Mark 10:23

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} Jesus {G2424} looked round about {G4017}, and saith {G3004} unto his {G846} disciples {G3101}, How {G4459} hardly {G1423} shall they that have {G2192} riches {G5536} enter {G1525} into {G1519} the kingdom {G932} of God {G2316}!

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua looked around and said to his talmidim, "How hard it is going to be for people with wealth to enter the Kingdom of God!"

Berean Standard Bible

Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Following the departure of the rich young ruler who could not forsake his wealth to follow Christ, Jesus turns to His disciples and delivers a profound and challenging statement: it is exceedingly difficult for those who possess riches to enter into the kingdom of God. This declaration upends conventional wisdom, which often equated material prosperity with divine favor, and sets the stage for a deeper exploration of true discipleship and God's sovereign power in salvation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is immediately preceded by the poignant encounter between Jesus and a rich young man who sought to inherit eternal life ([Mark 10:17-22](/mark/10-17-22 "Mark 10:17-22 - The Rich Young Ruler")). Jesus challenged the man to sell all his possessions, give to the poor, and follow Him. The man, deeply saddened by this command, departed because he had great wealth. Jesus' statement in [Mark 10:23](/mark/10-23 "Mark 10:23 - The Difficulty of Riches") is a direct, somber reflection on this event, not just a casual observation. It serves as a pivotal moment, shifting the focus from the individual's failure to a universal principle regarding the spiritual dangers of wealth. The disciples' astonished reaction in [Mark 10:24](/mark/10-24 "Mark 10:24 - Disciples' Amazement") and Jesus' subsequent, even stronger, illustration of a [camel passing through the eye of a needle](/mark/10-25 "Mark 10:25 - The Camel and the Needle's Eye") further underscore the gravity and counter-cultural nature of His teaching.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Jewish society, wealth was often perceived as a sign of God's blessing and favor, a reward for righteousness and obedience to the Law. Poverty, conversely, could be seen as a sign of divine disfavor or even sin. This prevailing worldview made Jesus' statement in [Mark 10:23](/mark/10-23 "Mark 10:23 - The Challenge of Wealth") particularly shocking to His disciples. They, like many of their contemporaries, would have assumed that the wealthy, being blessed by God, would find it *easier* to enter the kingdom, not harder. This cultural backdrop highlights the radical nature of Jesus' teaching, which consistently subverted human expectations and called for a re-evaluation of what truly constitutes blessing and spiritual prosperity. The concept of "the kingdom of God" was deeply ingrained in Jewish eschatological hopes, referring to God's sovereign rule, both present and future, culminating in a new age of righteousness and peace.
* **Key Themes:** The primary theme emerging from [Mark 10:23](/mark/10-23 "Mark 10:23 - Riches and the Kingdom") is **the spiritual peril of riches**. Jesus is not condemning wealth itself, but the inherent tendency for wealth to become an idol, fostering self-sufficiency and a false sense of security that hinders absolute dependence on God. This challenges the common assumption that material prosperity is inherently good or a direct indicator of spiritual standing. Another key theme is **the nature of entry into the Kingdom of God**. Jesus emphasizes that entry is not based on human merit, status, or material possessions, but requires a radical reorientation of priorities and a complete surrender to God. This sets the stage for the later clarification that what is impossible with man is [possible with God](/mark/10-27 "Mark 10:27 - All Things Are Possible with God"), highlighting divine grace as the sole means of entry. The verse also underscores **God's counter-cultural values**, where worldly advantages can become spiritual disadvantages, demanding a radical re-evaluation of what truly matters for eternal life.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **hardly (Greek, _dyskólōs'_):** This adverb, derived from _dyskólos_ (difficult), conveys a strong sense of extreme difficulty, arduousness, or near impossibility. It emphasizes that entering the kingdom of God for those who possess riches is not merely challenging but a profoundly arduous task, implying a significant obstacle that is rarely overcome by human effort alone.
* **have (Greek, _échō'_):** While a common verb meaning "to hold" or "to possess," in this context, _échō_ refers specifically to the state of possessing great wealth. The emphasis is not merely on having money, but on the *reliance* upon or *attachment* to these riches, which can become a competing loyalty to God. It speaks to the heart's disposition towards material possessions.
* **enter (Greek, _eisérchomai'_):** This verb means "to come in" or "to go into," indicating the act of gaining admission or participation. In the context of the "kingdom of God," it signifies becoming a part of God's reign, experiencing its blessings, and living under His sovereign rule, both in the present spiritual reality and the future eschatological fulfillment. The difficulty lies in the *act of entering* for those whose hearts are bound by wealth.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jesus looked round about,"**: This phrase indicates a deliberate, observant gaze. Jesus' action is not casual; it's a moment of profound reflection and intentionality. He surveys the scene, perhaps taking in the departing rich young ruler, the reactions of His disciples, and the broader implications of the recent encounter before making His weighty declaration. This visual cue adds solemnity and emphasis to the words that follow.
* **"and saith unto his disciples,"**: Jesus addresses His inner circle directly, indicating that this teaching is specifically for those who are committed to following Him. It's a foundational truth for their understanding of discipleship and the nature of God's kingdom, meant to challenge their preconceptions and deepen their spiritual insight. The statement is not a private aside but a public teaching intended for their instruction.
* **"How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!"**: This is the core declaration, expressed with an exclamation of deep concern. The "How hardly" (_pōs dyskólōs_) emphasizes the extreme difficulty. Jesus asserts that the possession of riches, when clung to, presents a formidable barrier to entering God's sovereign rule. This is because wealth often fosters a spirit of self-reliance, creates competing loyalties, and distracts from the absolute surrender and dependence on God that the kingdom demands. It is a stark warning against the spiritual idolatry of materialism.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 10:23 employs several potent literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as what was traditionally seen as a sign of divine blessing (wealth) is here presented as a significant spiritual impediment. This subverts the disciples' expectations and challenges the prevailing cultural wisdom. The phrase "How hardly" functions as a form of **exclamation** or **rhetorical question**, emphasizing the extraordinary difficulty and drawing the listener's attention to the profound nature of the statement. While not a direct **hyperbole** itself, it sets the immediate stage for the extreme hyperbole of the camel and the needle's eye in [Mark 10:25](/mark/10-25 "Mark 10:25 - The Camel and the Needle's Eye"), indicating that Jesus is speaking of a near-impossibility from a human perspective. The verse also uses **contrast**, implicitly pitting the values of the world (material security, status) against the values of the Kingdom of God (humility, dependence, radical discipleship), thereby highlighting the fundamental tension between them.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 10:23 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of salvation and the spiritual dangers of idolatry. It underscores that entry into God's kingdom is not based on human merit, status, or material possessions, but requires a radical reorientation of the heart towards God alone. The difficulty for the rich lies not in wealth itself, but in the heart's tendency to trust in riches rather than in God, fostering self-sufficiency and creating a competing loyalty that prevents full surrender. This teaching aligns with the broader biblical emphasis that God often works through the humble and the dependent, and that the "first shall be last, and the last first" in His kingdom. It challenges believers across all economic statuses to examine their hearts for any idols that might hinder their complete devotion to Christ.

