New International VersionThen Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.
New Living TranslationThen Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
English Standard VersionAnd Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven.
Berean Standard BibleThen Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Berean Literal BibleAnd Jesus said His to disciples, "Truly I say to you that with difficulty a rich man will enter into the kingdom of the heavens.
King James BibleThen said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
New King James VersionThen Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
New American Standard BibleAnd Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I say to you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven.
NASB 1995And Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
NASB 1977And Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Legacy Standard BibleAnd Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Amplified BibleJesus said to His disciples, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, it is difficult for a rich man [who clings to possessions and status as security] to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Christian Standard BibleJesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Holman Christian Standard BibleThen Jesus said to His disciples, “I assure you: It will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven!
American Standard VersionAnd Jesus said unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, It is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Contemporary English VersionJesus said to his disciples, "I tell you, it's terribly hard for rich people to get into the kingdom of heaven!
English Revised VersionAnd Jesus said unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, It is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationJesus said to his disciples, "I can guarantee this truth: It will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Good News TranslationJesus then said to his disciples, "I assure you: it will be very hard for rich people to enter the Kingdom of heaven.
International Standard VersionThen Jesus told his disciples, "I tell all of you with certainty, it will be hard for a rich person to get into the kingdom from heaven.
NET BibleThen Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven!
New Heart English BibleJesus said to his disciples, "Truly I say to you, it is difficult for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Webster's Bible TranslationThen said Jesus to his disciples, Verily I say to you, that a rich man shall with difficulty enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Weymouth New TestamentSo Jesus said to His disciples, "I solemnly tell you that it is with difficulty that a rich man will enter the Kingdom of the Heavens. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
World English BibleJesus said to his disciples, “Most certainly I say to you, a rich man will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven with difficulty. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I say to you that hardly will a rich man enter into the kingdom of the heavens;
Berean Literal BibleAnd Jesus said His to disciples, "Truly I say to you that with difficulty a rich man will enter into the kingdom of the heavens.
Young's Literal Translation and Jesus said to his disciples, 'Verily I say to you, that hardly shall a rich man enter into the reign of the heavens;
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd Jesus said to his disciples, Truly I say to you, That with difficulty shall a rich one come into the kingdom of the heavens. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThen Jesus said to his disciples: Amen, I say to you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Catholic Public Domain VersionThen Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, I say to you, that the wealthy shall enter with difficulty into the kingdom of heaven.
New American BibleThen Jesus said to his disciples, “Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.
New Revised Standard VersionThen Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleJesus then said to his disciples, Truly I say to you, It is difficult for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishBut Yeshua said to his disciples, “Amen, I say to you, that it is difficult for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentJesus said to his disciples: Verily I say to you, A rich man will with difficulty enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Godbey New TestamentAnd Jesus said to His disciples, Truly I say unto you, that a rich man will hardly enter into the kingdom of the heavens.
Haweis New Testament
Then Jesus said to his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That very difficultly shall a rich man enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Mace New Testament
then said Jesus to his disciples, I declare unto you, it will be difficult for a rich man to enter into the gospel kingdom.
Weymouth New Testament
So Jesus said to His disciples, "I solemnly tell you that it is with difficulty that a rich man will enter the Kingdom of the Heavens.
Worrell New Testament
And Jesus said to His disciples,"Verily I say to you, that with difficulty shall a rich man enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Worsley New Testament
Then said Jesus to his disciples,Verily I tell you, that a rich man shall with difficulty enter into the kingdom of heaven:
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Rich Young Man… 22When the young man heard this, he went away in sorrow, because he had great wealth. 23ThenJesussaidtoHisdisciples,“TrulyI tellyou,it is hard fora rich manto enterthekingdomofheaven.24Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”…
Cross References Mark 10:23-25Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” / And the disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! / It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
Luke 18:24-25Seeing the man’s sadness, Jesus said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! / Indeed, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
1 Timothy 6:9-10Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. / For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
James 5:1-3Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you. / Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. / Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days.
