial religiosity or a mere adherence to rules, prompting us to seek a deeper relationship with the One who is truly good. Understanding that the Law reveals our need for a Savior, rather than providing the means to save ourselves, shifts our focus from self-reliance to reliance on God's grace. This passage encourages us to surrender our self-righteousness and embrace the transformative power of God's perfect goodness, which is freely offered to us through Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, like the rich young ruler, be subtly relying on my own "good deeds" for spiritual assurance rather than on God's grace?**
* **How does Jesus' statement, "none good but one, that is, God," challenge my perception of human nature and divine perfection?**
* **If keeping the commandments doesn't earn eternal life, what is their purpose in my life as a believer?**
* **How does this passage encourage me to deepen my reverence for God's unique holiness and goodness?**

### FAQ
**Did Jesus deny His own deity or goodness by saying "none good but one, that is, God"?**

Answer: No, Jesus did not deny His own deity or goodness. Instead, He was challenging the young man's superficial understanding of the term "good." The young man addressed Jesus as "Good Master" [Matthew 19:16](/matthew/19-16 "Matthew 19:16 - The Rich Young Ruler's Question"), likely as a common respectful address for a teacher. Jesus' response, "Why callest thou me good? [there is] none good but one, [that is], God," was a profound rhetorical question designed to elevate the conversation. He was prompting the young man to consider the ultimate source of true, intrinsic goodness. If Jesus truly possessed such goodness, it implied a divine quality that went beyond mere human teaching. It was an invitation for the young man to contemplate Jesus' true identity: if He was "good" in the ultimate sense, then He must be God. This statement, far from denying His deity, subtly affirmed it by aligning Himself with the singular source of all goodness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 19:17, while seemingly pointing to the Law, ultimately finds its profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. When Jesus declares that "none good but one, that is, God," He not only establishes the divine standard of goodness but also implicitly positions Himself as the embodiment of that goodness, the very God who has come in the flesh. The young man's desire to "enter into life" by keeping the commandments exposes the fundamental human inability to achieve righteousness through works, a truth that echoes throughout the New Testament ([Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - The Law Reveals Sin") and [Galatians 2:16](/galatians/2-16 "Galatians 2:16 - Justification by Faith")). Jesus is the only one who perfectly kept all the commandments, living a sinless life ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sinless High Priest")). More than simply fulfilling the Law, He became the ultimate sacrifice, offering His perfect life to atone for humanity's inability to keep the Law ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Therefore, the "life" the young man sought is not earned by human effort but is a gift of grace, freely offered through faith in Christ's finished work ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith")). Jesus is the "way, the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, Truth, and Life")), the one through whom all things are possible, including eternal life, not by our keeping of the commandments, but by His perfect keeping and ultimate sacrifice.

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

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.