Luke 18:27Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

It is far better to surrender everything, or at the very least, to share our blessings with the needy; this way, what once seemed impossible can become a reality. While it may appear unfeasible to attain salvation without total relinquishment, God’s mercy opens the door to salvation, even when only a fraction is given for genuine benefit.

In this regard, exercising caution is neither unnecessary nor fruitless, as it is written, “Charity exalts discernment.” Therefore, in every way and for all reasons, our shared Savior and Lord provides us with favor; to Him, and with Him, to God the Father, be glory and authority, along with the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.

However, with God's grace guiding, illuminating, bolstering, advancing, and safeguarding us, no one should despair of achieving what ‘the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ chose us in Him before the foundation of the world’; and He chose us ‘to be holy and blameless before Him in love’ (Eph. 1:3-4).

Each disciple reflected on their own situation: on one hand, they felt they had already made significant sacrifices for the Lord—leaving behind family, home, and belongings. Yet, on the other hand, they recognized their ongoing lack of the purity and detachment that the Lord desired from them. What should they anticipate? Would their fate align with that of the young man?

r the kingdom of God.’ The disciples remained astonished at the Lord's words and questioned Him, ‘Then who can be saved?’ Every individual grapples with various sinful inclinations and vices; indeed, worldly attachments can be even more insidious and damaging than an obsession with wealth. Consequently, if it is so challenging for a wealthy person to achieve salvation, who then can be redeemed? In response, Christ said, ‘With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.’ It is indeed difficult for anyone holding tightly to riches or worldly matters to find salvation, and challenging to break free from the chains of sin; such liberation is only attainable through the grace of God.

When the apostles heard the Lord's teaching concerning greed and the challenges faced by those who rely on their riches instead of focusing on God, they inquired, "Who then can be saved?" The Lord replied, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." This exchange reveals critical insights regarding salvation. We understand that the Lord calls upon humanity to recognize their insignificance compared to the perfection that is accessible to them, to grieve over their sins and hold themselves accountable, to determine to refrain from further wrongdoing, and to strive vigorously against temptation with the strength granted to them. Essentially, the Lord requires that, with God’s aid, individuals actively pursue the kingdom of heaven and prove themselves worthy of it. However, entering this kingdom is beyond human capacity.

What of a person who has repented and led a righteous life; how are they to be welcomed into the Kingdom? They remain a sinner, even if they have received forgiveness. A sinner—which, in truth, applies to all—can be absolved by a compassionate and gracious God, meaning they are not punished for their transgressions. Yet, forgiveness does not equal justification: the forgiven sinner still bears the weight of their past sins. How can such an individual be admitted into the heavenly kingdom that is reserved for the righteous? It is impossible for them to erase their previous wrongdoings; carrying this burden, they cannot enter into the kingdom. Indeed, such a task is impossible for people; however, for God, nothing is beyond reach.

In the parable of the wedding feast, Christ illustrated that in order for the forgiven sinner to gain entry to the heavenly kingdom, they must don the robe of righteousness presented by the King. Only the King of heaven can accomplish this transformation. He alone can remove the garment of sin—representing the forgiven sinner’s past transgressions—and replace it with the garment of righteousness, which makes it as though those sins never existed. Christ, the King of Heaven, who by His sacrificial atonement on the cross bore the sins of all forgiven sinners, performs this act; thereby achieving what is impossible for man, but feasible for God.

He said, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” However, to guard against any potential arrogance arising from this remarkable promise, the Savior immediately cautioned them that they should not view their position as superior, for the kingdom of heaven operates on its own principles, stating, “many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

d by the righteous, yet for those driven by indulgence and earthly desires, it becomes an instrument of excessive luxury." The Lord's statements deeply affected the disciples; they were taken aback by the gravity of this teaching. He then reaffirmed His message with renewed intensity: "Children, how challenging it is for those who place their trust in riches to enter the Kingdom of God! It is easier for a large camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to access the Kingdom of God. The path leading to the Kingdom of Heaven is narrow, while wealth is expansive, burdensome, and unfit!" (St John Chrysostom). Employing a well-known proverb of the time, the Saviour illustrated the extreme difficulty, even the likelihood of impossibility, associated with such endeavors. The disciples, hearing this, were profoundly astonished and queried one another, "Who then can be saved?" Despite their own humble means, they expressed their bewilderment not for themselves, but for others, among whom it would be rare to find those devoid of faith. The Teacher of divine truth "with a gentle and calming gaze settled their troubled spirits and alleviated their confusion" (St John Chrysostom), "guiding them to understand salvation not through human frailty, but through the strength of God" (Blessed Theophylact). He continued, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible—and what is impossible for man is achievable through Him."