“Why do you call Me good?”In this passage, Jesus addresses a rich young ruler who approaches Him with a question about eternal life. The ruler calls Jesus "good teacher," a title that prompts Jesus to question the man's understanding of goodness. In Jewish culture, the term "good" was often reserved for God, reflecting His perfect nature. By asking this question, Jesus challenges the ruler to consider the implications of calling Him "good" and to recognize His divine nature. This moment also serves to highlight the ruler's superficial understanding of goodness, which is often based on human standards rather than divine holiness.
Jesus replied.
Jesus' response is direct and thought-provoking, characteristic of His teaching style. He often used questions and statements to lead individuals to deeper spiritual truths. This method encourages self-reflection and a deeper understanding of one's beliefs and assumptions. In the context of the Gospels, Jesus frequently engages with individuals in a way that reveals their hearts and challenges their preconceived notions about God, righteousness, and the kingdom of heaven.
“No one is good except God alone.”
This statement underscores the biblical teaching of God's unique holiness and moral perfection. In the Old Testament, passages such asPsalm 14:3 andEcclesiastes 7:20 affirm that all humans fall short of God's standards of goodness. By declaring that only God is truly good, Jesus emphasizes the need for divine grace and the futility of relying on human efforts for salvation. This assertion also subtly points to Jesus' own divine identity, as He embodies the goodness of God. Theologically, this phrase aligns with the doctrine of total depravity, which asserts that sin affects all aspects of human nature, making divine intervention necessary for redemption.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
JesusThe central figure in this passage, Jesus is responding to a question from a rich young ruler. His response highlights His teaching method and His understanding of divine goodness.
2.
Rich Young RulerAlthough not directly mentioned in this verse, the rich young ruler is the one who approaches Jesus with a question about eternal life, prompting Jesus' response.
3.
DisciplesPresent during this interaction, the disciples are witnesses to Jesus' teaching and are often the recipients of further explanation from Him.
4.
JudeaThe region where this event takes place, as Jesus is traveling towards Jerusalem.
5.
GodCentral to Jesus' response, God is identified as the only one who is truly good, emphasizing the divine nature of goodness.
Teaching Points
Understanding True GoodnessJesus challenges the common understanding of goodness, pointing to God as the ultimate standard. This calls us to evaluate our own perceptions of goodness in light of God's character.
Recognizing Human LimitationsBy stating that only God is good, Jesus reminds us of our own limitations and the need for humility. We should acknowledge our dependence on God's grace and righteousness.
The Nature of JesusJesus' question invites reflection on His identity. While He is fully human, He is also fully divine, sharing in the goodness of God. This dual nature is central to Christian faith.
Moral and Spiritual ReflectionThis passage encourages believers to reflect on their own moral and spiritual state, recognizing that true goodness comes from a relationship with God.
Pursuing Godly CharacterAs followers of Christ, we are called to pursue a character that reflects God's goodness, relying on the Holy Spirit to transform us.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Mark 10:18?
2.Why does Jesus question being called "good" in Mark 10:18?
3.How does Mark 10:18 emphasize God's unique goodness?
4.What Old Testament verses affirm God's goodness as seen in Mark 10:18?
5.How can we apply the understanding of God's goodness in daily life?
6.How does recognizing God's goodness influence our relationship with Him?
7.Why does Jesus say, "No one is good except God alone" in Mark 10:18?
8.How does Mark 10:18 challenge the concept of human goodness?
9.What does Mark 10:18 reveal about Jesus' identity and divinity?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Mark 10?
11.Do you consider yourself morally good?
12.What is Plato's Form of the Good?
13.What were the teachings of Jesus?
14.What does "God is good" mean?What Does Mark 10:18 Mean
Why do you call Me good?Jesus begins with a probing question, moving the rich young ruler from flattery to self-examination. By challenging the use of the word “good,” He forces the man to think about what true goodness entails.
•Romans 3:12 reminds us, “All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” The comparison between human goodness and divine goodness immediately surfaces.
•Ecclesiastes 7:20 echoes the same: “Surely there is no righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.”
• The question also nudges the hearer to recognize Jesus’ own identity. If only God is good and Jesus is truly good, then Jesus must be more than a mere teacher (John 14:9;John 10:30).
In raising the issue, Jesus graciously dismantles superficial views of morality and prepares the heart for a deeper understanding of salvation.
