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.

Matthew 19:17 (KJV)

Context

This verse is part of a larger conversation between Jesus and a young man often referred to as the “rich young ruler.” The young man had approached Jesus with a question, asking what good thing he should do to obtain eternal life. In response, Jesus begins by questioning the young man’s use of the term “good” when addressing Him.

Meaning

Jesus’ question, “Why callest thou me good?” is not a denial that He is good. Rather, it is a deliberate teaching device to lead the young man to a true knowledge of who Jesus is and of God’s unique goodness. The statement “there is none good but one, that is, God” affirms the unity of the divine being and is not to be understood as excluding the Son and the Spirit, who with the Father are the one God. Jesus’ purpose was to redirect the young man’s focus from a general concept of goodness to the ultimate source of goodness, which is God Himself.

Biblical connections

The second half of the verse, “but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments,” directly connects the pursuit of eternal life with obedience to God’s commandments. This is not a statement that salvation is earned by works, but it establishes the commandments as the divinely given standard of righteousness and the path of life that Jesus points the inquirer to. The parallel account in Mark 10:18 confirms this interpretation, where Jesus asks the same question to lead the man to a proper understanding of His identity and goodness.

Application

This passage underscores that God alone possesses perfect goodness. It also underscores the importance of adhering to the commandments as an expression of sincere faith. While salvation is ultimately received through faith in Jesus Christ, the fulfilment of God’s commandments and living a righteous life are essential expressions of genuine faith. The encounter with the rich young ruler underscores the impossibility of obtaining salvation through mere personal merit or the fulfilment of the law alone. The grace of God and faith in Jesus Christ remain central to the Christian understanding of salvation. This exchange should be understood within the whole Gospel narrative.

Reflection

Jesus’ response invites every reader to examine how they address Him and whether they truly recognize His divine goodness. The call to keep the commandments is not a path to earn salvation but a response to God’s grace, reflecting a heart transformed by faith.