Matthew 19:25

When his disciples heard [it], they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

When {G1161} his {G846} disciples {G3101} heard {G191} it, they were exceedingly {G4970} amazed {G1605}, saying {G3004}, Who {G5101} then {G686} can {G1410} be saved {G4982}?

When the talmidim heard this they were utterly amazed. "Then who," they asked, "can be saved?"

When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”

And when the disciples heard it, they were astonished exceedingly, saying, Who then can be saved?

Matthew 19:25 captures the disciples' profound astonishment at Jesus' teaching regarding the difficulty for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Their question, "Who then can be saved?", reveals their deep concern and the radical nature of Jesus' statement, which challenged common assumptions of their time.

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus' conversation with the rich young ruler, who departed sorrowful because he was unwilling to give up his great possessions to follow Christ. Jesus then declared, "Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven," elaborating with the vivid analogy of a camel passing through the eye of a needle (Matthew 19:24). The disciples, like many in that era, likely viewed wealth as a sign of God's blessing and favor, believing it would make salvation easier, not harder. Therefore, this teaching completely upended their understanding, leading to their utter amazement and desperate inquiry about who could possibly be saved if even the 'blessed' rich faced such an obstacle.

Key Themes

  • Human Impossibility: The disciples' question highlights the human inability to achieve salvation through one's own efforts, status, or possessions. If wealth, often seen as a divine reward, was a hindrance, then what hope was there for anyone?
  • Divine Possibility: This verse sets the stage for Jesus' crucial answer in the very next verse, emphasizing that "With God all things are possible". Salvation is ultimately a work of God's grace, not human merit.
  • Challenging Worldly Values: Jesus consistently challenged the prevailing values of the world, especially the idolatry of wealth. This statement serves as a powerful reminder that material possessions can become a significant barrier to spiritual life.
  • The Nature of True Salvation: The disciples' question forces a re-evaluation of what salvation truly entails. It's not about outward status or adherence to rules alone, but a radical transformation and surrender to God.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "exceedingly amazed" translates the Greek word ekplēssō (ἐκπλήσσω), which means to be struck out of one's senses, to be utterly astonished, or overwhelmed with wonder. It signifies a profound shock and bewilderment, indicating that Jesus' words had a truly jarring effect on the disciples, challenging their fundamental assumptions about God, wealth, and salvation.

Practical Application

Matthew 19:25 encourages us to examine our own understanding of salvation. It reminds us that no amount of wealth, status, good deeds, or human effort can earn us a place in God's kingdom. Our salvation is entirely dependent on God's grace and power. This verse calls us to:

  • Humble Ourselves: Acknowledge our inability to save ourselves and depend solely on God.
  • Re-evaluate Priorities: Consider what we place our trust in – is it our resources, our achievements, or is it God alone?
  • Embrace Grace: Understand that salvation is a gift, freely given to those who believe and surrender to Christ, not something earned. This aligns with the broader New Testament teaching on salvation by grace through faith.

Reflection

The disciples' bewildered question echoes through the ages, prompting us to confront the same truth: apart from God, salvation is indeed impossible for anyone. This verse serves as a powerful testament to the necessity of God's divine intervention in saving humanity, highlighting His boundless mercy and omnipotence. It is a reminder that the path to eternal life is not through human strength or accumulation, but through humble reliance on the One who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

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.

  • Matthew 24:22

    And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

  • Romans 10:13

    For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

  • Luke 13:23

    ¶ Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,

  • Luke 13:24

    Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

  • Mark 13:20

    And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.

  • Romans 11:5

    Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

  • Romans 11:7

    What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded

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