Matthew 19:17 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

Jesus answered him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is [only] One who is good [i.e., God]. But if you want to enter [never ending] life, [then] obey His commandments.”

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

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.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

And He said to him, Why do you ask Me about the perfectly and essentially good? There is only One Who is good [perfectly and essentially]–God. If you would enter into the Life, you must continually keep the commandments.

American Standard Version (1901)

And he said unto him, Why askest thou me concerning that which is good? One there is who is good: but if thou wouldest enter into life, keep the commandments.

Common English Bible

Jesus said, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There’s only one who is good. If you want to enter eternal life, keep the commandments.”

Catholic Public Domain Version

And he said to him: "Why do you question me about what is good? One is good: God. But if you wish to enter into life, observe the commandments."

Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version

Who said to him: Why asketh thou me concerning good? One is good, God. But if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

Matthew 19:17 Cross References

Romans 10:5

For Moses wrote [Lev. 18:5] about a person being made right with God by obeying the requirements of the Law of Moses, that he would gain [never ending] life for doing this.

James 1:17

Every good [thing that is given] and every perfect gift [received] is from above, coming down from the Father of [heavenly] lights, with whom there can be no change or shifting shadow [i.e., God always remains the same].

1 John 4:16

And we have known [with certainty] and have believed [with assurance] that God has truly loved us. God’s [very nature] is love and the person who [continually] loves [Him and others] lives in [fellowship with] God [continually], and God [continually] lives in that person’s heart.