Luke 18:24

KJV

And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} when Jesus {G2424} saw {G1492} that he {G846} was {G1096} very sorrowful {G4036}, he said {G2036}, How {G4459} hardly {G1423} shall they {G1525} that have {G2192} riches {G5536} enter {G1525} into {G1519} the kingdom {G932} of God {G2316}!

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua looked at him and said, “How hard it is for people with wealth to enter the Kingdom of God!

Berean Standard Bible

Seeing the man’s sadness, Jesus said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!

American Standard Version

And Jesus seeing him said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jesus observes the profound sorrow of a wealthy young man who has just been challenged to relinquish his possessions and follow Him. This verse captures Jesus' immediate, empathetic reaction to the man's attachment to his wealth, leading to a pivotal declaration about the inherent difficulty for those who are rich to enter into the kingdom of God, highlighting the spiritual obstacles that material abundance can present.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated immediately after the poignant encounter between Jesus and a wealthy young ruler, as recorded in [Luke 18:18-23](/luke/18-18-23 "Luke 18:18-23 - The Rich Young Ruler's Encounter with Jesus"). The ruler, seeking to inherit eternal life, is initially confident in his adherence to the commandments. However, Jesus' radical call to sell all his possessions, give to the poor, and follow Him exposes the man's true allegiance to his wealth. His departure, described as "very sorrowful" in [Luke 18:23](/luke/18-23 "Luke 18:23 - The Rich Ruler's Sorrow"), sets the stage for Jesus' profound reflection in [Luke 18:24](/luke/18-24 "Luke 18:24 - Jesus' Commentary on Wealth"). This statement is not a condemnation of the man personally, but a universal principle derived from the specific, revealing interaction, leading directly into the disciples' astonished reactions and Jesus' further teaching on divine possibility in [Luke 18:25-27](/luke/18-25-27 "Luke 18:25-27 - The Camel and the Eye of a Needle").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Jewish society, wealth was often perceived as a sign of God's blessing and favor, a common belief rooted in Old Testament promises of prosperity for obedience (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28:1-14](/deuteronomy/28-1-14 "Deuteronomy 28:1-14 - Blessings for Obedience")). Therefore, the idea that wealth could be a hindrance to spiritual entry into the kingdom of God would have been profoundly counter-cultural and shocking to Jesus' audience. Rulers and influential figures were expected to be righteous and blessed by God. Jesus' challenge to the rich young ruler, and His subsequent commentary, directly confronts this prevailing theological assumption, emphasizing that true spiritual blessing and entry into God's reign are not contingent upon, or even aided by, material possessions, but rather demand a radical detachment from them and complete reliance on God.
* **Key Themes:** [Luke 18:24](/luke/18-24 "Luke 18:24 - Jesus' Teaching on Riches") contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. It powerfully underscores the **peril of riches**, demonstrating how material wealth can become an idol, hindering genuine spiritual commitment and supplanting God as the ultimate source of security and devotion. This passage also highlights the **radical nature of discipleship**, emphasizing that following Jesus may require profound sacrifice and a willingness to surrender everything that competes for one's ultimate allegiance, echoing the call to "take up his cross daily" found in [Luke 9:23](/luke/9-23 "Luke 9:23 - The Cost of Discipleship"). Furthermore, it illuminates the theme of **entry into the kingdom of God**, portraying it not as a reward for human merit or adherence to external laws, but as a divine gift requiring a heart fully yielded to God, free from the entanglements of worldly attachments. The ruler's sorrow in [Luke 18:23](/luke/18-23 "Luke 18:23 - The Rich Ruler's Sorrow") also emphasizes the **human struggle with idolatry**, revealing how deeply material possessions can grip the heart and make the path to true spiritual freedom seem impossible.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **saw (Greek, _eídō'_):** This primary verb signifies not merely a superficial glance but a profound act of perception, often implying understanding or knowing. When Jesus "saw" the rich young ruler's sorrow, it indicates a deep, empathetic discernment of the man's inner struggle and the true nature of his attachment to wealth. It suggests Jesus perceived the spiritual barrier that had just been revealed.
* **very sorrowful (Greek, _perílypos'_):** Derived from a combination meaning "around" and "grief/pain," this adjective describes an intense, overwhelming sadness or profound grief that envelops a person. The ruler's sorrow was not a fleeting disappointment but a deep emotional distress, indicating the immense hold his riches had on his heart and the painful realization that he could not bring himself to relinquish them for the sake of eternal life.
* **hardly (Greek, _dyskólōs'_):** This adverb, meaning "impracticably," "with difficulty," or "scarcely," emphasizes the extreme challenge involved. It does not imply absolute impossibility, but rather highlights the immense obstacle that wealth, when clung to, presents to spiritual entry into God's reign. It underscores the severity of the spiritual impediment, suggesting that human effort alone is insufficient to overcome it.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful":** This opening clause establishes Jesus' compassionate and discerning observation. His gaze penetrates beyond the man's outward appearance of righteousness to the deep emotional conflict within him, recognizing the profound grip of his material possessions. The "very sorrowful" state of the rich young ruler underscores the high cost of discipleship and the painful reality of his inability to prioritize God over his wealth.
* **"he said":** This simple phrase introduces Jesus' subsequent profound statement, indicating that His words are a direct, immediate response to the spiritual revelation of the rich young ruler's heart. It is not an abstract teaching but a pointed commentary on the specific situation.
* **"How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!":** This is the core declaration of the verse. The exclamation "How hardly!" (using the Greek _dyskólōs_) emphasizes the extreme difficulty, almost impracticability, for those who possess wealth to enter God's kingdom. The phrase "have riches" refers not merely to possessing wealth, but to the attachment to it, the trust placed in it, or the security derived from it, which can become an idol that obstructs full devotion to God. "Entering into the kingdom of God" signifies participation in God's sovereign rule, experiencing salvation, and living under His divine authority, which requires a heart fully committed to Him.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Irony** is present in the contrast between the rich young ruler's initial confidence in his ability to inherit eternal life and his ultimate inability to surrender his wealth, revealing that what he thought was his strength (his piety and possessions) was actually his greatest weakness. **Hyperbole** is implied in Jesus' subsequent teaching (though not directly in this verse, it sets the stage for it) about a camel passing through the eye of a needle ([Luke 18:25](/luke/18-25 "Luke 18:25 - The Camel and the Needle's Eye")), which vividly illustrates the extreme difficulty for the rich. The phrase "How hardly" itself functions as an **exclamation**, conveying Jesus' astonishment and the profound spiritual truth He is imparting, emphasizing the severity of the obstacle. Finally, the narrative employs **pathos** by highlighting the ruler's "very sorrowful" state, inviting the reader to empathize with the human struggle against the allure of material security and the painful choice between worldly comfort and divine call.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly articulates a core biblical truth: the inherent spiritual danger of wealth. It is not wealth itself that is inherently evil, but the human heart's tendency to trust in it, to find security in it, or to allow it to become an idol that supplants God. Jesus' statement reveals that attachment to material possessions can create a formidable barrier to full surrender and entry into God's kingdom, demanding a radical reorientation of priorities. This speaks to the universal human struggle with idolatry, where anything that takes God's rightful place in our hearts becomes an impediment to true spiritual flourishing and salvation.

