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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Matthew 19:17 - 19:17
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17. τί με ἐρωτᾷς περὶ τοῦ ἀγαθοῦ; The form in which our Lord’s answer is reported in Mark and Luke is: τί με λέγεις ἀγαθόν; οὐδεὶς ἀγαθός, εἰ μὴ εἷς ὁ θεός. According to St Matthew’s report, our Lord seizes upon the word ἀγαθὸν in the ruler’s question; according to the other gospels the reply turns on the use of the word as applied to himself, ἀγαθὲ διδάσκαλε. But though the reports differ in form, in effect they are identical. Christ’s answer is so framed as to wake reflection. ‘Why do you put this question about “the good,” why do you call me “good?” Do you understand the meaning of your own question?’ It was not a simple question, as the ruler thought: two points are raised: (1) What is ‘the good?’ (2) How to enter life eternal. Then again the answer to the first is partly left to inference, and the answer to the second lies deeper than the young ruler’s thoughts had gone. (1) There is one only who is good, therefore (the inference is) ‘the good’ can only be the will of God. (2) Then the way to enter into life eternal is to keep God’s will as expressed in the commandments. Jesus shews that here too the questioner had not thought deeply enough. Keeping the commandments is not external observance of them, but being in heart what the commandments mean, and what the will of God is.
Note in this incident (1) the manner of Jesus adapting itself to the condition of the ‘scholar,’ one who had leisure to think, and who plumed himself on having thought. To such he points out the way to deeper reflection. (2) The mission of Jesus to ‘fulfil the law.’ (3) The spiritual use of the law (the ten commandments), as awakening the sense of sin, and so leading to repentance. Bengel says: ‘Jesus securos ad Legem remittit, contritos evangelice consolatur.’