* [Mark 10:25](/mark/10-25 "Mark 10:25 - The Camel and the Needle's Eye")
* [Matthew 6:24](/matthew/6-24 "Matthew 6:24 - Serving Two Masters")
* [1 Timothy 6:9-10](/1_timothy/6-9-10 "1 Timothy 6:9-10 - The Love of Money")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 10:23 presents a timeless challenge to all who seek to follow Christ, regardless of their financial standing. It compels us to honestly examine our own hearts and ask where our ultimate security and trust lie. Do we subtly depend on our savings, our investments, or our material comforts more than we depend on God? This verse is not a condemnation of wealth per se, but a sober warning against the idolatry of it, and against the self-sufficiency it can breed. True entry into the kingdom of God requires a recognition of our spiritual poverty and an absolute reliance on God's grace. For those with resources, it calls for radical stewardship, generosity, and a detachment from possessions, viewing them as tools for God's kingdom rather than ends in themselves. For all, it is a call to prioritize God's kingdom above all earthly pursuits, understanding that true riches are found in Christ alone.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What possessions or securities in my life do I tend to trust in more than God?**
* **How does my attitude towards money and material possessions align with, or diverge from, Jesus' teaching in this verse?**
* **In what ways can I cultivate a greater sense of dependence on God and detachment from worldly wealth?**
* **How might I use any resources I have to advance God's kingdom, rather than accumulating them for myself?**

### FAQ
**Does Jesus mean that rich people cannot be saved?**

Answer: No, Jesus does not mean that it is absolutely impossible for rich people to be saved, but that it is exceedingly difficult from a human perspective. The difficulty lies in the human heart's tendency to trust in riches rather than in God. The following verses clarify this, as the disciples are astonished, and Jesus explains that "With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible" ([Mark 10:27](/mark/10-27 "Mark 10:27 - God Makes All Things Possible")). This means salvation, for the rich and poor alike, is a work of divine grace, not human effort or merit. The challenge for the wealthy is to overcome the inherent temptation to rely on their possessions instead of surrendering fully to God.

**What exactly does "the kingdom of God" refer to in this verse?**

Answer: In this context, "the kingdom of God" refers to God's sovereign rule and reign, both in its present spiritual reality and its future eschatological fulfillment. To "enter into" it means to become a participant in God's saving work, to submit to His Lordship, and to experience the blessings of His reign. It encompasses salvation, discipleship, and eternal life. Jesus emphasizes that this entry is not granted based on worldly status or possessions, but requires a radical transformation of heart and a humble dependence on God, which is often hindered by the idol of wealth.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 10:23 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment not in a condemnation of the rich, but in the revelation of God's impossible grace made possible through Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself, though "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 and Our Riches")). He is the ultimate example of one who "emptied himself" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Self-Emptying")), demonstrating that true spiritual wealth is found not in accumulation, but in radical self-giving and dependence on the Father. The "hardly" of the rich entering the kingdom highlights the human inability to achieve salvation by any means, including wealth or good works. It points to the necessity of a divine intervention, which is precisely what Christ provides. Through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection, He opens the way for all—rich and poor—to enter the kingdom, not by human striving or possession, but by grace through faith ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith")). The impossible becomes possible because of God's power in Christ, enabling those who were once bound by earthly treasures to find their true and eternal treasure in Him ([Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19-21 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Lay Up Treasures in Heaven")).

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

1 Corinthians 1:26

For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called]:

Luke 18:24

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

Mark 3:5

And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched [it] out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

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 4:4

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

Matthew 18:3

And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

2 Peter 1:11

For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.