Proverbs 11:28He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like foliage.
Luke 6:24But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.
Revelation 3:17You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.
1 John 2:15-17Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. / For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. / The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.
Matthew 6:19-21Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Luke 12:15-21And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” / Then He told them a parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced an abundance. / So he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, since I have nowhere to store my crops?’ ...
Ecclesiastes 5:10-11He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied by income. This too is futile. / When good things increase, so do those who consume them; what then is the profit to the owner, except to behold them with his eyes?
Proverbs 23:4-5Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to restrain yourself. / When you glance at wealth, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.
Psalm 49:6-7They trust in their wealth and boast in their great riches. / No man can possibly redeem his brother or pay his ransom to God.
Jeremiah 9:23-24This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches. / But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice and righteousness on the earth—for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.
Ezekiel 7:19They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will seem unclean. Their silver and gold cannot save them in the day of the wrath of the LORD. They cannot satisfy their appetites or fill their stomachs with wealth, for it became the stumbling block that brought their iniquity.
Treasury of Scripture Then said Jesus to his disciples, Truly I say to you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. That. Matthew 13:22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. Deuteronomy 6:10-12 And it shall be, when the LORD thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not, … Deuteronomy 8:10-18 When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee… enter. Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceedthe righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 21:31 Whether of them twain did the will ofhis father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. Jump to Previous DifficultyDisciplesEnterHardHardlyHeavenHeavensJesusKingdomMoneyReignRichSolemnlyTruthVerilyJump to Next DifficultyDisciplesEnterHardHardlyHeavenHeavensJesusKingdomMoneyReignRichSolemnlyTruthVerilyMatthew 19 1.Jesus heals the sick;3.answers the Pharisees concerning divorce;10.shows when marriage is necessary;13.receives the little children;16.instructs the young man how to attain eternal life;20.and how to be perfect;23.tells his disciples how hard it is for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God;27.and promises reward to those who forsake all to follow him.Then Jesus said to His disciplesIn this passage, Jesus is addressing His disciples, indicating a teaching moment specifically for those who are following Him closely. The disciples were often privy to deeper insights and explanations of Jesus' teachings, which were sometimes given in parables to the larger crowds. This setting underscores the importance of the lesson being imparted, as it is meant for those who are committed to understanding and living out His teachings. Truly I tell you
The phrase "Truly I tell you" is a solemn affirmation used by Jesus to emphasize the truth and importance of what He is about to say. It is a way of underscoring the reliability and significance of His words. This phrase is often used by Jesus to introduce teachings that may be counterintuitive or challenging to the prevailing cultural norms and expectations. it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven
This statement challenges the common Jewish belief of the time that wealth was a sign of God's favor and blessing. In the cultural and historical context, wealth was often associated with righteousness and divine approval. However, Jesus turns this notion on its head by suggesting that wealth can be a hindrance to entering the kingdom of heaven. This teaching aligns with other scriptural warnings about the dangers of wealth, such as in1 Timothy 6:9-10, where the love of money is described as a root of all kinds of evil. The kingdom of heaven, a central theme in Jesus' teachings, refers to the reign and rule of God, both in the present spiritual sense and in the future eschatological fulfillment. Jesus' statement highlights the spiritual challenge that wealth can pose, as it may lead to self-reliance and a diminished sense of need for God. Persons / Places / Events 1. JesusThe central figure in this passage, Jesus is teaching His disciples about the challenges of wealth in relation to entering the Kingdom of Heaven. 2. DisciplesThe followers of Jesus who are present during this teaching. They are often depicted as learners who seek to understand Jesus' teachings. 3. Rich Young ManAlthough not directly mentioned in verse 23, the context of this passage follows the encounter with the rich young man who struggles with the idea of giving up his wealth to follow Jesus. 4. Kingdom of HeavenA central theme in Jesus' teachings, representing the reign and rule of God, both in the present and future. Teaching Points The Challenge of WealthWealth can create a false sense of security and self-sufficiency, making it difficult to rely on God fully. Spiritual PrioritiesJesus calls His followers to prioritize spiritual wealth over material wealth, emphasizing eternal values. Dependence on GodTrue entry into the Kingdom of Heaven requires a heart that depends on God rather than material possessions. Humility and SurrenderThe call to follow Jesus involves humility and the willingness to surrender personal wealth and ambitions. Eternal PerspectiveBelievers are encouraged to maintain an eternal perspective, focusing on treasures in heaven rather than earthly riches. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 19
Proverbs 10:15 depicts wealth as a “fortified city”—does this conflict with Jesus’ warnings about riches in the New Testament?
