Matthew 19:23 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven.

NIV: Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.

NASB: And Jesus said to His disciples, 'Truly I say to you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven.

CSB: Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven.

NLT: Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

KJV: Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

NKJV: Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.

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.

Matthew 19:16–30 describes Jesus' conversation with a wealthy young man who asks how to attain eternal life. Jesus begins by establishing a standard of goodness, suggesting the man keep all the commandments. When the man says he has done this, Jesus suggests he give up his wealth to follow Him. The man's sad reaction proves he's unwilling to make God the real priority of his life. Using this as an example, Jesus warns that wealth can make it difficult for someone to accept salvation.

Pharisees ask Jesus if it is lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause. Jesus reminds them marriage was designed by God at creation. Divorce, then, is lawful only in the case of sexual immorality. A rich young man asks Jesus what good thing he must do to have eternal life. Jesus insists only God is good. He challenges the man's sincerity by asking him to give all his wealth to the poor and follow Him. The man's refusal demonstrates how easy it is to prefer wealth to dependence on God. In response to the disciples' question, Jesus says salvation is impossible with men but not with God.

Matthew 19 follows Jesus' teachings about temptation and forgiveness in chapter 18. This passage begins with Jesus leaving behind Galilee and heading toward Jerusalem the long way around. Jesus tells the Pharisees that divorce is legal only in cases of sexual immorality. Jesus blesses little children and then answers a rich young man who asks how to have eternal life. The man leaves sad after Jesus challenges him to give his money to the poor and follow Him. Jesus says salvation is impossible with men, but not with God. Chapter 20 contains additional parables and examples, and is the last before Jesus arrives in Jerusalem in the days just prior to His crucifixion.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.