New Testament

Luke 18:19

The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English

At a Glance

In this verse, Jesus challenges the notion of goodness.

Author
Luke the physician
Written
Around AD 60-62
Genre
Gospel and history
Original Audience
Gentile Christians (addressed to Theophilus)
CBTClear Bible Translation

Jesus replied, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.

KJVKing James Version

And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.

Verse Analysis

Plain-English insight for readers

In this verse, Jesus challenges the notion of goodness. When someone calls Him 'good,' He points out that true goodness belongs only to God. This statement emphasizes the divine nature of goodness and suggests that human standards of goodness are flawed. Jesus is not denying His goodness but is redirecting the focus to God, highlighting that He is the ultimate source of goodness. This interaction serves to remind us that while we may strive to be good, our understanding of goodness is limited compared to God's perfect nature. It also invites us to reflect on our own perceptions of goodness and to recognize that true goodness is found in a relationship with God, who embodies all that is good and right. This moment illustrates Jesus' humility and His role in revealing God's character to humanity, encouraging us to seek a deeper understanding of what it means to be good in the eyes of God. Explore related kindness.

How to apply Luke 18:19 to your life

This verse encourages us to evaluate our understanding of goodness. Instead of relying solely on our definitions, we should seek to understand goodness through God's perspective. This can lead to a more profound relationship with God and a more accurate reflection of His character in our lives.

Curated for this public verse page. Luke Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Luke 18:19 mean?

In Luke 18:19, Jesus questions why someone calls Him 'good,' stating that only God is truly good. This highlights that human perceptions of goodness are limited and emphasizes the divine nature of goodness.

How does Luke 18:19 relate to humility?

This verse illustrates Jesus' humility by redirecting praise for goodness to God. It shows that even in His role as a teacher and leader, Jesus acknowledges the supremacy of God's goodness.

What does this verse teach about our understanding of goodness?

Luke 18:19 encourages us to reflect on our definitions of goodness, suggesting that they may fall short compared to God's standard. It invites us to seek a deeper understanding of goodness through a relationship with God.

The Book of Luke
Book Summary

The Book of Luke

Luke 1: The Births of John the Baptist and Jesus Foretold

In the days of Herod, king of Judaea, a priest named Zacharias serves in the temple. He and his wife Elisabeth are both righteous but have no children because Elisabeth is barren, and they are both old. While Zacharias burns incense, the angel Gabriel appears to him and says Elisabeth will bear a son who is to be named John. The child will be great before the Lord, will drink no wine or strong drink, and will be filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb. He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. Zacharias asks how he can know this, since he and his wife are old. Gabriel says Zacharias will be unable to speak until these things come to pass because he did not believe.

Premium

Unlock the full Luke summary

Continue reading every chapter — themes, structure, and turning points.

The complete summary of Luke — a chapter-by-chapter breakdown covering all 24 chapters.

What you get

Every chapter of Luke summarized in clear, modern English

How each section connects — narrative flow, key themes, and turning points

Permanent access — read anytime, on any device

Best Value

Best value • Save over 90%

or

One-time purchase • Access anytime

ClearBible summaries are proprietary content and may not be copied, republished, or resold.

Checkout works as a guest. After payment, you create an account to claim your unlock.