Jesus doesn't just state that riches are a hurdle; He sees the rich young ruler's sorrow and uses it as the immediate trigger, highlighting how personal emotional attachment to wealth, not just the money itself, makes entering God's kingdom incredibly difficult. This reveals that the true obstacle isn't wealth as an external thing, but the internal grip it holds on our hearts.
Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This moment follows directly after a wealthy young ruler asks Jesus how to gain eternal life but walks away sad when told to sell all he owns. Jesus, seeing the man's sorrow and departure, turns to his disciples and makes a profound statement about the immense difficulty riches present to entering God's kingdom. This immediately leads into Jesus explaining this difficulty further with the camel and needle's eye illustration and the disciples' astonished reaction.
Why does Jesus describe entering the Kingdom as so 'hard' for the wealthy? It’s not just about having money, but what money can do to our hearts.
Jesus’ statement, 'How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!' isn't a condemnation of wealth itself, but a stark warning about its inherent dangers.
The Heart's True Treasure
When Jesus says it's 'hard' for the rich, he's not just stating a difficulty – he’s pointing to an impossibility apart from divine intervention.
The disciples' astonished reaction ('Who then can be saved?') reveals the gravity of Jesus' words. His response clarifies that salvation is not a human achievement, especially for those entangled by wealth.
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Beyond Human Strength
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.
kamēlos · Greek Noun
A large, desert-dwelling mammal used as a symbol of something vast or impossible to maneuver through a narrow opening. In this context, it illustrates the human impossibility of entering God's kingdom while relying on material wealth.
rhaphis · Greek Noun
A small, metallic tool for sewing, used here proverbially to represent the smallest possible aperture. The image signifies the utter impossibility of human effort alone to secure salvation or entry into God's presence.
The rich ruler's sorrowful departure highlights a profound, recurring theme in Jesus' ministry: the seductive power of wealth and the challenge it poses to absolute devotion to God.
c. 28-30 AD
Jesus' Galilean Ministry
Jesus travels throughout Galilee, teaching and performing miracles, gathering a growing following.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Encounter with the Rich Ruler
A wealthy young ruler asks Jesus how to inherit eternal life, but tragically walks away when Jesus calls him to sell all he has.
c. 30 AD
Jesus Teaches Disciples on Riches
In response to the ruler's departure and the disciples' amazement, Jesus teaches about the difficulty for the rich to enter God's kingdom.
c. 30 AD
Jesus' Journey to Jerusalem
Jesus begins his final journey towards Jerusalem, a journey filled with teachings about the cost of discipleship.
c. 30 AD
Jesus' Passion Week in Jerusalem
Jesus enters Jerusalem, teaches in the Temple, and faces opposition from religious leaders, leading to his arrest and crucifixion.
This passage directly parallels Luke's account, presenting Christ's strong warning that it is difficult for the rich to enter the kingdom of God, reinforcing the severity of the statement.
Mark 10:24Mark's Gospel adds the crucial detail that Jesus said it's hard for those who 'trust in riches,' highlighting that the danger isn't wealth itself, but the misplaced confidence it can breed.
1 Timothy 6:10This verse speaks to the root issue by stating that 'the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil,' showing how wealth can easily lead to dangerous attachments and neglect of spiritual priorities.
Luke 12:15Jesus himself warns, 'Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness,' directly addressing the core temptation that wealth presents and which hindered the rich young ruler.
Proverbs 11:28This proverb clearly illustrates the spiritual peril of wealth, stating 'Whoever trusts in his riches will fall,' providing ancient wisdom that echoes Jesus' caution in Luke.
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 doesn't just state that riches are a hurdle; He sees the rich young ruler's sorrow and uses it as the immediate trigger, highlighting how personal emotional attachment to wealth, not just the money itself, makes entering God's kingdom incredibly difficult. This reveals that the true obstacle isn't wealth as an external thing, but the internal grip it holds on our hearts.
This moment follows directly after a wealthy young ruler asks Jesus how to gain eternal life but walks away sad when told to sell all he owns. Jesus, seeing the man's sorrow and departure, turns to his disciples and makes a profound statement about the immense difficulty riches present to entering God's kingdom. This immediately leads into Jesus explaining this difficulty further with the camel and needle's eye illustration and the disciples' astonished reaction.
This moment follows directly after a wealthy young ruler asks Jesus how to gain eternal life but walks away sad when told to sell all he owns. Jesus, seeing the man's sorrow and departure, turns to his disciples and makes a profound statement about the immense difficulty riches present to entering God's kingdom. This immediately leads into Jesus explaining this difficulty further with the camel and needle's eye illustration and the disciples' astonished reaction.
"Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”" — Jesus doesn't just state that riches are a hurdle; He sees the rich young ruler's sorrow and uses it as the immediate trigger, highlighting how personal emotional attachment to wealth, not just the m…
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Last reviewed October 2026
