Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus sees the young man's sadness, not just his disappointment, and points out that riches are a huge stumbling block because they so easily become our ultimate treasure. It's not wealth itself, but the dangerous trap of trusting in it, that makes entering God's kingdom so incredibly difficult for those who have it.
Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!
English Standard Version (ESV)
Just moments before, a wealthy young ruler, eager for eternal life, walked away sadly because Jesus asked him to sell all his possessions. Seeing the ruler's sorrow and his inability to let go of his wealth, Jesus turns to his disciples to explain the immense difficulty riches can create for entering God's kingdom. This moment highlights that wealth itself isn't the issue, but rather the deep-seated human tendency to trust in it, a trust that becomes a significant obstacle to fully embracing God's rule.
When Jesus looked at the rich young ruler, he didn't just see a man walking away. He saw the internal struggle, the deep sadness that revealed something profound about his heart.
Jesus' observation, 'seeing that he had become sad,' highlights His deep insight into human nature. This wasn't just a fleeting disappointment; it was a sorrow stemming from a fundamental conflict between his possessions and his desire to follow Jesus. The sadness revealed that his wealth was not merely an asset but a deeply embedded attachment, an idol that held him captive. Jesus' keen perception cuts through any outward show, exposing the true allegiance of the heart. It shows us that spiritual assessment isn't about outward actions alone, but about the internal disposition and the things that truly control us.
Why is it so hard for the rich to enter the kingdom? Jesus uses a stark image to show that wealth, especially when it becomes an object of trust, creates a significant hurdle.
Jesus declares, 'How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!' This isn't a condemnation of all wealthy people, but a serious warning about the inherent dangers riches can bring. Wealth often fosters a false sense of security and self-sufficiency, making it incredibly hard to rely solely on God. The commentary notes that the issue is often not riches themselves, but 'those who have confidence in riches.' This misplaced trust becomes an idol, a barrier that prevents a person from submitting fully to God's rule. The profound difficulty lies in loosening the grip of material possessions to embrace the spiritual riches of God's kingdom.
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The disciples' astonishment at Jesus' words reveals a universal human struggle. But Jesus immediately pivots from human limitation to divine power.
After Jesus’ sobering statement about the rich, the disciples understandably ask, 'Who then can be saved?' Their question highlights the apparent impossibility of salvation for those deeply entangled with wealth. Jesus acknowledges this human impossibility: 'With men this is impossible.' This underscores that salvation is not achieved by human effort or by overcoming wealth's barriers through sheer willpower. However, He immediately offers the counterpoint: 'but with God all things are possible.' This shifts the focus entirely. It's not about the rich man's ability to divest himself of wealth or trust, but about God's sovereign power to work in and through any person, transforming their heart and enabling them to enter His kingdom.
Understand the original words
basileia · Greek Noun
The reign, rule, or sovereign authority of God. It represents the sphere where God’s will is obeyed and where those who have placed their faith in Him experience His eternal blessings.
This teaching occurs during Jesus' final journey to Jerusalem, a time of intense focus and high stakes, highlighting the stark reality that earthly wealth can become a significant obstacle to fully embracing God's kingdom, a truth that resonated deeply as the early church began to form and navigate its own relationship with material possessions.
c. 27-30 AD— this verse
Jesus' Ministry in Galilee and Judea
Jesus travels and teaches, gathering disciples and performing miracles, including encounters with people like the rich young ruler.
c. 30 AD
Jesus' Final Journey to Jerusalem
Jesus and his disciples travel towards Jerusalem for the final Passover, during which this teaching about riches and the kingdom takes place.
c. 30 AD
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
Jesus is crucified and resurrected in Jerusalem, marking a pivotal moment in salvation history.
c. 30-33 AD
Early Ministry of the Apostles
Following Jesus' ascension, the apostles, empowered by the Holy Spirit, begin to spread the Gospel, facing various challenges.
c. 40s-60s AD
Paul's Missionary Journeys
The Apostle Paul undertakes extensive journeys, establishing churches and writing epistles that often address the challenges of wealth and faith.
This passage presents the same teaching from Jesus, highlighting the difficulty for the rich to enter the kingdom and introducing the famous 'camel and needle' illustration.
Mark 10:24Mark's account also records this teaching, adding Jesus' affectionate address 'Children!' and emphasizing the difficulty for those who 'trust in riches'.
1 Timothy 6:10This verse directly states that 'the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils,' which often underpins the rich man's attachment to his wealth that prevents him from following Jesus.
Proverbs 11:28This proverb warns that 'whoever trusts in his riches will fall,' directly echoing Jesus' emphasis on the danger of relying on wealth rather than God for security and salvation.
Matthew 6:24Jesus states, 'No one can serve two masters... You cannot serve God and money,' which gets to the heart of the rich young ruler's struggle and the difficulty for the wealthy to prioritize God above their possessions.
calvinLuke 18:24-27: "And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!"
- And Jesus said to his disciples, Verily I say to you, A rich man will with difficulty enter into the kingdom of heaven. 24. Again I say to you, It is easier for a camel [630] to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 25. And his disciples, when they had heard these things, were greatly amazed, [631] sa…
gillLuke 18:24: "And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!"
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 th…
Jesus sees the young man's sadness, not just his disappointment, and points out that riches are a huge stumbling block because they so easily become our ultimate treasure. It's not wealth itself, but the dangerous trap of trusting in it, that makes entering God's kingdom so incredibly difficult for those who have it.
Just moments before, a wealthy young ruler, eager for eternal life, walked away sadly because Jesus asked him to sell all his possessions. Seeing the ruler's sorrow and his inability to let go of his wealth, Jesus turns to his disciples to explain the immense difficulty riches can create for entering God's kingdom. This moment highlights that wealth itself isn't the issue, but rather the deep-seated human tendency to trust in it, a trust that becomes a significant obstacle to fully embracing God's rule.
Just moments before, a wealthy young ruler, eager for eternal life, walked away sadly because Jesus asked him to sell all his possessions. Seeing the ruler's sorrow and his inability to let go of his wealth, Jesus turns to his disciples to explain the immense difficulty riches can create for entering God's kingdom. This moment highlights that wealth itself isn't the issue, but rather the deep-seated human tendency to trust in it, a trust that becomes a significant obstacle to fully embracing God's rule.
"Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" — Jesus sees the young man's sadness, not just his disappointment, and points out that riches are a huge stumbling block because they so easily become our ultimate treasure. It's not wealth itself, but…
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Last reviewed October 2026