As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone.”

--Parallel verses:
‭‭Romans‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬-‭18‬ ‭AMP‬‬
Well then, are we [Jews] better off than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks (Gentiles) are under the control of sin and subject to its power. As it is written and forever remains written, “There is none righteous [none that meets God’s standard], not even one. [Ps 14:3] “There is none who understands, There is none who seeks for God. [Ps 14:2] “All have turned aside, together they have become useless; There is none who does good, no, not one.” [Ps 53:1-3] “Their throat is an open grave; They [habitually] deceive with their tongues.” “The venom of asps is beneath their lips.” [Ps 5:9; 140:3] “Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.” [Ps 10:7] “Their feet are swift to shed blood, Destruction and misery are in their paths, And they have not known the path of peace.” [Is 59:7, 8] “There is no fear of God [and His awesome power] before their eyes.” [Ps 36:1]

Jesus makes a point here to distinguish between fallen man and a holy and righteous and good God. Why did this man call Jesus good? Was he trying to gain favor with him by complimenting him? What did he compare with to establish what good is?

Sometimes just listening to how people address you can give you an insight into what their intent is. This man was wanting Jesus to answer a question after these verses about how he could qualify to enter heaven. He wanted to be counted as good enough, or righteous.

The Pharisees compared their righteousness to others and this young ruler also apparently thought this was a good way to show his superiority to those around him. So Jesus calls out the fact that he called him good.

Jesus, it seems, was pointing out to the man that only God is good. Was he acknowledging Jesus was God?

Paul the Apostle, in Romans, touches on this topic as well. Those in Rome often felt superior to those outside of Rome, as Rome was the seat of the capital of the Roman Empire. As well, Christian Jews sometimes thought that by following Jesus and the Jewish law, that they were superior to the Gentiles. Paul corrects these worldly comparison games here, stating that all are sinners. He then, as proof of this position, goes on to quote a myriad of verses from the Old Testament in Psalms and Isaiah, that touch on the fact that we are all sinners.

This man was seeking validation (for his mostly sinless life) from Jesus. But “mostly sinless lives” are not enough to be holy and gain admittance into heaven. Sin corrupts our hearts and separates us from a God who desires perfection.

Could it be that instead of trying to compare himself to others and ask Jesus for validation, Jesus was simply looking for him to humbly admit he needed help? He needs a Savior named Jesus. He could not qualify on his own.

Lord, I am a sinner. I need your help and your saving grace. Come and purify my heart and teach me to live and serve more and more like you.