Luke 18:24

24 And Jesus took notice of him [and] said, "How {difficult it is for} those who possess wealth to enter into 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 And [when he] heard [this], Jesus said to him, "{You still lack one thing}: Sell all that you have, and distribute [the proceeds] to the poor--and you will have treasure in heaven--and come, follow me."

23 But [when he] heard these [things] he became very sad, because he was extremely wealthy.

24 And Jesus took notice of him [and] said, "How {difficult it is for} those who possess wealth to enter into 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 into the kingdom of God.

26 So those who heard [this] said, "And who can be saved?"

Footnotes

• [a] Some manuscripts add "becoming very sad"
• [b] *Here "[and]" is supplied because the previous participle ("took notice of") has been translated as a finite verb
• [c] Literally "with difficulty"