What does Matthew 19:23 mean?

After Jesus' conversation with a wealthy young man (Matthew 19:16–22), Jesus says a remarkable thing. He shows the seriousness of it by beginning with "Truly, I say to you." These words serve to highlight whatever comes next.

Jesus declares that it is only with difficulty that a rich person will enter the kingdom of heaven. He has just promised eternal life to a young man if he will sell all he owns, give the money to the poor, and follow Him. That challenge was meant only for that man—not all people—and proved that the rich man was not truly willing to obey God. The man could not or would not do it.

This comment by Christ challenges assumptions held by the people of His day about wealth. Many believed that wealthy people were rich because God—or gods—had blessed them. They assumed that wealth and success meant God saw those people as better, superior, or more faithful than regular poor people. Because God already favored the wealthy, it must be easier for them to get into the kingdom of heaven, so the thinking went.

Jesus' statement shows this is not so. For one thing, the rich are not rich because they are better people than the poor. Wealth and success are certainly influenced by making good choices (Proverbs 3:1–4), but they can also be the result of dishonesty or malice (Proverbs 20:17). More importantly, though, nobody will get into heaven's kingdom by being good enough, by being better than others. Jesus earlier told His own disciples that, "unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3).

Wealthy people, self-reliant and well provided for, have a much harder time humbling themselves and admitting their need, even to God, than those who are poor. That's why it is so difficult for them to enter the kingdom with the required humility of faith in Jesus. This same principle can apply to those who rely on their intelligence, good luck, or other attributes instead of on God.