Matthew 19:16-22
19:17 a Why ask me? The man, as a Jew, should have known that God’s standard of goodness is clearly reflected in his commandments. The man’s questions (also 19:20 b) show that he was not trusting in the adequacy of God’s revealed will.• only One ... is good: The man may have believed he could act with perfect goodness on his own, whereas only God is truly good and thus the source of all goodness.
• keep the commandments: Jesus has in mind either leading the man to see his sinfulness by asking him to do the impossible, or more probably, restating that good works are a telling gauge of the truthfulness of a person’s faith (see 7:13-27 c).
Summary for Matt 19:21-22: 19:21-22 d By calling the man to go and sell and come, follow me, Jesus revealed that the man had not in fact kept the first of the ten commandments (Exod 20:3 e). His possessions—his wealth and security—had become his god (see Matt 6:20 f, 24 g; 13:44-46 h).
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