New Testament

Mark 10:18

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 responds to a man who calls him 'good.

Author
John Mark
Written
Around AD 55-65
Genre
Gospel
Original Audience
Roman and Gentile Christians
CBTClear Bible Translation

Jesus said to him, "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? there is none good but one, that is, God.

Verse Analysis

Plain-English insight for readers

In this verse, Jesus responds to a man who calls him 'good.' He questions why the man uses this term, emphasizing that true goodness is found only in God. This statement highlights Jesus' humility and his desire to redirect the focus from himself to God. By doing so, he teaches that while humans can strive for goodness, ultimate goodness belongs solely to God. This interaction also serves to challenge the man's understanding of goodness and encourages deeper reflection on the nature of God and morality. Jesus is not denying his divinity but is instead inviting the man to recognize the divine source of goodness. This moment illustrates the importance of acknowledging God as the ultimate standard of goodness, rather than placing human beings on a pedestal. It encourages believers to seek a relationship with God, who embodies true goodness, rather than merely adhering to moral standards. Explore related kindness.

How to apply Mark 10:18 to your life

This verse encourages us to reflect on our understanding of goodness. We should recognize that true goodness comes from God alone. In our daily lives, we can strive to embody God's goodness by showing love, kindness, and humility towards others, acknowledging our dependence on Him.

Curated for this public verse page. Mark Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Mark 10:18 mean?

In Mark 10:18, Jesus questions why a man calls him 'good,' emphasizing that true goodness is found only in God. This highlights Jesus' humility and redirects the focus from himself to God, teaching that ultimate goodness belongs solely to the divine.

How does Mark 10:18 relate to humility?

Mark 10:18 illustrates humility by showing Jesus redirecting praise away from himself and towards God. This teaches that acknowledging God as the ultimate standard of goodness is essential for understanding true humility.

What can we learn from Mark 10:18 about goodness?

Mark 10:18 teaches that true goodness comes from God alone, encouraging us to seek a relationship with Him. It reminds us to embody qualities like love and kindness while recognizing our dependence on God's goodness.

The Book of Mark
Book Summary

The Book of Mark

Mark 1: John the Baptist and the Beginning of Jesus's Ministry

John the Baptist appears in the wilderness and preaches a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. People from Judaea and Jerusalem come to him, confess their sins, and are baptized in the river Jordan. John wears camel's hair and a leather belt and eats locusts and wild honey. He announces that someone stronger than he is coming after him and says he is not worthy to stoop down and untie his sandals. He baptizes with water, but the one coming will baptize with the Holy Ghost.

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