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!

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}!

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!"

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

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

Commentary

Mark 10:23 (KJV) presents a profound and challenging statement from Jesus following an encounter that deeply impacted His disciples. After the rich young ruler chose his possessions over following Christ, Jesus looks around and declares the significant hurdle wealth can pose to entering the Kingdom of God.

Context

This verse immediately follows the departure of a rich young ruler who asked Jesus about inheriting eternal life. Jesus challenged him to sell all his possessions and follow Him, a command the young man could not obey due to his great wealth. Jesus' statement in Mark 10:23 is His sober reflection on this event, highlighting the spiritual danger of idolatry of money and material possessions. It sets the stage for further teaching on the true cost of discipleship.

Key Themes

  • The Peril of Riches: The verse doesn't condemn wealth itself but the attachment to it that prevents one from putting God first. Riches can foster self-sufficiency, making it difficult to recognize one's need for God and surrender fully to His will. This challenges the common societal view that wealth is always a blessing.
  • Entry into the Kingdom of God: The "kingdom of God" here refers to both the present spiritual reign of God in the hearts of believers and the future eternal state. Jesus emphasizes that human effort, especially reliance on material security, is insufficient for entry.
  • Divine Perspective on Priorities: Jesus' statement serves as a stark reminder that God's values often run counter to worldly values. What society often deems a blessing (great wealth) can, paradoxically, become a spiritual impediment to true salvation and discipleship.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "hardly" is duskólos (δυσκόλως), meaning "with difficulty," "scarcely," or "with trouble." It conveys a strong sense of arduousness, implying that it is an extremely challenging feat for someone who trusts in their riches to enter God's kingdom. This difficulty is not about God's unwillingness, but about the human heart's resistance to surrender when it finds security elsewhere.

Related Scriptures

This teaching is further emphasized in the following verses, where Jesus uses the vivid metaphor of a camel passing through the eye of a needle. Matthew's Gospel records a similar account, reinforcing the point about wealth and salvation (Matthew 19:23). The disciples' astonished reaction in Mark 10:24 shows they understood the gravity of Jesus' words. Ultimately, Jesus clarifies that while it is humanly impossible, with God all things are possible (Mark 10:27).

Practical Application

For believers today, Mark 10:23 serves as a powerful caution against materialism and placing ultimate trust in financial security. It challenges us to examine our own hearts: Do we truly rely on God for all things, or do our possessions subtly become our source of confidence? The verse encourages a posture of humility and dependence on God, recognizing that true spiritual wealth comes from Him, not from earthly treasures. It calls us to consider our priorities and ensure that our love for God surpasses our love for anything else, echoing the principle found in Matthew 6:24, that one cannot serve two masters.

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Cross-References

  • 1 Corinthians 1:26 (6 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

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