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When Critics Ask (1960)

Luke 18:18-30

(cf. Mark 10:17-31; Luke 18:18-30)— If Jesus was God, why did He seem to rebuke the rich young ruler for calling Him good?

PROBLEM: The rich young ruler called Jesus “Good Teacher,” and Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.” Yet on other occasions Jesus not only claimed to be God (Mark 2:8-10; John 8:58; John 10:30), but He accepted the claim of others that He was God (John 20:28-29). Why did Jesus appear to deny that He was God to the young ruler?

SOLUTION: Jesus did not deny He was God to the young ruler. He simply asked him to examine the implications of what he was saying. In effect, Jesus was saying to him, “Do you realize what you are saying when you call Me Good? Are you saying I am God?”

LUKE 18:18-30 — If Jesus is God, why did He rebuke the young ruler for calling Him good?

(See discussion on Matthew 19:16-30)

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See also Luke 18:18-30 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

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  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

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  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    CHAPTER 18 _ 1. The Unjust Judge and the Avenging of His Elect. (Luke 18:1)_ 2. The Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican. (Luke 18:9) 3. The Little Children and the Required Lowliness. (Luke 18...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    THE GREAT REFUSAL AND THE OBSTACLE OF RICHES (Mark 10:17 *, Matthew 19:16 *). Lk. describes the inquirer as a ruler (probably of the local synagogue), and unlike Mt. keeps Mk.'s words in Luke 18:18 f....

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    UNWEARIED IN PRAYER (Luke 18:1-8)...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    A ruler asked Jesus, "Good teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? There is none good except one God. You know the commandments--do not commit a...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    AND A, &c. As in Matthew 19:16; Mark 10:17. RULER. Supplemental. Not so described in Matthew or Mark. MASTER. Teacher. App-98. Luke 18:1. ETERNAL. See App-151. LIFE. Greek. zoe

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    18-30. The Great Refusal. The Young Ruler who loved Riches more than Christ. 18. _a certain ruler_ St Matthew (Matthew 19:20) only calls him "a young man." He was probably the young and wealthy ruler...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

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  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    THE GREAT REFUSAL. THE YOUNG RULER WHO LOVED RICHES MORE THAN CHRIST...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

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  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    CHAPS. Luke 9:51 to Luke 18:31 This section forms a great episode in St Luke, which may be called the departure for the final conflict, and is identical with the journey (probably to the Feast of the...

  • Catena Aurea Commentary

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  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

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  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

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  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

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  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

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  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

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  • The Pulpit Commentaries

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  • William Burkitt's Expository Notes

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