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 19:17KJV
Know the Bible

Matthew 19:17 (KJV)

What does Matthew 19:17 mean?

Matthew 19:17 records Jesus responding to a man who called him "good," saying that only God is truly good and telling the man that if he wants to enter into life, he should keep the commandments. Jesus is emphasizing that goodness belongs to God alone and that obedience to God's commandments is the way to receive life.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to a man who has asked what good thing he must do to have eternal life. Jesus redirects the man's focus from human ideas of goodness to God's standard, and then points him to the commandments as the revealed way to live rightly. This sets up the deeper conversation about what it truly means to follow God.

The Greek behind Matthew 19:17

  • The word "good" (ἀγαθός, agathos) is used twice here, highlighting the idea of moral perfection. Jesus challenges the man's use of this word, making him think about what true goodness is and where it comes from.
  • The word "life" (ζωή, zōē) refers to more than just physical existence; it often means the fullness of life that comes from God, including eternal life.
  • The word "keep" (τηρέω, tēreō) means to guard or observe carefully. Jesus is not just talking about knowing the commandments, but actively living them out.

Why Matthew 19:17 matters

  • Matthew 19:17 corrects the idea that anyone but God can be called truly "good," reminding readers that human goodness is always limited compared to God's.
  • The verse shifts the focus from seeking a special action to earn eternal life to faithfully following God's revealed commandments.
  • This exchange sets the stage for Jesus to reveal deeper truths about discipleship and what it means to truly follow him, which unfolds in the following verses.

Where else these words appear

“commandments” Greek G1785 · used in 65 verses

  • Matthew 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
  • John 12:50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.
  • Hebrews 7:5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:

“keep” Greek G5083 · used in 68 verses

  • Matthew 23:3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
  • Acts 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
  • 2 Peter 3:7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

“but” Greek G1508 · used in 87 verses

  • Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
  • Luke 4:26 But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.
  • Romans 14:14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

“good” Greek G18 · used in 90 verses

  • Matthew 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
  • Acts 9:36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
  • Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: