Mark 10:18
What does Mark 10:18 mean?
A plain-English look at Mark 10:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Mark 10:18 means
Jesus gently questions the man's address 'Good Teacher,' redirecting his focus from Jesus' perceived moral excellence to the unique goodness of God alone. This probing question isn't a denial of Jesus' deity but a challenge to the man's understanding of who Jesus truly is and the source of ultimate goodness. It invites him to consider the implications of calling Jesus 'good.'
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good save one, even God.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good save one, even God.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Jesus said to him, Why do you say I am good? no one is good but one, and that is God.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Jesus said to him, `Why me dost thou call good? no one <FI>is<Fi> good except One--God;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And Jesus said to him: Why callest thou me good? None is good but one, that is God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But Jesus said to him, Why callest thou me good? no one is good but one, [that is]God.
Context
In response to the rich young man's address, Jesus immediately engages him with a question, subtly challenging his understanding of 'goodness' and its ultimate source. This interaction sets the stage for Jesus to reveal the man's incomplete spiritual understanding and to point him toward the absolute standard of God's righteous law, which soon follows.
v.17And as he was going forth into the way, there ran one to him, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
v.18This passage
v.19Thou knowest the commandments, Do not kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor thy father and mother.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 John 4:8
He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
- John 5:41
I receive not glory from men.
- Romans 3:12
They have all turned aside, they are together become unprofitable; There is none that doeth good, no, not so much as one:
- Matthew 19:17
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.
- Psalms 86:5
For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in lovingkindness unto all them that call upon thee.
- Luke 18:19
And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, even God.
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