Mark 10:26
And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The disciples’ question, "Then who can be saved?" doesn't just express shock at a rich man's difficulty; it reveals their ingrained belief that wealth was a primary sign of God's favor. Their astonishment arises because Jesus is overturning their fundamental understanding of how God's blessing and kingdom work.
Just before this, Jesus told a wealthy young man that he couldn't enter the kingdom of God unless he sold everything and followed Him. After the young man left sorrowfully, Jesus looked intently at His disciples and declared how difficult it is for the rich to enter God's kingdom, even using the extreme illustration of a camel passing through a needle's eye. This startling statement causes the disciples to exclaim in utter astonishment, questioning if anyone can possibly be saved if such a condition exists.
Jesus just dropped a bombshell: it's incredibly hard for rich people to enter God's kingdom. The disciples' reaction? Pure shock. They weren't just surprised; they were floored.
Imagine hearing Jesus declare that wealth is a huge barrier to entering God's kingdom. For the disciples, this was mind-blowing. In their world, riches were often seen as a sign of God's blessing. They probably thought, 'If wealth is such a hurdle, who could possibly be saved?' Their question, 'Then who can be saved?', wasn't just about rich people. It was a deep existential cry, questioning the very possibility of salvation for anyone, given how difficult it seemed. This reveals their understanding of salvation was still limited, and Jesus was about to expand it dramatically.
The disciples' question highlights a humanly impossible situation. But Jesus' answer redirects their gaze from human limitation to divine power.
Jesus' response, 'With men it is impossible, but not with God,' is the pivotal pivot point here. He affirms the disciples' stunned realization: by human effort, by our own merit or possessions, entering God's kingdom is truly impossible. It’s not just difficult for the rich; it’s impossible for anyone relying on their own strength or status. However, Jesus immediately contrasts this human impossibility with God's unlimited power. Salvation isn't about our ability to meet God's standards; it's about God's ability to transform hearts and make the impossible possible through His grace. This shifts the focus from human achievement to divine enablement.
Understand the original words
sōzō · Greek Verb
In a biblical context, this term describes the state of being rescued from the power and penalty of sin, as well as the deliverance into a right relationship with God and the inheritance of eternal life. It implies a condition that human effort cannot attain.
The disciples' astonishment wasn't just about a difficult requirement; it challenged a deeply ingrained cultural assumption that wealth was a clear indicator of divine approval and blessing.
c. 1st Century AD
Jewish Society and Wealth
In first-century Jewish society, wealth was often seen as a sign of God's favor and blessing. This perspective made the idea of riches being a hindrance to salvation particularly astonishing.
c. 1st Century AD
Religious Leaders' Wealth
Many prominent religious leaders in Jesus' time were accumulating significant wealth, often through their positions. This societal context made Jesus' teaching that riches could be a barrier to God's kingdom quite revolutionary.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Encounter with the Rich Young Ruler
Jesus encounters a wealthy young man who asks how to inherit eternal life. After the man leaves sorrowfully because he cannot part with his possessions, Jesus teaches his disciples about the difficulty of the rich entering the kingdom of God.
c. AD 30-33
Disciples' Astonishment
Jesus' disciples are profoundly surprised and amazed by his teaching that it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. They exclaim, 'Then who can be saved?'
This passage presents the disciples' nearly identical reaction of astonishment and questioning, showing this was a common understanding and shock among Jesus' followers regarding the implications of wealth and salvation.
Luke 18:26Luke's account emphasizes the disciples' heightened amazement and their direct question, 'Who then can be saved?', reinforcing the profound challenge Jesus’ teaching presented to their existing assumptions.
Romans 3:23This verse highlights the universal nature of sin, which underscores Jesus' later point that salvation is not dependent on human merit or status, but on God's grace – a concept that explains why no one, rich or poor, can achieve salvation by their own efforts.
1 Corinthians 1:26-29Paul echoes Jesus' sentiment by pointing out that God often chooses the seemingly weak and insignificant, not the wealthy and powerful, to be saved, thereby demonstrating that human status and possessions are irrelevant to God's salvific plan.
Mark 10:27This verse immediately follows the disciples' question and provides Jesus' answer: 'With men it is impossible, but not with God,' directly addressing the disciples' astonishment and pointing to divine power as the source of salvation, not human capability or wealth.
bengelMark 10:26: "And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?"
Mark 10:26 . Καὶ , and [ i.e. “who then? ”]) This particle here expresses astonishment. [26. Ἀφήσει , neither will forgive ) And so will also refuse to give ear to.—V. g.]
gillMark 10:26: "And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?"
And they were astonished out of measure,.... They were still more amazed, their surprise increased exceedingly upon our Lord's using the above comparison; which, in their apprehension, showed, that it was utterly impossible for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God; and they expressed their astonishment, saying, among themselves, who then can be saved? in the Messiah's kingdom, if rich m…
The disciples’ question, "Then who can be saved?" doesn't just express shock at a rich man's difficulty; it reveals their ingrained belief that wealth was a primary sign of God's favor. Their astonishment arises because Jesus is overturning their fundamental understanding of how God's blessing and kingdom work.
Just before this, Jesus told a wealthy young man that he couldn't enter the kingdom of God unless he sold everything and followed Him. After the young man left sorrowfully, Jesus looked intently at His disciples and declared how difficult it is for the rich to enter God's kingdom, even using the extreme illustration of a camel passing through a needle's eye. This startling statement causes the disciples to exclaim in utter astonishment, questioning if anyone can possibly be saved if such a condition exists.
Just before this, Jesus told a wealthy young man that he couldn't enter the kingdom of God unless he sold everything and followed Him. After the young man left sorrowfully, Jesus looked intently at His disciples and declared how difficult it is for the rich to enter God's kingdom, even using the extreme illustration of a camel passing through a needle's eye. This startling statement causes the disciples to exclaim in utter astonishment, questioning if can possibly be saved if such a condition exists.
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c. AD 30-33
Jesus Clarifies Divine Power
In response to the disciples' shock, Jesus emphasizes that while it is impossible with humans, all things are possible with God, pointing to divine grace as the true means of salvation.
"And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?”" — The disciples’ question, "Then who can be saved?" doesn't just express shock at a rich man's difficulty; it reveals their ingrained belief that wealth was a primary sign of God's favor. Their astonis…
