And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus's choice to "look around" before speaking reveals his deep awareness of the disciples' likely assumptions. They probably saw wealth as a sign of God's favor, making His pronouncement that it's hard for the rich to enter the kingdom a startling, direct challenge to their worldview. This wasn't just a general statement, but a carefully timed correction aimed right at their hearts.
And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Just moments before, a wealthy young man had turned away sadly from Jesus, unwilling to give up his possessions for eternal life. Jesus, looking around at his disciples with a profound, searching gaze, uses this poignant moment to address the disciples' likely astonishment and the disciples' potential misinterpretation of riches as a sign of God's favor. He then explains how clinging to wealth can tragically hinder one's entry into God's kingdom, a truth that will further amaze them.
Ever felt a look that speaks volumes? Jesus’ gaze here is more than just seeing; it’s a profound connection with His disciples’ hearts.
The text highlights Jesus "looked around." This isn't a casual glance. Mark emphasizes Jesus' expressions and gestures, showing how they matched His inner feelings and were intended to stir the feelings of those around Him.
This specific look, after the rich young ruler walked away sadly, was no doubt filled with a deep sorrow and disappointment. It was a look that communicated the gravity of the situation and the disciples' potential misunderstanding of God's kingdom. It’s a reminder that Jesus is deeply aware of our hearts and situations.
Jesus says 'those who have wealth,' but the real issue is something deeper. What truly makes riches a barrier?
While the verse states "those who have wealth," the core problem isn't mere possession. The commentaries point out that the real obstacle is trusting in riches. Wealth itself isn't inherently evil, but it easily becomes an object of ultimate trust, eclipsing our reliance on God.
Riches can tempt us to rely on our own security, pride, and self-sufficiency. They can bind our hearts to earth, making it harder to focus on the eternal. This is why Jesus later clarifies, "how hard it is for those who trust in riches" (Mark 10:24), shifting the focus from simply owning wealth to the dangerous place it can occupy in our hearts.
Ask a follow-up
Jesus declares it 'difficult,' bordering on impossible. So, what hope is there for anyone, rich or otherwise?
The disciples’ astonished reaction (“Who then can be saved?”) reveals a crucial truth: salvation is impossible through human effort alone, especially when weighed down by the pride and self-reliance that riches can foster. Jesus confirms this impossibility when viewed from a purely human standpoint.
However, Jesus immediately pivots to the divine. The impossible barrier for humans becomes possible with God. This isn't a cop-out; it's an invitation to recognize our absolute need for God’s power. It means salvation isn't about the rich man's ability to detach from wealth, but God's sovereign work in bringing individuals – regardless of their financial status – into His kingdom.
Understand the original words
basileia tou Theou · Greek Noun
Refers to the manifestation of God’s rule and reign, both currently in the hearts of believers and definitively in the future age to come. It denotes the sphere over which God exercises His sovereignty.
chremata · Greek Noun
Refers to material resources or assets. Biblically, wealth is often viewed as a gift from God, but it carries significant spiritual danger if it becomes an object of trust, an idol, or a hindrance to wholehearted devotion to Christ.
The disciples' astonishment reflects the common Jewish view of the time that wealth was often a sign of God's favor. Jesus' challenging words, spoken in the context of a rich man's rejection of discipleship, underscore that true discipleship requires prioritizing God above all earthly possessions, a difficult but not impossible task with God's help.
c. 27-30 AD— this verse
Jesus' Ministry and Teaching
Jesus travels throughout Galilee and Judea, teaching about the Kingdom of God, healing the sick, and gathering disciples. His message often challenges conventional views of wealth and status.
c. 27-30 AD
Encounter with the Rich Young Ruler
A wealthy young man asks Jesus how to inherit eternal life. Jesus tells him to sell all he has, give to the poor, and follow Him. The man goes away sorrowful, unable to do so.
c. 27-30 AD
Jesus' Discourse on Riches
In response to the rich young ruler's departure, Jesus teaches his disciples about the difficulty rich people face in entering the Kingdom of God, using the analogy of a camel and a needle's eye.
c. 30 AD
Jesus' Ascension
After his resurrection, Jesus ascends into heaven, leaving his disciples to continue his ministry.
c. 40-60 AD
Early Church Growth and Persecution
The early Christian church spreads rapidly but also faces significant opposition and persecution from both Jewish authorities and the Roman Empire.
c. 60-65 AD
Writing of the Gospel of Mark
The Gospel of Mark, likely written in Rome or nearby, records Jesus' life and teachings for a Roman audience. The emphasis on the rich young ruler's story and Jesus' subsequent teaching highlights the challenges of discipleship, even for those with worldly advantages.
This passage is a parallel account where Jesus also states the difficulty for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven, emphasizing the same core theme.
Luke 12:16-21The parable of the rich fool highlights the danger of misplaced trust in material possessions, which aligns with Jesus' concern about wealth hindering entry into God's kingdom.
1 Timothy 6:10This verse directly addresses the corrupting influence of the love of money, which is a root cause of the spiritual entanglement Jesus describes regarding riches.
James 5:1-3James warns the rich against their hoarding and indulgence, showing how wealth can lead to a distorted sense of security and injustice, directly opposing the values of God's kingdom.
Matthew 6:24Jesus' teaching that one cannot serve both God and money underscores the divisive nature of wealth and the potential for it to become an idol that prevents devotion to God.
bengelMark 10:23: "And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!"
Mark 10:23 . Περιβλεψάμενος , having looked round about ) We have often the look [countenance] of Christ described, corresponding as it did to His inward feeling, and adapted to the inward feelings of His hearers: Comp. Mark 5:21 ; Mark 5:27 .— πῶς , how ) The proposition stated is, A rich man is with difficulty saved: the subject of the proposition is…
pulpitMark 10:23: "And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!"
Verse 23. - And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples (καὶ περιβλεψάμενος ὁ Ιησοῦς λέγει). St. Mark frequently uses this word περιβλέπω. Our Lord turned from the young man, who was now going away, and looked round about, no doubt with a sad and disappointed look, and said to his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter in…
Jesus's choice to "look around" before speaking reveals his deep awareness of the disciples' likely assumptions. They probably saw wealth as a sign of God's favor, making His pronouncement that it's hard for the rich to enter the kingdom a startling, direct challenge to their worldview. This wasn't just a general statement, but a carefully timed correction aimed right at their hearts.
Just moments before, a wealthy young man had turned away sadly from Jesus, unwilling to give up his possessions for eternal life. Jesus, looking around at his disciples with a profound, searching gaze, uses this poignant moment to address the disciples' likely astonishment and the disciples' potential misinterpretation of riches as a sign of God's favor. He then explains how clinging to wealth can tragically hinder one's entry into God's kingdom, a truth that will further amaze them.
Just moments before, a wealthy young man had turned away sadly from Jesus, unwilling to give up his possessions for eternal life. Jesus, looking around at his disciples with a profound, searching gaze, uses this poignant moment to address the disciples' likely astonishment and the disciples' potential misinterpretation of riches as a sign of God's favor. He then explains how clinging to wealth can tragically hinder one's entry into God's kingdom, a truth that will further amaze them.
"And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”" — Jesus's choice to "look around" before speaking reveals his deep awareness of the disciples' likely assumptions. They probably saw wealth as a sign of God's favor, making His pronouncement that it's…
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Last reviewed October 2026