Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Matthew 19:17. It's a really important and often misunderstood passage about our relationship with Jesus and living a righteous life. Here’s the explanation in simple terms: The Core Idea: Jesus is talking to someone who’s contemplating a big decision – like whether or not to follow him into eternal life. He’s asking, “Why do you call me good?” And he’s answering with a surprising truth: “There is only one God.” Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And he said unto him…” : This sets up a conversation between Jesus and someone who's thinking deeply about this question. “…Why callest thou me good?” : Jesus is essentially challenging the person to explain why they think they are good. He’s asking for an explanation of their values or how they live their life. “[there is] none good but one, [that is], God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” : This is the crucial part. Jesus says that God alone is truly good. And to actually live a good life, they need to follow specific rules or guidelines – these are called “commandments” (or laws). So, what does it mean? It means that following God’s teachings and living righteously is the only way to achieve eternal life. It's not about being perfect; it’s about obeying God's will. It's a promise of reward for those who live in accordance with God’s principles. Important Context: This verse is often misinterpreted as saying that we don’t need to do anything good on our own. It’s actually a statement about the nature of God and how we connect with Him. It emphasizes that God's love and goodness are fundamental to our destiny. In short, Jesus is saying that true worth and reward come from obeying God’s laws. --- Resources for Further Learning: Bible Gateway: [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/ESV%20MAT%2019%2C%2017](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/ESV%20MAT%2019%2017) GotQuestions.org: [https://www.gotquestions.org/Matthew-19-17.html](https://www.gotquestions.org/Matthew-19-17.html) Do you want me to explain anything in more detail, or would you like to explore a specific aspect of this verse (like the idea of "commandments" – which are really important)?