Bible Strands
Matthew 19:23
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks to His disciples immediately after a wealthy young ruler departs in sorrow over his possessions. He addresses them directly in response to that departure.
The words — ἀμὴν (amēn) translates literally as "Amen" or "truly," functioning as a solemn declaration. εἶπεν (eipen) means "said," marking a deliberate, authoritative statement rather than a casual remark.
The thread — The difficulty of wealth for spiritual entry appears in Mark 10:23 and is paralleled by the thorns choking the word in Matthew 13:22. The warning against the desires that come from wanting to be rich extends to 1 Timothy 6:9.
Why it lands — The text states plainly that wealth creates a structural barrier to entering the kingdom of heaven. It asks a reader to examine whether material security is functioning as a rival allegiance.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Cross-references
- 1 Timothy 6:9 Those 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.
- Matthew 13:22 The seed sown among the thorns is the one who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
- Mark 10:23 Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”
- Luke 18:24 Seeing the man’s sadness, Jesus said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!
- James 5:1 Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you.
- Proverbs 11:28 He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like foliage.
- Proverbs 30:8 Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me. Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the bread that is my portion.
- Matthew 18:3 “Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
- John 3:3 Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”
- 1 Corinthians 1:26 Brothers, consider the time of your calling: Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were powerful; not many were of noble birth.