Luke 18:27 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But he said, "What is impossible with man is possible with God."

NIV: Jesus replied, "What is impossible with man is possible with God."

NASB: But He said, 'The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.'

CSB: He replied, "What is impossible with man is possible with God."

NLT: He replied, 'What is impossible for people is possible with God.'

KJV: And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

NKJV: But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”

This verse is the theme of the entire chapter.

In the parable of the persistent widow, God's elect put their faith in Him. They know their Father will willingly and quickly give them justice (Luke 18:1–8). What people barely offer, if ever, God gives freely.

In the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, the Pharisee espouses his own greatness. But heavenly mercy is reserved for those like the tax collector, who repents in humble faith (Luke 18:9–14). Where human arrogance results in a dead end, God's mercy breaks through.

When the disciples try to keep parents from bringing children to Jesus, He rebukes them. God opens His kingdom to those who know they are powerless, not those who think they deserve it (Luke 18:15–17).

Finally, here, a crowd learns that even someone bearing all the worldly signs of being a good person cannot earn eternal life. Only God saves (Luke 18:18–30). What human efforts could never do, God's love and mercy will accomplish. It is God who saves, not our works or goodness or sacrifices. It is God who gives us good works to do because it is He who saves (Ephesians 2:8–10).

Next, Jesus explains why God can give such mercy: because Jesus will go to the cross (Luke 18:31–34). Then a blind beggar proves that decorum is nothing compared to a bold, loud faith that God will save (Luke 18:35–43). God will reach into the heart of a rich man and show him his money is nothing compared to the spiritual riches of the kingdom of God. The young man of this verse is not willing, but Zacchaeus is (Luke 19:1–10).

Luke 18:18–27 introduces the counter example to the powerless, trusting children of Luke 18:15–17. This instance also contrasts with the sacrificial disciples of Luke 18:28–30. The children have nothing to cling to and readily receive God's kingdom. The rich man in this section cannot muster such dependent faith. He wants eternal life but doesn't know if it's worth sacrificing worldly comforts. Conversely, the disciples have given up their place in the world in hopes of something better. This story is also found in Matthew 19:16–22 and Mark 10:17–22.

Luke continues to arrange Jesus' teachings by their topic. Here, he includes two parables: the persistent widow and the Pharisee and the tax collector. Jesus encourages children to approach Him. He interacts with a moral, wealthy man who can't bear to follow Jesus if it means giving up wealth. After another prediction of His death, Jesus encounters and heals a blind man on His way to Jerusalem.

Luke 18 approaches the end of Jesus' "travelogue" to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51—19:27). Luke has selected miracles, teachings, and events to show how Jesus trained His disciples. His emphasis was explaining the kingdom of God in preparation for their work to build the church. Luke 18 includes several contrasts between those who understand God's kingdom and those who don't. Luke 19 includes the story of Zacchaeus and another parable before Jesus' triumphal entry and the Passion Week. These stories are also found primarily in Matthew 19—20 and Mark 10.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.