Mark 10:27
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus' gaze isn't just a passive observation; the Greek word used suggests an intense, deep look that penetrates to the heart of the disciples' confusion and anxiety. He sees their astonishment and the unspoken question, "Then who can be saved?" and this profound look prepares them for the truth that salvation isn't about human effort, but divine power.
Jesus has just encountered a rich young man who, despite his desire for eternal life, couldn't bear to give up his wealth. After the man sadly leaves, Jesus turns to his disciples, explaining how difficult it is for the rich to enter God's kingdom, even comparing it to a camel passing through a needle's eye. The disciples are astonished and ask, "Who then can be saved?" In response to their amazement and perhaps their own anxieties about wealth, Jesus declares that while it's impossible with human strength, all things are possible with God.
When Jesus said something was impossible, He meant it. Discover the profound human limitation that points us to God's power.
In the context of the rich young ruler turning away and the disciples' subsequent astonishment, Jesus delivers a stark truth: 'With men it is impossible.' This isn't just a suggestion; it's a declaration of fundamental human inability when it comes to achieving salvation or entering God's kingdom. The disciples were amazed because, in their cultural understanding, wealth was often seen as a sign of God's favor. Jesus is overturning this idea, revealing that the very things people often rely on – their wealth, status, or effort – become the greatest obstacles. He emphasizes that the disciples' own struggle to grasp this reveals a deeper truth: our natural state is one of profound spiritual bankruptcy. Our own strength, wisdom, or righteousness simply cannot bridge the gap to a holy God. This impossibility is not a reason for despair, but a necessary prelude to understanding where true hope lies.
If it’s impossible for us, how can anyone be saved? Jesus points to the One who can do all things.
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Immediately following the declaration of human impossibility, Jesus pivots to the ultimate source of hope: God. '...but not with God. For all things are possible with God.' This isn't a vague, philosophical statement; it's a divine reassurance. The very impossibility that paralyzes humanity is the stage upon which God's omnipotence shines brightest. Whether it's transforming the heart of a wealthy person clinging to riches, enabling a follower to endure persecution, or ultimately raising Jesus from the dead, God's power is absolute and capable of overcoming any barrier. This power isn't limited by human understanding or circumstance. It’s the power that initiates salvation, sustains believers, and guarantees the ultimate victory of His kingdom. It reminds us that our faith is not in our own capacity, but in the limitless ability of our Creator and Redeemer.
Understand the original words
theos · Greek Noun
Used in Scripture to describe the Almighty Creator who is sovereign over all creation. It emphasizes that His power is not limited by human constraints or natural laws, making Him the sole author and sustainer of salvation.
This verse directly echoes Jesus' statement, with Jeremiah exclaiming, 'Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.' It highlights the absolute sovereignty and capability of God in all circumstances.
Genesis 18:14When God promises Sarah a son in her old age, Abraham asks, 'Is anything too hard for the LORD?' This question, similar to the disciples' astonishment, is met by God's clear affirmation of His omnipotence, reinforcing the idea that human limitations are irrelevant to God's power.
Philippians 4:13This verse states, 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.' It shows how God's enabling power, as spoken by Jesus, can be experienced by believers, allowing them to overcome what would be impossible in their own strength.
Romans 8:28This passage assures believers that 'in all things God works for good with those who love him.' It connects the 'all things' that are possible with God to His ultimate redemptive purposes, even when circumstances seem impossible.
Matthew 19:26Found in the parallel account, Jesus' immediate follow-up clarifies the context: 'But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”' This reinforces that the disciples' question about salvation, particularly for the rich, prompted Jesus' declaration of God's power to achieve the humanly impossible.
bengelMark 10:27: "And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible."
Mark 10:27 . Πάντα , all things ) Psalm 62:12 . Comp. in that passage and here the preceding context.
gillMark 10:27: "And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible."
And Jesus, looking upon them,.... And by their countenances saw the surprise and anxiety of mind they were in, as well as by his omniscience, knew their private reasonings among themselves: saith, with men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible; even to reduce a camel to so small a size, as to go through the eye of a needle; and to…
Jesus' gaze isn't just a passive observation; the Greek word used suggests an intense, deep look that penetrates to the heart of the disciples' confusion and anxiety. He sees their astonishment and the unspoken question, "Then who can be saved?" and this profound look prepares them for the truth that salvation isn't about human effort, but divine power.
Jesus has just encountered a rich young man who, despite his desire for eternal life, couldn't bear to give up his wealth. After the man sadly leaves, Jesus turns to his disciples, explaining how difficult it is for the rich to enter God's kingdom, even comparing it to a camel passing through a needle's eye. The disciples are astonished and ask, "Who then can be saved?" In response to their amazement and perhaps their own anxieties about wealth, Jesus declares that while it's impossible with human strength, all things are possible with God.
Jesus has just encountered a rich young man who, despite his desire for eternal life, couldn't bear to give up his wealth. After the man sadly leaves, Jesus turns to his disciples, explaining how difficult it is for the rich to enter God's kingdom, even comparing it to a camel passing through a needle's eye. The disciples are astonished and ask, "Who then can be saved?" In response to their amazement and perhaps their own anxieties about wealth, Jesus declares that while it's impossible with human strength, all things are possible with God.
"Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”" — Jesus' gaze isn't just a passive observation; the Greek word used suggests an intense, deep look that penetrates to the heart of the disciples' confusion and anxiety. He sees their astonishment and t…
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