Mark 10:18

Translations

Modern

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

Traditional

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

Literal

And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except one—God.

Latin

Jesus autem dixit ei: Quid me dicis bonum? nemo bonus, nisi unus Deus.

Interlinear

Greek

English

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

Notes

Mark 10:18

Jesus replied. "No one is good except God alone.": This response has troubled interpreters for centuries. Jesus was likely correcting the man’s casual use of the word good for a human being. Perfect goodness belongs to God alone.

Jesus was not denying his own goodness. Instead, he wanted to direct the man’s attention to God. The rich man wanted to enter the kingdom of God, and Jesus contrasted God’s goodness with the man’s own sinfulness.

Mark 10:17–31

The story of the rich man continues the themes of discipleship that began in 9:33 and the requirements for entering the kingdom of God (10:13–16). The rich man’s attitude is very different from the humble, childlike faith needed to enter the kingdom of God.

Mark 9:30–10:31

This section is the second cycle (see study note on 8:27–9:1) containing:

a prediction about the suffering of Jesus (9:30–32),
an error by the disciples (9:33–34), and
teaching about discipleship (9:35–10:31).

Theme notes and profiles

Encounters with Jesus Following Jesus Material Reward

Events

Jesus Teaches in Pereac. AD 30

Related verses

Luke 18:19
“Why do you call Me good?” Jesus replied. “No one is good except God alone.
Matthew 19:17
“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.”
1 John 4:16
And we have come to know and believe the love that God has for us. God is love; whoever abides in love abides in God, and God in him.
Romans 3:12
All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”
1 Samuel 2:2
There is no one holy like the LORD. Indeed, there is no one besides You! And there is no Rock like our God.
Psalm 119:68
You are good, and You do what is good; teach me Your statutes.
James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.
1 John 4:8
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
Psalm 86:5
For You, O Lord, are kind and forgiving, rich in loving devotion to all who call on You.
Psalm 36:7–8
How precious is Your loving devotion, O God, that the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings!
John 5:41–44
I do not accept glory from men,

Parallels

Matthew 19:16–30 Luke 18:18–30

People

Jesus: The Son of God and Savior of the world

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) God, Being and Attributes of Mark, Gospel of Riches Servant of the Lord Travel

Topics

Commandments: Precepts of Jesus--Explicitly Stated, or Implied in Didactic Discourse Ego God: Goodness of God: Holiness of Goodness Jesus, the Christ: Receives the Rich Young Ruler Who Asks What he Shall do to Inherit Eternal Life No One is Perfect Riches: General Scriptures Concerning Self-Righteousness: General Scriptures Concerning The Rich: General Scriptures Concerning Young Men: General Scriptures Concerning Young Men: Religious Young Men: The Rich Young Man

Mark 10:18

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