Matthew 19:17
KJV
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.
NIV
“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good [omit]. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”
Jesus is good, and even called himself “the good shepherd” (John 10:11,14). This young man, however, who called Jesus “Good Master” (Mat. 19:16 KJV) didn’t actually believe Jesus was as good as God, revealed by the fact that he was unwilling to forsake his possessions to follow Jesus (v.21-23). This is why Jesus asked him, “Why callest thou me good?” But because modern versions distort v.16, they also change the subject of Christ’s reply from himself (“Good Master … Why callest thou me good?” – KJV) to the works (“what good thing must I do…? … Why do you ask me about what is good?” – Modern Versions).
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