Matthew 20:1–16 – If God is perfectly just, why would He reward latecomers the same as those who worked all day?
Who was Joseph of Arimathea in the Bible?
What happens to the rich and poor after death?(23) Shall hardly enter.--The Greek adverb is somewhat stronger than the colloquial meaning of the English. Literally, shall not easily enter. The words imply not so much the mere difficulty as the painfulness of the process. Here, as elsewhere, the "kingdom of heaven" is not the state of happiness after death, but the spiritual life and the society of those in whom it is realised even upon earth. Into that kingdom those only can enter who become as little children, as in other things, so in their unconsciousness of the cares of wealth. Verses 23-30. - The dangers of riches and the blessings of self-denied. ( Mark 10:23-31; Luke 18:24-30.) Verse 23. - Then said Jesus. He derives an important lesson from the sad result of the above incident. St Luke connects it with what had just preceded: "When Jesus saw that he [the ruler] was very sorrowful, he said." It was a strange and most emphatic assertion, quite alien from general opinion and sentiment. A rich man shall hardly ( δυσκόλως, with difficulty) enter into the kingdom of heaven. Remembering that Christ had just invited the young ruler to range himself on his side and become his disciple, we see that the primary meaning of the term, "kingdom of heaven," here is the Christian Church, the society which Jesus came to establish. It was indeed difficult for a man wealthy, honoured, dignified, to strip himself of his riches and rank, and openly cast in his lot with the despised Jesus and his followers, voluntarily surrendering all that hitherto had made life beautiful and worth living. It is difficult for a rich man in any case to serve God acceptably, as Christ shows with reiterated emphasis.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek Thenδὲ(de)Conjunction
Strong's 1161:A primary particle; but, and, etc.JesusἸησοῦς(Iēsous)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424:Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.saidεἶπεν(eipen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036:Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.toτοῖς(tois)Article - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.Hisαὐτοῦ(autou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.disciples,μαθηταῖς(mathētais)Noun - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3101:A learner, disciple, pupil. From manthano; a learner, i.e. Pupil.“TrulyἈμὴν(Amēn)Hebrew Word
Strong's 281:Of Hebrew origin; properly, firm, i.e. trustworthy; adverbially, surely.I tellλέγω(legō)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3004:(a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.you,ὑμῖν(hymin)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.it is difficult forδυσκόλως(dyskolōs)Adverb
Strong's 1423:With difficulty, hardly. Adverb from duskolos; impracticably.a rich manπλούσιος(plousios)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4145:Rich, abounding in, wealthy; subst: a rich man. From ploutos; wealthy; figuratively, abounding with.to enterεἰσελεύσεται(eiseleusetai)Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1525:To go in, come in, enter. From eis and erchomai; to enter.theτὴν(tēn)Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.kingdomβασιλείαν(basileian)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 932:From basileus; properly, royalty, i.e. rule, or a realm.ofτῶν(tōn)Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.heaven.οὐρανῶν(ouranōn)Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3772:Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.
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NT Gospels: Matthew 19:23 Jesus said to his disciples Most certainly (Matt. Mat Mt) |
