Luke 18 27

Luke 18:27 kjv

And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

Luke 18:27 nkjv

But He said, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God."

Luke 18:27 niv

Jesus replied, "What is impossible with man is possible with God."

Luke 18:27 esv

But he said, "What is impossible with man is possible with God."

Luke 18:27 nlt

He replied, "What is impossible for people is possible with God."

Luke 18 verses

Luke 18 27 Meaning

Luke 18:27 asserts that what is utterly beyond human capability or achievement, especially regarding salvation and entrance into the Kingdom of God, is entirely possible and within the power of God. It highlights divine omnipotence and grace as the sole source of enablement for that which is impossible through human effort, merit, or worldly possessions.

Luke 18 27 Context

Luke 18:27 comes at a pivotal moment immediately following the disheartening departure of the rich young ruler. Jesus had challenged the ruler to sell his possessions and follow Him, revealing the man's heart attachment to his wealth over discipleship (Lk 18:22-23). The disciples, deeply perplexed by Jesus' radical demand and the rich man's inability to comply, exclaim, "Then who can be saved?" (Lk 18:26). Their astonishment stemmed from the prevailing Jewish cultural belief that wealth was a sign of God's favor and blessing, suggesting that the rich, being blessed, should have easier access to the Kingdom.

Jesus' response in verse 27 directly addresses their confusion and redefines the pathway to salvation. It emphatically states that from a human perspective—whether one is rich or poor, mighty or weak, morally upright or otherwise—entering the Kingdom is an utter impossibility. Human effort, inherent goodness, social status, or accumulated merit are insufficient. This statement serves as a powerful theological corrective, dismantling any notion of human ability to earn or achieve salvation, redirecting the focus entirely to God's sovereign power and grace. It underscores that salvation is exclusively a divine work.

Luke 18 27 Word analysis

• But He said: Marks a definitive declaration by Jesus, serving as a contrast or counterpoint to the disciples' question and underlying assumptions about human capacity for salvation. "He" refers to Jesus, indicating His divine authority in providing this truth.

• The things which are impossible: The Greek term is ta adynata (τὰ ἀδύνατα).

  • Adynata (ἀδύνατα) means "things without power," "weak things," or "things impossible."
  • This isn't merely "difficult" but truly "impossible" or "powerless to achieve."
  • Significance: It directly refers to human beings' inability to enter God's Kingdom through their own efforts, morality, wealth, or perceived righteousness. It especially alludes to the challenge given to the rich young ruler and the subsequent universal question of salvation.

• with men: The Greek phrase is para anthrōpois (παρὰ ἀνθρώποις).

  • Para (παρὰ) here denotes "by the side of," indicating something being "with" or "belonging to the sphere of."
  • Anthrōpois (ἀνθρώποις) is the dative plural of anthrōpos (ἄνθρωπος), meaning "man," "human being," "person."
  • Significance: This emphasizes that from the human standpoint, operating within human capacities and limitations, the act of securing salvation or truly entering God's Kingdom is beyond reach. It points to the insufficiency of human will, effort, or accumulated merits.

• are possible: The Greek term is dynata (δυνατά).

  • Dynata (δυνατά) means "able," "powerful," "possible," "mighty."
  • It speaks of inherent ability, strength, or power to accomplish something.
  • Significance: It highlights a complete reversal from the human sphere, introducing the limitless capability of another entity.

• with God: The Greek phrase is para tou Theou (παρὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ).

  • Para (παρὰ) functions similarly here, indicating "with" or "belonging to the sphere of" God's activity.
  • Theou (Θεοῦ) is the genitive of Theos (Θεός), meaning "God."
  • Significance: This attributes absolute, unrestrained power and ability to God. It posits that God, in His divine omnipotence and grace, can achieve what is utterly unattainable for humanity. This underscores that salvation is God's work, a gift of His grace.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "The things which are impossible with men": This phrase succinctly captures the comprehensive limitations of humanity. It isn't just one type of person (e.g., the rich) for whom it's impossible, but for "men" universally. It includes human righteousness, wisdom, strength, or wealth as means of earning God's favor or achieving spiritual regeneration. From the divine perspective, no human effort, no matter how earnest or virtuous, can bridge the gap created by sin or fully qualify for God's holy Kingdom.

• "are possible with God": This powerful declaration redirects the hope for salvation entirely to God. It underscores His absolute sovereignty, His boundless power, and His gracious initiative. This phrase implies a work of divine transformation and regeneration that only God can accomplish in a human heart. It offers hope where human reasoning saw only despair, shifting the foundation of salvation from human ability to divine omnipotence.

Luke 18 27 Bonus section

This verse fundamentally challenges human-centered views of religion and achievement. It's a direct counter-argument to any notion of "earning" salvation or qualifying oneself for God's favor. Jesus doesn't offer a workaround for the rich or a lesser standard; He asserts that the source of salvation is entirely external to humanity. It speaks volumes about the absolute necessity of God's grace and transforming power. The radical nature of the rich young ruler's command, followed by this statement, paints a vivid picture of what true discipleship requires—not human ability to shed all, but divine power to enable. This passage emphasizes that God alone can bridge the gap between sinful humanity and His holy Kingdom, demonstrating that saving faith and transformation are a supernatural work of God, not merely a natural outcome of human resolve or action.

Luke 18 27 Commentary

Luke 18:27 serves as the interpretive key to Jesus' entire discussion on salvation, following the encounter with the rich young ruler. It provides the divine answer to the disciples' despairing question, "Then who can be saved?" (v. 26). Jesus' statement does not diminish the difficulty of detachment from worldly things, particularly wealth, but radically shifts the entire paradigm of salvation from human effort to divine intervention.

The verse is an emphatic declaration of God's omnipotence and a strong affirmation of the doctrine of grace. It means that salvation is not merely difficult or improbable for humanity, but truly impossible on human terms. No amount of self-improvement, adherence to law, accumulation of merit, or inherent goodness can grant entrance into the Kingdom of God. The rich man could not save himself, and neither could anyone else.

However, Jesus immediately follows this impossible human reality with the liberating truth: "are possible with God." This means that what is impossible for a person—whether it be letting go of what they trust in, transforming their heart, or fulfilling God's perfect righteousness—is entirely possible for God. He can enable the rich to trust Him rather than their wealth, give a new heart to those hardened by sin, and empower the weak to follow Him fully. This promise speaks of regeneration (a new birth), transformation, and sanctification as a divine work initiated and completed by God's power. It offers profound hope: where humanity sees an insurmountable obstacle, God sees an opportunity for His power to be made perfect in human weakness.

Examples:

• A person deeply entangled in a life of chronic sin who experiences a profound spiritual conversion, demonstrating God's ability to change a heart beyond human means.
• Someone born into immense wealth, taught to trust in material security, who through faith finds complete reliance on Christ alone.