Keraia
Matthew 19

Matthew 19:17

The Rich Young Man · Matthew 19:16–30
Read Matthew 19

Translations

Modern
“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.”
Traditional
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.
Literal
And He said to him, “Why do you ask Me about the good? One is good. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
Latin
Qui dixit ei: Quid me interrogas de bono? Unus est bonus, Deus. Si autem vis ad vitam ingredi, serva mandata.

Original

Greek
English
“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.”

Notes

Matthew 19:17

  • Why do you ask Me: as a Jew, the man should have known that God shows his standard of goodness in his commandments. The man's questions show he did not trust God's revealed will (also Matthew 19:20).

  • there is only One who is good: The man might have thought he could be perfectly good on his own, but only God is the truly good. So, God is from where all goodness comes.

  • keep the commandments: Jesus might be trying to show the man his own sinfulness by asking him to do the impossible. Or more probably, he is restating that good works are the clear measure of how true a person's faith is (see 7:13–27).

Matthew 19:1–20:34

Jesus was traveling to Jerusalem (Matthew 19:1; 20:29; 21:1). This was another chance to teach the disciples what it means to be his disciples.

Events

Parallels

Mark 10:17–31 Luke 18:18–30

Glossary

Bible, Quotations of the Old Testament in the New Testament Gospel of Matthew

Topics

Commandments: Precepts of Jesus--Explicitly Stated, or Implied in Didactic Discourse Contingencies in Divine Government of Man Covetousness: The Rich Young Ruler God: Goodness of God: Holiness of God: None Good but He Good Immortality: General Scriptures Concerning Jesus, the Christ: Receives the Rich Young Ruler Who Asks What he Shall do to Inherit Eternal Life Life: Everlasting Obedience: Enjoined Riches: General Scriptures Concerning Salvation: Conditions of Self-Righteousness: General Scriptures Concerning The Goodness of God is Part of his Character Unity of God: Exhibited in His Being Alone Good Works: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Young Men: General Scriptures Concerning Young Men: Religious Young Men: The Rich Young Man