* [Matthew 6:24](/matthew/6-24 "Matthew 6:24 - No One Can Serve Two Masters"): "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
* [1 Timothy 6:9-10](/1_timothy/6-9-10 "1 Timothy 6:9-10 - The Love of Money is a Root of All Evil"): "But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
* [Proverbs 11:28](/proverbs/11-28 "Proverbs 11:28 - Trust in Riches"): "He that trusts in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Luke 18:24](/luke/18-24 "Luke 18:24 - A Call to Self-Examination") serves as a timeless and piercing warning, challenging believers across all economic strata to critically examine the true objects of their trust and affection. It compels us to confront the subtle, yet powerful, ways that material possessions, financial security, or even the pursuit of wealth can subtly displace God from the throne of our hearts. This verse is not a condemnation of wealth itself, but a profound indictment of the spiritual attachment to it, which can make the radical surrender required for true discipleship seem impossible. It calls us to consider whether we are truly willing to prioritize the kingdom of God above all else, even if it means relinquishing what we hold most dear in the material realm. The sorrow of the rich young ruler reminds us that the cost of following Jesus can be deeply personal and emotionally challenging, but the eternal reward far outweighs any earthly sacrifice.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "riches" in my life that I find most difficult to surrender to God, whether they be material possessions, financial security, or even personal ambitions?**
* **In what ways might my pursuit or possession of wealth subtly hinder my full devotion to Christ and my entry into the deeper realities of His kingdom?**
* **How does this verse challenge my understanding of true security and provision, and where do I need to re-align my trust from worldly comforts to God alone?**

### FAQ
**Does Jesus mean that rich people cannot go to heaven?**

Answer: No, Jesus does not mean that rich people are absolutely barred from heaven. The phrase "How hardly" (Greek: _dyskólōs_) indicates extreme difficulty or impracticality, not an absolute impossibility. Jesus' subsequent words in [Luke 18:27](/luke/18-27 "Luke 18:27 - With God All Things Are Possible") clarify this: "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God." This means that while human attachment to wealth makes entry into God's kingdom incredibly difficult by human effort alone, God's grace and transformative power can enable even the rich to surrender their hearts fully to Him. The issue is not the possession of wealth, but the love of it and the trust placed in it, which can become an idol.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[Luke 18:24](/luke/18-24 "Luke 18:24 - The Kingdom's True Entrance") finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodied the radical detachment from worldly possessions and the complete surrender to God that the rich young ruler failed to achieve. Jesus, "though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich" ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Poverty for Our Riches")). He did not cling to His divine prerogatives or earthly comforts, but "made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humility")). The "kingdom of God" that the rich young ruler struggled to enter is precisely what Jesus inaugurated through His life, death, and resurrection. Entry into this kingdom is not earned by giving up possessions, but by faith in Christ, who perfectly fulfilled the law and offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for sin ([Romans 3:23-24](/romans/3-23-24 "Romans 3:23-24 - Justification by Grace")). Through Him, the "impossible with men" becomes "possible with God" ([Luke 18:27](/luke/18-27 "Luke 18:27 - God's Power to Save")), as His Spirit empowers believers to overcome the love of money and find their true treasure in Him, who is "the way, the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

James 2:5

Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

James 2:7

Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?

Proverbs 30:9

Lest I be full, and deny [thee], and say, Who [is] the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God [in vain].

Proverbs 11:28

¶ He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.

Mark 10:23

And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

Mark 10:27

And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men [it is] impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

Matthew 19:23

¶ Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.