Bible Strands
Mark 10:18
“Why do you call Me good?” Jesus replied. “No one is good except God alone.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks to a man who has just approached Him kneeling and addressed Him as "Good Teacher." The exchange occurs immediately before Jesus lists the commandments in response to the man's question about inheriting eternal life.
The words — The Greek phrase τὶ με λέγεις (ti me legeis) literally means "why do you call Me." Jesus uses this direct question to probe the man's use of the title "good" before addressing the path to eternal life.
The thread — Matthew 19:17 records a parallel moment where Jesus asks, "Why do you ask Me about what is good?" rather than repeating the exact phrasing. Romans 3:12 echoes the verse's core premise by stating that no one does good, not even one.
Why it lands — The text asserts that absolute goodness belongs to God alone, establishing a theological boundary before addressing human obedience. It requires readers to examine whether they recognize Jesus' full identity before pursuing the requirements for eternal life.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
Cross-references
- 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.”
- Romans 3:12 All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”
- 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.
- 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.
- Psalms 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.
- Psalms 36:7 How precious is Your loving devotion, O God, that the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings!
- Psalms 86:5 For You, O Lord, are kind and forgiving, rich in loving devotion to all who call on You.