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.

Then {G1161} said {G2036} Jesus {G2424} unto his {G846} disciples {G3101}, Verily {G281} I say {G3004} unto you {G5213}, That {G3754} a rich man {G4145} shall hardly {G1423} enter {G1525} into {G1519} the kingdom {G932} of heaven {G3772}.

Then Yeshua said to his talmidim, "Yes. I tell you that it will be very hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.

And Jesus said unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, It is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Commentary

In Matthew 19:23, Jesus delivers a profound and challenging statement to His disciples, immediately following His encounter with the rich young ruler. This verse serves as a crucial commentary on the spiritual dangers of material wealth and its potential to hinder one's pursuit of God's kingdom.

Context

This verse directly follows the story of the rich young ruler (Matthew 19:16-22), who approached Jesus asking what good thing he must do to inherit eternal life. When Jesus instructed him to sell all his possessions and give to the poor, the young man went away sorrowful because he had great wealth. Jesus’ statement in verse 23 is His immediate reflection on this encounter, revealing the spiritual obstacle that wealth can often become.

Key Themes

  • The Difficulty of Wealth: Jesus states that a rich man shall "hardly" enter the kingdom of heaven. This does not imply impossibility but extreme difficulty. The challenge for the wealthy lies in their tendency to trust in their riches for security and identity, rather than in God. This can lead to an attachment to worldly possessions that displaces God as their ultimate priority.
  • Kingdom of Heaven: This phrase, frequently used in Matthew's Gospel, refers to God's sovereign rule and the spiritual realm where His will is perfectly done. Entering the "kingdom of heaven" signifies salvation, spiritual transformation, and participation in God's eternal life.
  • Priorities and Idolatry: The verse highlights the spiritual conflict between serving God and serving wealth. Jesus elsewhere teaches that "Ye cannot serve God and mammon" (Matthew 6:24), emphasizing that one's ultimate allegiance must be undivided.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "hardly" is dyskolos (δυσκόλως), meaning "with difficulty" or "hardly." It emphasizes the immense challenge, not an absolute prohibition. The implication is that it is not wealth itself that condemns, but the spiritual attachment to it and the reliance on it for security, which can become a form of idolatry that obstructs true faith and surrender to God.

Deeper Meaning and Cross-References

Jesus clarifies this challenging statement further in the very next verse, Matthew 19:24, using the vivid imagery of a camel passing through the eye of a needle. This hyperbole underscores the human impossibility of self-salvation, especially when burdened by material attachments. However, Jesus immediately provides hope in Matthew 19:26, stating, "With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." This reveals that salvation, for both rich and poor, is a work of God's grace, not human effort or financial status.

The core issue is not possession but devotion. The apostle Paul warns against the "love of money" as the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10), not money itself. It is the heart's posture towards wealth that determines its spiritual impact.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a timeless warning against the deceptive allure of materialism. It challenges all believers, regardless of their financial status, to examine their hearts and ensure that their trust and devotion are solely in God. For those with wealth, it calls for humility, generosity, and an understanding that their possessions are ultimately God-given resources to be stewarded for His kingdom. For all, it reinforces the truth that true spiritual riches are found not in earthly possessions but in a complete surrender to Christ and a focus on storing up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21).

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Cross-References

  • 1 Timothy 6:9 (13 votes)

    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.

  • 1 Timothy 6:10 (13 votes)

    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.

  • Matthew 13:22 (7 votes)

    He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

  • Mark 10:23 (6 votes)

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

  • James 5:1 (5 votes)

    ¶ Go to now, [ye] rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon [you].

  • James 5:4 (5 votes)

    Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.

  • Luke 18:24 (5 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!