What Old Testament verses affirm God's goodness as seen in Mark 10:18? Mark 10:18—Jesus Highlights God’s Unrivaled Goodness “Why do you call Me good?” Jesus replied. “No one is good except God alone.” (Mark 10:18) Jesus draws attention to the absolute moral perfection of God, echoing truths long revealed in the Hebrew Scriptures. Below is a concise tour of Old Testament passages that declare the very same reality. Old Testament Verses That Explicitly Call the LORD “Good” • Exodus 33:19 — “I will cause all My goodness to pass before you, and I will proclaim My name, the LORD, in your presence.” • Psalm 25:8 — “Good and upright is the LORD; therefore He shows sinners the way.” • Psalm 34:8 — “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!” • Psalm 86:5 — “For You, O Lord, are good, and ready to forgive; abundant in loving devotion to all who call upon You.” • Psalm 100:5 — “For the LORD is good, and His loving devotion endures forever; His faithfulness continues to all generations.” • Psalm 106:1 — “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.” • Psalm 107:1 — “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.” • Psalm 119:68 — “You are good, and You do what is good; teach me Your statutes.” • 1 Chronicles 16:34 — “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.” • 2 Chronicles 7:3 — “They ... gave thanks to the LORD, saying: ‘For He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.’” • Nahum 1:7 — “The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of distress; He cares for those who trust in Him.” Passages That Showcase the Quality of God’s Goodness • Exodus 34:6 — “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness.” • Deuteronomy 32:4 — “He is the Rock, His work is perfect; all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice; righteous and upright is He.” • Jeremiah 33:11 — “Give thanks to the LORD of Hosts, for the LORD is good; His loving devotion endures forever.” Key Themes Emerging from These Texts • God’s goodness is intrinsic, not earned or bestowed by others. • His goodness is always paired with covenant love, mercy, and faithfulness. • The goodness of God becomes a refuge and stronghold for His people (Nahum 1:7; Psalm 34:8). • Because God is good, He instructs, forgives, and sustains (Psalm 25:8; 86:5; 119:68). • Public praise is the right response: Israel’s liturgy regularly repeats “Give thanks ... for He is good” (1 Chronicles 16:34; Psalm 106:1). Connecting Back to Mark 10:18 When Jesus states that “no one is good except God alone,” He is reaffirming the Old Testament witness that perfect goodness is God’s exclusive domain. The rich biblical heritage above underlines the point: every proclamation of divine goodness in Israel’s Scriptures finds its ultimate focus in the God revealed through Jesus Christ. |
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