Luke 18:24

Possessions and the Kingdom

24 Seeing that he became sad,^[a] Jesus said, "How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!

Luke 18:24 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 18:24

And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful
As he might, by his looks and gestures; and perceived that he was determined not to part with his possessions, and follow him:

he said to his disciples, how hardly shall they that have riches
enter into the kingdom of God!
embrace the Gospel, and submit to the ordinances of it; deny themselves, part with their worldly substance for the cause of Christ, and interest of religion. Riches, which should be a reason for, are often a bar unto a profession of Christ, and his Gospel. This is delivered as an affirmation, or by way of assertion, (See Gill on Matthew 19:23).

Luke 18:24 In-Context

22 When Jesus heard this, He told him, "You still lack one thing: sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me."

23 After he heard this, he became extremely sad, because he was very rich.

24 Seeing that he became sad, Jesus said, "How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!

25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God."

26 Those who heard this asked, "Then who can be saved?"

Footnotes

• [a]. Other mss omit he became sad