Mat 19:17 Why do you call me good? [there is] none good but one, [that is], God: but if you will enter into life, keep the commandments.

First, before thinking about this verse, you should read or re-read this article about the terms used for "good" and "evil." I just did myself to refresh my memory. The term used here is agathos, which is the one Matthew uses for Christ describing good people. The question is, why does Christ reject being called "good?" What does he say that no one is good except God? Christ uses this term to refer to some people, contrasting the good with the useless, and to people's actions, but here he contradicts someone for calling him a good teacher.

I think it is because he wanted to separate himself and his life from God. He was clearly aware of the human limitations of his nature.


"Good" is from agathos, which "good" and, when applied to people, "well-born," "gentle," "brave," and "capable." When applied to things, it means "serviceable," "morally good," and "beneficial."

"None" is from oudeis , which means "no one," "not one," and "nothing."