Why does Jesus question the man's understanding of "good" in Mark 10:17? Narrative Setting Mark 10:13–16 has just portrayed Jesus blessing little children: “Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it” (v. 15). Immediately a prosperous, morally earnest adult runs up and asks, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (v. 17). The contrast—trusting children versus an achievement-oriented adult—frames everything that follows. Jesus’ Counter-Question “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone” (Mark 10:18). Far from deflecting praise, Jesus forces the man to clarify what he means by “good” (Greek ἀγαθός, agathos). Old Testament Witness to Exclusive Divine Goodness Psalm 119:68 “You are good, and You do what is good.” Psalm 14:3 “All have turned away… there is no one who does good, not even one.” Ecclesiastes 7:20 “There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins.” Scripture allows only one Being to bear the absolute title “Good”: Yahweh. Purpose 1: Recalibrating the Man’s Moral Standard By pressing the word “good,” Jesus redirects the conversation from a conventional human scale (“pretty good”) to the divine benchmark (“perfect”). The man approaches with résumé in hand; Jesus exposes the futility of human merit in light of God’s flawless holiness (Isaiah 6:3; Matthew 5:48). Purpose 2: Christological Self-Revelation Jesus does not deny His own goodness; He challenges the man to consider its implications. If only God is genuinely “Good” and the man calls Jesus “Good,” the logical conclusion is Jesus = God. Mark’s Gospel has been building this case (1:1; 2:5-12; 4:41; 6:48-52; 8:27-30). The question is an invitation: “Do you realize whom you’re addressing?” Purpose 3: Soteriological Diagnosis of Self-Righteousness After the “Good” exchange, Jesus lists commandments (10:19). The man claims lifelong compliance. Jesus then exposes the hidden idol of wealth (10:21-22). The sequence proves no law-keeping can secure eternal life; only acknowledging Jesus’ divine goodness and following Him in dependence will suffice (10:26-27). Synoptic Harmony Matthew 19:16-17 records, “Teacher, what good deed must I do…?” then, “Why do you ask Me about what is good?” Matthew shifts the adjective to the deed, emphasizing the same point: goodness defined by God alone. Luke 18:18-19 is nearly verbatim to Mark, underscoring the shared tradition. Patristic Confirmation • Irenaeus (Against Heresies IV.12.2) cites the passage to affirm both the deity of Christ and the moral incapacity of humanity. • Augustine (Sermon 155) argues the Lord spoke “not to deny His own goodness but to teach the proud young man humility.” Theological Implications 1. Doctrine of Total Depravity: humanity lacks intrinsic goodness (Romans 3:10-12). 2. Deity of Christ: recognizing Jesus as “Good” necessitates confessing Him as God (John 20:28). 3. Salvation by Grace: eternal life comes not by doing but by trusting and following the only Good One (Ephesians 2:8-9). Practical Application Modern seekers likewise apply a sliding human scale—“I’m a decent person.” Jesus redirects them to the absolute righteousness of God, revealing moral shortfall and pointing to Himself as the sole sufficient Savior. Evangelistically, starting with God’s perfection clarifies why Christ’s cross and resurrection are indispensable (2 Corinthians 5:21). Summary Jesus questions the man’s use of “good” to: • Elevate the standard of goodness to God’s character. • Prompt recognition of Jesus’ own divine identity. • Expose the futility of self-righteousness and awaken the need for grace. Only by acknowledging God alone as perfectly good—then seeing that perfect goodness embodied in the risen Christ—can anyone inherit eternal life. |
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