Matthew 19:23

23 And Jesus said to his disciples, I say to you truth, for a rich man of hard shall enter into the kingdom of heavens. [Forsooth Jesus said to his disciples, Truly I say to you, for of hard a rich man shall enter into the realm of heavens.]

Matthew 19:23 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 19:23

Then said Jesus unto his disciples.
&c.] When the young man was gone; taking this opportunity to make some proper observations for the use and instruction of his disciples, after, as Mark observes, he had "looked round about"; with concern, and in order to affect their minds with this incident, and to raise their attention to what he was about to say:

verily I say unto you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the
kingdom of heaven:
either into the Gospel dispensation, and receive the truths, and submit to the ordinances of it, or into the kingdom of glory hereafter; not but that there have been, are, and will be, some that are rich, called by grace, brought into a Gospel church state, and are heirs of the kingdom of heaven; though these are but comparatively few: nor is it riches themselves that make the entrance so difficult, and clog the way, either into grace or glory, but putting trust and confidence in them; and therefore in Mark, they "that have riches", are by Christ explained of such, that "trust in riches"; and which rich men in common are very apt to do, as this young man did, against which the apostle cautions, ( 1 Timothy 6:17 )

Matthew 19:23 In-Context

21 Jesus saith to him, If thou wilt be perfect, go, and sell all things that thou hast, and give to poor men, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come, and follow me.
22 And when the young man had heard these words, he went away sorrowful, for he had many possessions.
23 And Jesus said to his disciples, I say to you truth, for a rich man of hard shall enter into the kingdom of heavens. [Forsooth Jesus said to his disciples, Truly I say to you, for of hard a rich man shall enter into the realm of heavens.]
24 And again I say to you, it is lighter a camel to pass through a needle's eye [+And again I say to you, it is easier a camel for to pass through the hole of a needle], than a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heavens.
25 When these things were heard, the disciples wondered greatly, and said [Truly these words heard, the disciples wondered greatly, saying], Who then may be safe?
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.