Luke 18:19 (KJV)

What does Luke 18:19 mean?

Luke 18:19 records Jesus responding to someone who called him "good," saying, "Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God." Jesus is highlighting that true goodness belongs to God alone, prompting the person to think carefully about what it means to call someone "good."

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to a man who addressed him as "Good Master" while asking about eternal life. By questioning why he is called "good," Jesus shifts the focus from human standards of goodness to God's unique, perfect goodness. This response encourages the man—and readers—to reflect on the nature of goodness and the identity of Jesus in relation to God.

The Greek behind Luke 18:19

• ἀγαθός (agathos, "good"): This word means morally good or upright. Jesus draws attention to this word to challenge assumptions about what true goodness is and who possesses it.
• εἷς (heis, "one"): The Greek emphasizes that only one—God—is truly good, underlining the uniqueness and singularity of God's moral perfection.
• θεός (theos, "God"): By naming God as the only truly good one, Jesus directs attention away from human achievement and toward God's character.

Why Luke 18:19 matters

• Luke 18:19 helps clear up the common idea that people can be "good enough" on their own; Jesus points out that ultimate goodness is God's alone.
• The verse invites readers to think more deeply about who Jesus is, since he does not deny being good but instead redirects the conversation to God's unique goodness.
• This moment sets up the rest of the conversation about eternal life, showing that entering God's kingdom is not about human merit but about recognizing God's standard.