
Tuesday Contradictions: Matthew 19:16-17 (2) – Is Jesus Really Good? Unpacking Matthew 19’s Tough Question
From The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast by bibledifficultiesandanswers
April 28, 2026 · 13 min · Episode 240
About this episode
Lance Smith examines the implications of Jesus' question in Matthew 19:16-17 regarding his goodness and divinity.
Host Lance Smith examines Matthew 19:16–17 and parallel Gospel passages to explain why Jesus’ question, “Why callest thou me good?”, does not deny his goodness or divinity. The episode clarifies translation differences, context with the rich young man, Jesus’ teaching method, and how the passage exposes misplaced confidence while strengthening trust in Scripture. References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following: buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com Skeptics Annotated Bible: https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/jesus-good.html GotQuestions.org articles: https://www.gotquestions.org/good-God-alone.html , https://www.gotquestions.org/why-do-you-call-me-good.html , https://www.gotquestions.org/rich-young-ruler.html Catholic Answers: “Why Different Translations for Matthew 19:16-17?” https://www.catholic.com/qa/why-different-translations-for-matthew-1916-17 Douglas Groothuis, “Jesus: Philosopher and Apologist,” Christian Research Journal (2002/updated 2009)…
People in this episode
Host: Lance Smith
Topics covered
- Jesus' goodness
- Matthew 19:16-17
- rich young man
- translation differences
- teaching methods
- confidence in Scripture
Keywords
- Matthew 19
- Jesus
- goodness
- rich young ruler
- translation
- Scripture
- confidence
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: GotQuestions.org, Catholic Answers
Books & works: Skeptics Annotated Bible
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