Matthew 19 16

Matthew 19:16 kjv

And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

Matthew 19:16 nkjv

Now behold, one came and said to Him, "Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?"

Matthew 19:16 niv

Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"

Matthew 19:16 esv

And behold, a man came up to him, saying, "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?"

Matthew 19:16 nlt

Someone came to Jesus with this question: "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?"

Matthew 19 verses

Matthew 19 16 Meaning

Matthew 19:16 records a pivotal interaction where a wealthy young man approaches Jesus with a direct, works-oriented question: "Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?" This verse sets the stage for a profound discussion about the nature of true righteousness, the limitations of human effort in meriting salvation, and the ultimate source of eternal life, laying bare a common misconception that spiritual attainment is achieved through meritorious deeds. It reveals a sincere desire for eternal life but rooted in a faulty understanding of how one truly enters into it.

Matthew 19 16 Context

Matthew 19:16 occurs immediately after Jesus' teachings on marriage and divorce and directly precedes the account of Jesus blessing the children and His later, crucial teaching about the difficulty of the rich entering the Kingdom of God. The chapter begins with Jesus in Judea and Transjordan, moving toward Jerusalem. The rich young ruler's question arises from a Jewish cultural understanding prevalent at the time, which often linked meticulous observance of the Law (works) with righteousness and the attainment of salvation. People genuinely believed that performing "good deeds" would earn them merit before God. His question reflects a common Rabbinic inquiry of the era: "What specific mitzvah (commandment) must I do to ensure I have a place in the world to come?" The narrative serves as a pivotal moment where Jesus challenges this ingrained meritocratic perspective, highlighting the insufficiency of human effort and setting the stage for the true path to eternal life, which transcends mere adherence to external rules.

Matthew 19 16 Word analysis

• And behold: (καὶ ἰδοὺ, kai idou) This Greek phrase often introduces something striking, significant, or unexpected. It functions to grab the reader's attention, signaling a moment of dramatic importance or a sudden turn in the narrative, highlighting the prominence of the young man and his inquiry.
• one: (εἷς, heis) Refers to a specific individual who approaches Jesus. Though unnamed initially, the parallel accounts identify him as rich (Matt 19:22), young (Matt 19:20), and a ruler (Lk 18:18). This collective description underscores his apparent outward success and high standing within society.
• came: (προσελθὼν, proselthōn) This is an aorist participle, indicating a deliberate and active approach. The young man sought Jesus out with purpose, demonstrating earnestness and sincerity in his quest for eternal life.
• and said to Him: (εἶπεν αὐτῷ, eípen autō) Direct address to Jesus, indicating a face-to-face interaction where the young man seeks Jesus' specific guidance on a matter of utmost importance.
• Teacher: (Διδάσκαλε, Didaskale) A common respectful form of address for a revered instructor or rabbi. It acknowledges Jesus' authority and wisdom in matters of religious truth. While the prompt provides "Teacher," it is critical to note that most ancient Greek manuscripts for Matthew 19:16 (as well as Mark 10:17 and Luke 18:18) use "Good Teacher" (Διδάσκαλε ἀγαθέ). Jesus' response in Matthew 19:17, "Why do you ask Me about what is good? There is only One who is good," directly addresses the "good" in this title, guiding the young man towards understanding that only God is truly, intrinsically good, implying a higher source for goodness than human action.
• what good thing: (τί ἀγαθὸν, ti agathon) This phrase specifically points to an action or deed. The young man is asking about a specific moral requirement, reflecting a works-based understanding of salvation where eternal life can be achieved through a quantifiable set of virtuous acts. It exposes his fundamental misunderstanding of salvation.
• shall I do: (ποιήσω, poiēsō) A future active indicative verb, emphasizing the young man's intention to perform an action. His question centers on doing something, believing his own efforts and compliance are the means to salvation. It reveals his focus on earning rather than receiving.
• that I may obtain: (ἵνα ἔχω, hina echō) Literally "in order that I may have" or "possess." This purpose clause clarifies the ultimate goal: securing a right to eternal life through his proposed action. It speaks of an outcome desired through personal exertion.
• eternal life: (ζωὴν αἰώνιον, zōēn aiōnion) More than merely endless existence, zōēn aiōnion refers to the quality of life that belongs to God, life in fellowship with Him, both in this age and the age to come. It represents salvation, inclusion in God's Kingdom, and blessedness with God for eternity. It is the highest spiritual aspiration.

Words-group analysis

• what good thing shall I do: This phrase encapsulates the core human tendency towards self-righteousness and merit-based salvation. It represents the mindset of one who believes entry into God's Kingdom is achieved through personal accomplishments or obedience to religious laws, rather than by divine grace. It is the pivotal question that Jesus proceeds to address and reframe throughout His subsequent dialogue, highlighting the insufficiency of human endeavor.
• that I may obtain eternal life: This expresses the profound spiritual hunger within the young man for the ultimate blessing of fellowship with God, emphasizing the eternal stakes of the question. Despite his flawed approach, his goal is indeed the most important aspiration one could have. It highlights the universality of the human yearning for meaning and perpetuity.

Matthew 19 16 Bonus section

The youth's question "what good thing shall I do?" carries a strong polemical undertone against the notion that mere external observance of the Law, or a simple transactional understanding of spirituality, can satisfy God's standard or merit eternal life. The Jewish society, while valuing good works derived from the Law, sometimes blurred the line between the Law's role in revealing God's righteousness and humanity's inability, and its perceived role as a means to earn salvation. Jesus, by redirecting the question about "good" to God alone in the following verse (Mk 10:18), implicitly corrects this anthropocentric view. He shows that true goodness resides intrinsically with God, making human attempts at "goodness" for merit ultimately insufficient without divine transformation. This sets up the tension that the Law's role is not to grant life (Gal 3:21), but to point to the need for Christ (Gal 3:24).

Matthew 19 16 Commentary

Matthew 19:16 provides a crucial snapshot of the spiritual worldview prevalent during Jesus' time and common throughout human history: the belief that one can earn salvation or "good standing" with God through specific actions or perfect adherence to religious law. The rich young man's earnest question reflects a sincere, yet misguided, spiritual search for meaning and perpetuity. He embodies the desire to control one's destiny through human agency, implicitly denying the depth of human fallenness and the necessity of divine intervention.

Jesus' subsequent interaction, where He redirects the young man's focus from "what good thing I do" to the singular goodness of God and then exposes the young man's inability to fully live up to God's standard by highlighting his attachment to wealth, fundamentally shifts the dialogue. This verse sets the stage for demonstrating that salvation is not merely a checklist of deeds, but a matter of radical obedience, complete surrender, and divine grace. The Law's purpose is not to save, but to reveal sin and humanity's utter dependence on God for righteousness. The encounter powerfully illustrates that true entry into eternal life is found not through self-achieved merit, but through a transformed heart that trusts in God's provision and follows Christ unreservedly, which is only possible by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Examples of practical usage:

• Understanding legalism: Helps identify and understand the roots of legalistic thinking, where people mistakenly believe external conformity guarantees spiritual status.
• Evangelism: Provides a common starting point for conversations about grace versus works, revealing that self-effort can never secure eternal life.
• Self-examination: Encourages introspection: Are we trusting in our good deeds or in Christ's finished work for our salvation?