Luke 18:19

19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “Only God is truly good.

Luke 18:19 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 18:19

And Jesus said unto him
In answer to his question, beginning with the character he gave him:

why callest thou me good?
it being unusual to address men, even their Rabbins, under such a title:

none is good, save one, [that is], God:
or "but God alone"; as the Vulgate Latin and Arabic versions render it; or, "but the one God", as read the Syriac, Persic, and Ethiopic versions; (See Gill on Matthew 19:17).

Luke 18:19 In-Context

17 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”

18 Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: “Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?”

19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “Only God is truly good.

20 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother.’ ”

21 The man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”