“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)
““Why ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”– Matthew 19:17 (NLT)
“Jesus said, “Why are you asking me what’s good? There is only one good One. If you want to enter the life of God, keep the commandments.”– Matthew 19:17 (MSG)
What Does Matthew 19:17 Mean?
This verse is a response from Jesus to a young man who approached him seeking guidance on how to attain eternal life. The question posed by the young man was critical. He wanted to know what good deed or commandment he must follow to secure his place in heaven. Jesus, however, began his response with a profound inquiry. He wanted to challenge the young man’s understanding of good and, more importantly, who is truly good. This sets the stage for deeper insights into the nature of goodness and the relationship between God and humanity.
When Jesus says, “There is only one who is good,” he is informing us of an essential truth. God is the epitome of goodness. No one can claim goodness apart from Him. This statement reminds us that human beings, though capable of good actions, fall short of divine perfection. Jesus emphasizes that entering the Kingdom requires more than merely performing good deeds; it requires a relationship with the one who is truly good.
Matthew 19:17 Explanation and Commentary
In this verse, the question directed toward Jesus reveals much about humanity’s quest for righteousness. Often, we find ourselves searching for easy answers or quick solutions that will guarantee us eternal life. The young man approached Jesus, perhaps believing that there would be a simple formula, something he could do to earn salvation. His implication was that adhering to certain rules or commands could unlock the doors of heaven.
However, Jesus’s response serves to redirect the young man’s thoughts. By questioning the notion of goodness, He pushes us to reflect on the very nature of righteousness. Goodness isn’t merely about compliance with the law. Trying to be “good” can often lead us to a false sense of security. It creates the perception that we can appease God with our attempts at righteousness. This message is echoed throughout scripture. For instance, Romans 3:23 tells us, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” No one is exempt from this. Our flawed human nature continuously reminds us that we need God’s grace and guidance.
Jesus’s instruction to keep the commandments subsequently challenges the young man to contemplate not just outward actions but the state of his heart towards God and His teachings. This guidance leads us towards the importance of internalizing the spirit of the law rather than focusing solely on external compliance. Jesus’s life exemplified this as seen in Matthew 5:22, where he expands on the commandment against murder to also include anger and insults. Understanding God’s commandments and striving to align our lives with them signifies a deeper commitment to glorifying God through our actions.
Context of Matthew 19:17
To truly grasp the significance of Matthew 19:17, we must consider the broader context of the passage. Just before this encounter, Jesus was teaching about the sanctity of marriage and the importance of kingdom principles. When the young man approached Jesus, he genuinely sought to understand how to live a life that would ensure eternal life.
It is essential to recognize that the young man likely viewed the commandments as a transactional system—a way to earn favor with God. This mindset can be prevalent in our communities today, where people often think they must “do good” to gain access to heaven. Nevertheless, Jesus challenges this concept by pointing out that goodness stems from God alone. Therefore, attempting to achieve righteousness through our efforts is an acknowledgment of salvation by works, which flies in the face of grace. For example, Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us that, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
Understanding Jesus’s teachings in their proper context helps us to appreciate our need for grace and the primacy of relationship in our walk with God. The message remains relevant today where many still attempt to earn their way into heaven through their good deeds. This passage urges us to rediscover the heart of the gospel and lean into our relationship with the Lord for eternal assurance.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Matthew 19:17
As we reflect on Matthew 19:17, it is helpful to break down its components for a clearer understanding. The phrase “Why callest thou me good?” illustrates a pivotal moment in our understanding of Jesus’s identity. Jesus is not merely a teacher or prophet; he is the embodiment of goodness. This divine nature raises important questions about our perceptions of morality and goodness.
By pointing to God as the only source of goodness, Jesus draws attention to humanity’s need for divine intervention. Our attempts at doing good, while noble, will never meet the perfect standard set by God. This leads us to our humbling realization that approaching God requires recognizing our shortcomings and our need for His mercy, which brings us closer to Him.
Next comes the instruction to “keep the commandments.” Understandably, this can be confusing. We may ask how maintaining the law could achieve our goal of eternal life. Yet, this isn’t a checklist of tasks but an engagement with God that reflects our commitment to Him. By following God’s commandments, we align our lives with His will and reflect His character to others. Keeping God’s commandments isn’t merely a path for checking boxes—it is our way of expressing our love and obedience to Him. Jesus even summarizes the commandments by emphasizing love for God and neighbor in Matthew 22:37-40.
Lessons to Learn From Matthew 19:17
Understanding the deeper implications of Matthew 19:17 reveals several vital lessons for our lives. One of the essential lessons revolves around redefining our perception of goodness. Rather than striving to be inherently “good” on our own, we need to realize that we rely on God’s goodness bestowed upon us through His grace. Living a life that reflects God’s attributes involves acknowledging our flaws and seeking His strength to foster genuine goodness within us.
Another lesson is the importance of maintaining a relationship with God. The tenets of faith are not about mere adherence to commands, but about cultivating a profound connection with Jesus Christ. Keeping His commandments requires more than simple compliance; it involves a deep-rooted love for our Creator. Galatians 5:22-23 describes the fruits of the Spirit that should flow from our relationship with Christ. Genuine love and faith allow us to share goodness with the world, which speaks to the essence of living out our identities as God’s children.
Lastly, the dialogue reveals an urgent need for reflection on our hearts. Oftentimes, our external actions may mislead us into believing we are righteous. Yet, God is more concerned with the condition of our hearts than mere rituals. We can evaluate our motives for spiritual practices and examine whether our faith is vibrant, active, and genuine. This ongoing spiritual introspection leads us closer to God and grows our faith.
Final Thoughts
Matthew 19:17 provides a rich, profound perspective on our understanding of goodness, commandments, and the way to pursue eternal life. Through this encounter with a young man, we see how Jesus masterfully guides him—and us—towards recognizing God as the sole source of righteousness. Our journey does not call us to mere acts of goodness but to a transformational relationship with Christ!
As we ponder on these truths, we realize the significance of grace as we navigate our walk with God. None of us could ever earn our way to heaven, but through faith in Jesus, we can receive the gift of life. Let us strive to maintain our relationship with Him, serving as vessels of goodness in our interactions and sharing the hope of life with those around us.
Let us continue exploring our faith together. You may find insightful teachings by examining other passages like Matthew 11 or consider the foundational stories in Genesis 18. Each verse will deepen our understanding and uplift our spirits on this incredible journey of faith.