@paulprevou915

2 months ago

Lk 18:18-19 - “An official asked him this question, ‘good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus answered him, ‘why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone’” (NAB). The word Jesus uses for “God” in greek is “theos,” which translates unambiguously to mean “God.” The word “Lord” (kyrios in greek, Adonai in Hebrew) is not used. In this instance, Jesus refers to God.

As for the belief that Jesus did not worship or consider himself the son of the Hebrew god Yahweh because Jesus omits the first commandment, Jesus’ reply here is intentionally ironic: “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments, ‘you shall not commit adultery…’” (Lk 18:19-20). He says “you know the commandments,” and then proceeds to omit the first and greatest one. Because Jesus refers elsewhere to the first commandment, it is clear that he knew it. The omission was intended to draw the official’s attention to the fact that he’d just called Jesus “good” (which only God can be) as well as “teacher.” He’s asking the official, as well as the reader “do you think I’m God, or just another rabbi?”

Even though I disagree with the conclusion drawn in this video, you wouldn’t have drawn it if you weren’t reading closely, and I think that’s great.

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