Stressing the only One who is good shows the man that he needs to understand what it is that he wants. Asking what the good was, he had called Jesus teacher
—nothing more. To know the absolutely good, the man must see that there is only One who is absolutely good. Seeking what is good in his own deeds, he detaches it from God, the only Good One, whose glory he should seek and before whose eyes only what is absolutely good can exist. The young man should see that Jesus is referring to God.
By pointing out that there is only One who is good, Jesus shows the man that he first needs to learn to understand what it is that he desires. He had asked what the good was and had addressed Jesus as teacher
—nothing more. To know the good, the absolutely good, the man must take into account that there is only One who is good, and he is absolutely good. The man seeks that which is good on earth, in his own deeds. He detaches it from God, the only Good One—whose glory he ought to pursue and before whose eyes only that which is absolutely good can exist. The young man ought to understand that Jesus is referring to God. In this way Jesus brings him to a completely different level.1
17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.”