Luke 18 24

Luke 18:24 kjv

And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

Luke 18:24 nkjv

And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!

Luke 18:24 niv

Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!

Luke 18:24 esv

Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, "How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!

Luke 18:24 nlt

When Jesus saw this, he said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!

Luke 18 verses

Luke 18 24 Meaning

This verse captures Jesus' profound insight into the human heart following the rich ruler's sorrowful departure. He observes the deep attachment the man had to his possessions. Jesus then declares a significant truth: it is extraordinarily difficult for those who possess wealth to enter the Kingdom of God. The difficulty stems not from wealth itself, but from the spiritual peril associated with trusting in riches rather than solely on God, fostering a false sense of security, and obstructing wholehearted surrender to God's will.

Luke 18 24 Context

Luke 18:24 directly follows the encounter between Jesus and a rich ruler who approached Jesus inquiring about inheriting eternal life (Lk 18:18). This ruler asserted his strict adherence to the commandments. Jesus, perceiving his deeper issue, challenged him to sell all his possessions, distribute them to the poor, and follow Him, promising him "treasure in heaven." The ruler, upon hearing this, became "very sorrowful" because he was "very rich" and unable to relinquish his great wealth (Lk 18:23).

Historically and culturally, in the time of Jesus, wealth was often perceived as a sign of God's blessing and favor, indicative of one's piety and righteousness. Prophets like Abraham and Job were blessed with great material possessions. Therefore, for Jesus to declare that wealth presented an obstacle to entering the "Kingdom of God" (God's present and future reign, both spiritual and sovereign), was a radical and direct polemic against prevailing religious and societal assumptions. The "Kingdom of God" referred to God's reign and active participation in His divine rule and salvation, requiring complete allegiance to Him. This challenged the common belief that prosperity ensured divine approval and spiritual ease. Jesus was highlighting that a true entry into the Kingdom requires an inner spiritual transformation and absolute surrender, where trust is placed solely in God, not in material security.

Luke 18 24 Word analysis

• And when Jesus saw (ἰδών δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς, idōn de ho Iēsous): The Greek verb "idōn" (seeing) implies more than a mere glance; it suggests a deep, discerning perception. Jesus not only observed the rich ruler's visible reaction but also understood the internal struggle and the condition of his heart – his ultimate reliance on his wealth. This highlights Jesus' divine insight into human nature.
• that he was very sorrowful (περίλυπον γενόμενον, perilupon genomenon): "Perilypon" means "exceedingly sad," "very sorrowful," or "grievously distressed." It intensifies the rich ruler's emotional state, revealing profound anguish. His sorrow indicates the strength of his attachment to his riches; he desired eternal life but not at the cost of his idol.
• he said, 'How hard it is' (εἶπεν, Πῶς δυσκόλως, eipen, Pōs duskolōs): The Greek "duskolōs" means "with difficulty," "hardly," or "scarcely." Jesus emphasizes the immense challenge. It does not mean impossible (as clarified in Lk 18:27) but rather something that presents a severe spiritual hurdle, akin to navigating a narrow, winding path. It suggests that without divine intervention, humanly it is beyond one's capability.
• for those who have riches (οἱ τὰ χρήματα ἔχοντες, hoi ta chrēmata echontes): "Chrēmata" refers to possessions, property, wealth, or money. The phrase refers not to wealth as inherently evil, but to possessing it in a way that creates dependence and a spiritual barrier. The issue is often the trust placed in wealth, or the desire for it, which displaces trust in God. Wealth creates an illusion of security and self-sufficiency, making one less inclined to rely solely on God for their identity and provision.
• to enter the kingdom of God!' (εἰσελεύσονται τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ θεοῦ, eiseleusontai tēn basileian tou theou): "Entering the Kingdom of God" refers to receiving God's salvation, living under His reign, and partaking in His spiritual blessings now, as well as experiencing the consummated Kingdom in eternity. For the rich ruler, his possessions were the impediment preventing this full entry, as they hindered the required surrender, repentance, and singular allegiance to Jesus as Lord.

Luke 18 24 Bonus section

This statement from Jesus served as a stark re-evaluation for his disciples and listeners. They, like many in that era, likely considered wealth a blessing that paved the way for righteousness and divine favor. Jesus’ words radically invert this assumption, identifying wealth as a profound obstacle to true spiritual progression for many. This challenges systems where spiritual authority or status is conflated with material success. The follow-up conversation in Lk 18:25-27, where Jesus speaks of a camel passing through a needle's eye and affirms "What is impossible with man is possible with God," crucially softens the implication from "impossible" to "extremely difficult, but possible through divine enablement." It emphasizes that humanly, relying on riches blocks entry, but divinely, through God's grace and transformation of heart, all things are possible, including a rich person renouncing their primary trust in wealth for trust in God. This teaching also anticipates the actions of early Christians like Barnabas (Acts 4:36-37), who sold property, and figures like Zacchaeus (Lk 19:8-9), whose encounter with Jesus led to a reordering of his priorities regarding his wealth.

Luke 18 24 Commentary

Following the poignant scene of the rich ruler choosing his vast wealth over following Jesus, Luke 18:24 articulates a foundational truth about spiritual allegiance. Jesus, seeing the man’s profound sorrow – a sorrow born from an inability to let go of what he truly treasured – utters a statement that would have been startling in his cultural context: it is exceedingly difficult for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God. This challenges the popular ancient Near Eastern notion that material prosperity was a definitive sign of divine blessing and guaranteed favor. Jesus redefines what it means to be truly blessed by God.

The difficulty lies not in the mere possession of riches, but in the spiritual grip riches often exert on the human heart. Wealth can foster a deceptive sense of self-sufficiency, independence from God, and an attachment that becomes idolatry, serving as a rival master to God (Mt 6:24). The temptation to trust in "uncertain riches" rather than in "the living God" (1 Tim 6:17) is a formidable spiritual barrier. Such attachment makes one unwilling to fully surrender to Christ's call for radical discipleship, which often involves detachment from worldly comforts and reliance on God alone. This statement highlights that true spiritual wealth comes from seeking God's Kingdom above all else, even above what is perceived as a life's security.