Jesus repliedMark notes that Jesus “replied,” underscoring His deliberate, thoughtful engagement. He doesn’t brush off the compliment; He redirects it toward truth.
• Parallel accounts (Matthew 19:17;Luke 18:19) show the same calm, authoritative response.
• Jesus’ manner fits His larger pattern—He often answers questions with questions (Mark 11:30;Luke 20:3–4) to reveal motives and invite reflection.
• By replying rather than rebuking harshly, He models the gentle yet firm approach urged in2 Timothy 2:24–25.
The exchange reveals a Savior who values sincere seekers yet refuses to let them remain in comfortable misunderstanding.
No one is goodHere Jesus states an absolute moral fact. In literal terms, not one human being qualifies as inherently good.
•Psalm 14:3 repeats this verdict: “All have turned away, all alike have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.”
•Isaiah 64:6 describes our best efforts as “filthy rags,” emphasizing that even noble deeds are tainted by sin.
•1 John 1:8 cautions, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”
This declaration strips away self-reliance. The rich young ruler thought he had kept the commandments (Mark 10:20), but Jesus shows that external compliance cannot erase the inner corruption common to all.
Except God aloneHaving dismissed human claims to goodness, Jesus points to the sole source of perfect righteousness—God Himself.
•Psalm 25:8 affirms, “Good and upright is the LORD.”
•James 1:17 adds, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.”
•1 John 1:5 declares, “God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all.”
• By implication, Jesus directs attention back to His own divine nature. Later He says plainly, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30). The same goodness attributed uniquely to God is perfectly embodied in Christ (Colossians 2:9).
Thus the statement both confronts human sinfulness and quietly unveils the deity of Jesus.
summaryMark 10:18 dismantles shallow notions of human goodness, confronts pride, and redirects all honor to God alone. Jesus’ pointed question reveals that:
• Humans fall short of God’s perfect standard.
• Genuine goodness belongs exclusively to God.
• Recognizing this truth prepares the heart to see Jesus as the divine Savior who alone meets the standard we never could.
(18)
Why callest thou me good?--Our Lord's question is, in St. Mark's report, in harmony with that of the seeker after life eternal. Its obvious drift was to force him back upon the conditions of absolute goodness, to make him ask himself how far, and under what conditions, that word might be used relatively of any child of man.
Verse 18. -
Why callestthou me good? According to the best authorities, the words in St. Matthew (
Matthew 21:17) run thus: "Why askest thou me concerning that which is good? One there is who is good." The word "good" is the pivot on which our Lord's answer turns, both in St. Matthew and here. The question is doubtless put to test the young ruler's faith. If, as may be supposed, the young man used the term, "good Master," as a mere conventional expression, it was not the proper epithet to apply to our Lord, who at once transfers the praise and the goodness to God, that he might teach us to do the same. This ruler, by his mode of accosting our Lord, showed that he had not as yet a right faith in him - that he did not believe in his Godhead. Our Lord, therefore, desired to rouse him and lift him up to a higher faith. He seems to say to him, "If you call me good, believe that I am God; for no one is good, intrinsically good, but God. God alone is essentially good, and wise, and powerful, and holy. It is from him that angels and men derive a few drops, or rather some faint adumbration, of his goodness. There is none essentially, entirely, absolutely good but one, that is, God. Therefore seek after him, love him, imitate him. He alone can satisfy your longing desires, as in this life with his grace, so in the life to come with his glory; yea, with himself. For in heaven he manifested himself as the supreme good, to be tasted and enjoyed by the blessed for ever."
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
“WhyΤί(Ti)Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101:Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.do you callλέγεις(legeis)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 3004:(a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.Meμε(me)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.good?”ἀγαθόν(agathon)Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 18:A primary word; 'good'.JesusἸησοῦς(Iēsous)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424:Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.replied.εἶπεν(eipen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036:Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.“No one [is]οὐδεὶς(oudeis)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3762:No one, none, nothing.goodἀγαθὸς(agathos)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 18:A primary word; 'good'.exceptεἰ(ei)Conjunction
Strong's 1487:If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.GodΘεός(Theos)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316:A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.alone.εἷς(heis)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1520:One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.
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NT Gospels: Mark 10:18 Jesus said to him Why do you (Mar Mk Mr) 
