Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 19:17-20

"And he said unto him, Why askest thou me concerning that which is good? One there is who is good: but if thou wouldest enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? And Jesus said, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honor thy father and mother; and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I observed: what lack I yet?" — Matthew 19:17-20 (ASV)

And he said to him, Why do you call me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments. He says to him, Which? Jesus said, You shall do no murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honour your father and your mother: and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The young man says to him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what do I still lack?

Externally, in the letter, very likely this young man had kept these commandments, and so far he was to be commended; yet internally, in their spirit, he had not kept one of them. Our Saviour did not tell him that he had failed, but he took him on his own ground. "You say that you love your neighbor as yourself; I will give you a test to prove whether you do."