And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God!
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus calls the disciples "Children" not to soften the truth, but with pity and compassion, recognizing their confusion. He clarifies that it's not simply having riches that's the problem, but the trust placed in them, which puffs people up and makes them deaf to God's word.
And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God!
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just told a rich young ruler that he must sell everything he owns to follow Him, an instruction that left the man deeply sorrowful. The disciples are amazed by this seemingly harsh demand and Jesus' statement about the difficulty for the rich to enter God's kingdom. Jesus, seeing their astonishment, gently reiterates the point, emphasizing that it's not wealth itself, but the trust placed in riches, that poses the obstacle.
Why did the disciples freak out when Jesus spoke about riches and the Kingdom? It wasn't what they expected.
Imagine growing up in a time where wealth was often seen as a sign of God's favor. The disciples, like many Jews of their day, likely associated prosperity with blessing. When Jesus declared, 'How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!' (Mark 10:23), it must have hit them like a ton of bricks.
Their astonishment (Mark 10:24) wasn't just surprise; it was confusion and maybe even a little fear. Their understanding of God's kingdom and who belonged in it was being challenged. Jesus wasn't just stating a rule; He was revealing a profound spiritual reality that overturned their common assumptions.
Jesus wasn't against people having money. So what was the real issue? It's all about where you place your confidence.
Jesus clarifies His statement in verse 24: 'Children, how hard it is for them that trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!' This is key. Jesus isn't condemning wealth itself, but the human tendency to rely on it.
When riches become our security, our source of happiness, or our perceived path to a good life, they become idols. They occupy the place that rightfully belongs to God. This misplaced trust is the real barrier. As James puts it, 'The rich man is driven into the wilderness by his possessions, and not by his poverty.' Wealth itself isn't the problem; an idolized trust in it is.
Ask a follow-up
The disciples' question, 'Who then can be saved?' echoes a universal feeling of inadequacy. But Jesus points to a different power.
After Jesus' stark pronouncements about riches and trust, the disciples' follow-up question, 'Who then can be saved?' (Mark 10:26), reveals the depth of their struggle. They recognized the immense difficulty, even impossibility, for humans to overcome such deeply ingrained attachments and societal values.
Jesus’ response is powerful: 'With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible' (Mark 10:27). This isn't a get-out-of-jail-free card for inaction. Instead, it shifts the focus from human effort to divine power. It means that transformation, surrender, and entry into God's kingdom are ultimately dependent on God’s work in us. It calls us to rely not on our own strength to shed worldly attachments, but on God’s enabling grace.
Understand the original words
teknon · Greek Noun
A term of endearment and instruction used by Jesus to address his followers, emphasizing their dependence on Him and their status as heirs of God's grace. It highlights the relational intimacy between the Master and His disciples.
This passage echoes the disciples' astonishment, highlighting their amazement at Jesus' words about the difficulty riches present for entering God's kingdom.
1 Timothy 6:10This verse directly addresses the root issue Jesus points to: the love of money as a source of evil, which is what truly hinders trust in God and entry into His kingdom.
Matthew 6:24Jesus' teaching here about not being able to serve both God and money powerfully illustrates why trusting in riches makes serving God so difficult.
James 1:10-11This passage explains the fleeting and unreliable nature of riches, underscoring why placing one's ultimate trust in them is misplaced and detrimental to spiritual life.
Psalm 52:7This psalm speaks directly to the folly of those who trust in their abundance, mirroring Jesus' warning that such trust is a dangerous obstacle on the path to God.
wesleyMark 10:24: "And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!"
10:24 Jesus saith to them, Children - See how he softens the harsh truth, by the manner of delivering it! And yet without retracting or abating one tittle: How hard is it for them that trust in riches - Either for defence, or happiness, or deliverance from the thousand dangers that life is continual…
bengelMark 10:24: "And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!"
Mark 10:24 . Τέκνα , Children ) This term of address shows, that Jesus speaks with pity, but at the same time with truth: and that He freely declares the fact to His disciples.— τοὺς πεποιθότος , those that trust ) puffed up thereby, so as not to obey the word of God: ch. Mark 4:19 ; Psalm 62:10 ; 1…
Jesus calls the disciples "Children" not to soften the truth, but with pity and compassion, recognizing their confusion. He clarifies that it's not simply having riches that's the problem, but the trust placed in them, which puffs people up and makes them deaf to God's word.
Jesus has just told a rich young ruler that he must sell everything he owns to follow Him, an instruction that left the man deeply sorrowful. The disciples are amazed by this seemingly harsh demand and Jesus' statement about the difficulty for the rich to enter God's kingdom. Jesus, seeing their astonishment, gently reiterates the point, emphasizing that it's not wealth itself, but the trust placed in riches, that poses the obstacle.
Jesus has just told a rich young ruler that he must sell everything he owns to follow Him, an instruction that left the man deeply sorrowful. The disciples are amazed by this seemingly harsh demand and Jesus' statement about the difficulty for the rich to enter God's kingdom. Jesus, seeing their astonishment, gently reiterates the point, emphasizing that it's not wealth itself, but the trust placed in riches, that poses the obstacle.
"And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God!" — Jesus calls the disciples "Children" not to soften the truth, but with pity and compassion, recognizing their confusion. He clarifies that it's not simply having riches that's the problem, but the…
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Last reviewed October 2026