“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone."

[Helm]

"But Jesus you are God aren't you?"

"Wha? Oh yeah, the virgin birth, the Holy Trinity, God incarnate and all that and all that business that's right. *coughs* "You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother."

Is there good explanation for Jesus forgetting that he was God in Mark 10:18? Or was he just having an off day? And was he really suggesting that he wasn't good?

[Tankbuster]

Oh entire books have been written trying to explain that one (and many others like it) away

[boofhead]

In that verse he is not denying that he is good.

You'll notice it is a leading question.

[Helm]

It seems more like a rebuke than a question to me. Its really more in his character to tell people to stop being daft than ask leading questions.

17 After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about this parable. 18 “Are you so dull?” he asked.

Another translation could be "Are you completely stupid?" That's not a leading question its a rebuke.

[boofhead]

Although that's not the usual interpretation.

In the words of the bibliologist/theologian Gill regarding this verse and also a similar verse in Matthew 19

Why callest thou me good? This is said, not as denying that he was good, or as being angry with him for calling him so, but in order to lead this young man to a true knowledge of him, and his goodness, and even of his proper deity.

I suppose one could think whatever he likes or interpret it however he likes, but this is the normal, accepted Christian interpretation.

[Ancient Aliens]

Although that's not the usual interpretation.

In the words of the bibliologist/theologian Gill regarding this verse and also a similar verse in Matthew 19

I suppose one could think whatever he likes or interpret it however he likes, but this is the normal, accepted Christian interpretation.

Yet another theological dodge.

@ the OP: I've learned to point out the paradoxical nature of the biblical narrative rather than individual inconsistancies in the bible, as these examples are far harder to rationalize (and usually devolve into appeals to faith and other such logical dead ends, which please me ).

[Hilarion]

You should include the question.

The man addresses Jesus as "good teacher" (or "rabbi" in some versions). Of course, Jesus is more than a teacher. As boofhead said, it's a leading question: the Gospels are full of them. Jesus guides people towards the truth, instead of shouting outright "I am GOD and you must obey me!" For parallels look especially at Jesus' dialogues with Pilate and with the Pharisees.

You can call it a rebuke, but it is simply not interpreted that way by Christianity, and in proper context the Christian interpretation makes sense.

[Helm]

You should include the question.

The man addresses Jesus as "good teacher" (or "rabbi" in some versions). Of course, Jesus is more than a teacher. As boofhead said, it's a leading question: the Gospels are full of them. Jesus guides people towards the truth, instead of shouting outright "I am GOD and you must obey me!" For parallels look especially at Jesus' dialogues with Pilate and with the Pharisees.

He didn't say "Why do you call me a teacher?" he said "Why do you call me good when only God is good?" the kind of thing someone who isn't God would point out. I don't think Jesus said everything attributed to him in the New Testament but there is a little a bit of the real man in there in parts.

[Hilarion]

He didn't say "Why do you call me a teacher?" he said "Why do you call me good when only God is good?" the kind of thing someone who isn't God would point out. I don't think Jesus said everything attributed to him in the New Testament but there is a little a bit of the real man in there in parts.

If Jesus had said, "I'm not good, only God is good" your theory would make a lot more sense. But no, as in many of Jesus' dialogues, he neither affirms nor denies but tries to lead others to realize for themselves who He really is. He speaks through parables and mysteries, sometimes difficult to comprehend or purposefully ambiguous.

[Helm]

If Jesus had said, "I'm not good, only God is good" your theory would make a lot more sense. But no, as in many of Jesus' dialogues, he neither affirms nor denies but tries to lead others to realize for themselves who He really is. He speaks through parables and mysteries, sometimes difficult to comprehend or purposefully ambiguous.

But this wasn't a mystical parable he seems to be saying "I'm just a man like you". And then he says "You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother." Nothing mystical there he was being to the point.

[Hilarion]

But this wasn't a mystical parable he seems to be saying "I'm just a man like you".

Yes, Jesus is fully human, and does effectively say or prove "I'm just a man like you" in many places through the Gospels. Again though, your interpretation is heavily flawed and biased and ignores the basic themes even of Mark. If you really believe Jesus is denying any connection to God here, how do you account for the theophany near the end of Mark? In the same book do you also take Jesus' answer to Pilate's question at face value, since He was so keen on being blatant?

[Caboose]

It is very easy to explain. Imagine GOD and JESUS as the conjoined twins Hailie and Suzy. They may use the same body but they are not the same person. If you can understand that you unterstand the passage.

[SlartyBartfast]

And if you believe that Jesus actually said that, and that it is important, and that his words really are the words of a god, and that he actually is an invisible superman bound to rescue the believers anytime soon -- then you need a good sharp kick in the balls. Though I doubt even that will cure you of your fantasizing.

[Dominicvs]

"But Jesus you are God aren't you?"

"Wha? Oh yeah, the virgin birth, the Holy Trinity, God incarnate and all that and all that business that's right. *coughs* "You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother."

Is there good explanation for Jesus forgetting that he was God in Mark 10:18? Or was he just having an off day? And was he really suggesting that he wasn't good?

Jesus is not God and is not a God. He is the Son of God. I thought that's what 200 or so pages of the gospel made very clear. At no point does Jesus refer to himself as God or a God.

[total relism]

Question:

How can Jesus be God when he denies being absolutely good, and says that only God is good (cf. Mark 10:18)?

http://www.answering-islam.org/Shamo...y_god_good.htm

[Mortality]

A example of contradiction in the Bible. It might be because of the Catholic Church (Bible was heavily edited to suit their needs) or possibly even a writer's mistake (I mean, they are all human.)

[Watchman]

...or because the whole "nature of Christ" question has been a major bone of contention since very early on, and just about the prime cause of sectarian strife in Late Antiquity.

[Helm]

At least it shows that it wasn't a complete work of fiction if there are contradictions in there, that's a badge of authenticity.

[Watchman]

Considering a good batch of these folks turn up in contemporary Roman records, I doubt *that* was ever an issue. Doesn't make the theology any less convoluted tho'.

[Helm]

You can put entirely mythical characters in real historical settings, Robin Hood for instance. But Jesus could have still been a real prophet and there possibly could have still been some kind of resurrection as well its not entirely out of the question. Though my main doubt would be that there are similar stories like it in myth, perhaps they were metaphorical for the soul surviving death.

I'm making a web page which is a collection of all interesting teachings of Jesus atm, both from the Bible and the Gnostic scriptures as well. They're not really all that different when you look actually.