Luke 18:27

And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

And {G1161} he said {G2036}, The things which are impossible {G102} with {G3844} men {G444} are {G2076} possible {G1415} with {G3844} God {G2316}.

He said, “What is impossible humanly is possible with God.”

But Jesus said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”

But he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

In Luke 18:27, Jesus delivers a profound truth that shifts the focus from human capability to divine omnipotence. This verse is a direct response to the disciples' astonishment following Jesus' interaction with the rich young ruler.

Context

Immediately prior to this statement, Jesus had challenged a wealthy man to sell all his possessions and follow Him, a command the man was unwilling to obey due to his great riches. Jesus then remarked on the difficulty for those who trust in wealth to enter the Kingdom of God, famously stating that it is "easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God" (Luke 18:25). This declaration left the disciples asking, "Who then can be saved?" (Luke 18:26). Jesus' answer in verse 27 provides comfort and clarity, emphasizing that salvation is not a human achievement but a divine work.

Key Themes

  • Divine Omnipotence: The verse powerfully asserts God's boundless power. What is utterly beyond human ability and comprehension—like a wealthy man detaching from his idols to embrace the Kingdom—is entirely within God's capacity. This highlights that God operates on a different plane of possibility than humanity.
  • Human Limitation: It underscores the inherent limitations of humanity, particularly in matters of spiritual transformation and salvation. No amount of human effort, wealth, or wisdom can achieve what only God can accomplish.
  • Salvation by God's Grace: At its core, this verse points to the truth that salvation is not earned but is a gift, a work of God's grace. It assures us that even the most seemingly impossible spiritual transformations are possible through divine intervention, not human striving. This aligns with the broader biblical teaching that salvation is by grace through faith, not of works.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses "impossible" and "possible," which are direct translations of the Greek words. "Impossible" comes from adynata (ἀδύνατα), meaning "without power" or "unable." "Possible" comes from dynata (δυνατά), meaning "powerful" or "able." The stark contrast between these terms highlights the radical difference between human weakness and God's infinite strength. When something is adynata for humans, it is dynata for God, emphasizing His unique and absolute power to accomplish His will, especially in the realm of spiritual change and salvation.

Practical Application

This verse offers immense encouragement and a vital theological foundation:

  • Hope in Difficulties: For those facing seemingly insurmountable personal struggles, spiritual challenges, or obstacles in life, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that with God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). It encourages reliance on God's strength rather than human capability.
  • Humility and Trust: It calls believers to humility, recognizing our limitations, and to place our full trust in God's power for salvation and for navigating life's complexities. It shifts our focus from what we can do to what God can do.
  • God's Sovereignty in Salvation: It reinforces the truth that salvation is ultimately God's work. It's not about how "good" we are or how much we accumulate, but about God's ability to transform hearts and bring people into His Kingdom, regardless of their past or present condition.

Ultimately, Luke 18:27 is a cornerstone verse affirming God's limitless power and grace, providing hope and a clear understanding of where true salvation originates.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 32:17

    Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, [and] there is nothing too hard for thee:

  • Matthew 19:26

    But Jesus beheld [them], and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

  • Luke 1:37

    For with God nothing shall be impossible.

  • Job 42:2

    I know that thou canst do every [thing], and [that] no thought can be withholden from thee.

  • Genesis 18:14

    Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

  • Ephesians 1:19

    And what [is] the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

  • Ephesians 1:20

    Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set [him] at his own right hand in the heavenly [places],

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