Devine Scripture

Matthew 19:17

What does Matthew 19:17 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 19:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 19:17 means

Jesus challenged the man's premise, asking why he inquired about 'that which is good,' asserting that 'One there is who is good' — referring to God alone as the ultimate standard of goodness. He then directed the man to 'keep the commandments' if he wished to enter into life. This statement redirected the man's focus from his own self-effort to God's perfect standard, pointing him to the Law as a means of exposing his inability to perfectly keep it.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he said unto him, Why askest thou me concerning that which is good? One there is who is good: but if thou wouldest enter into life, keep the commandments.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he said unto him, Why askest thou me concerning that which is good? One there is who is good: but if thou wouldest enter into life, keep the commandments.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said to him, Why are you questioning me about what is good? One there is who is good: but if you have a desire to go into life, keep the rules of the law.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And he said to him, `Why me dost thou call good? no one <FI>is<Fi> good except One--God; but if thou dost will to enter into the life, keep the commands.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Who said to him: Why askest thou me concerning good? One is good, God. But if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he said to him, What askest thou me concerning goodness? one is good. But if thou wouldest enter into life, keep the commandments.

Context

Directly responding to the rich young ruler's question in verse 16, Jesus immediately reframes the conversation around the intrinsic goodness of God. By then directing the man to the commandments, Jesus sets up a critical test, leading the young man to assess his own perceived righteousness against God's perfect standard, which will be elaborated upon in the following verses.

v.16And behold, one came to him and said, Teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

v.17This passage

v.18He saith unto him, Which? And Jesus said, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 John 4:16

    And we know and have believed the love which God hath in us. God is love; and he that abideth in love abideth in God, and God abideth in him.

  • Leviticus 18:5

    Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and mine ordinances; which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am Jehovah.

  • Romans 10:5

    For Moses writeth that the man that doeth the righteousness which is of the law shall live thereby.

  • James 1:17

    Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, neither shadow that is cast by turning.

  • Galatians 3:11

    Now that no man is justified by the law before God, is evident: for, The righteous shall live by faith;

  • Nehemiah 9:29

    and testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law. Yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thine ordinances (which if a man do, he shall live in them), and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear.

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