Matthew 19:23Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Christ is not passing judgment on wealth itself but rather on those who have a strong attachment to it. If it is challenging for a wealthy individual to enter the kingdom of heaven, what can be said regarding those who are greedy? If holding onto one’s possessions can hinder access to the kingdom, consider the severity of the fire that one who wrongfully takes the belongings of others ignites! Why did Christ express to His disciples that a rich man finds it difficult to enter the kingdom of heaven, especially when they themselves were poor and owned little? He wished to impart to them the lesson of not feeling ashamed of their lack and to explain His earlier advice regarding possessing nothing. By stating that entering the kingdom is troublesome for a wealthy man, He emphasizes that it is not simply difficult, but exceedingly difficult, which He illustrates with the analogy of a camel going through the eye of a needle.

The affluent individual cannot gain entry into the Kingdom of Heaven while remaining in comfort and abundance, especially when others are in need. However, once the wealthy person relinquishes all that he possesses and thus seeks the Kingdom of Heaven, he will not approach it as a man of wealth.

In this passage, the Lord refers to a camel not as a beast of burden but rather as a thick rope that sailors use to secure their anchors. This choice of wording is intentional, as it highlights to the overly particular individual that the issue at hand is, in some sense, quite near.

When He departed, the Lord remarked, ‘how hard it is for those who trust in their wealth’ (cf. Mk. 10:24), as they are convinced that personal gain and self-interest drive this issue. Their challenge lies in the fact that entrance to the kingdom of heaven requires the embracing of the cross. In what sense is this a struggle? It is a challenge for these individuals to access the Kingdom of Heaven solely through the gates designated for those who are complete and willing to carry their cross. Just as there are entrances for those who lead a chaste life, there are also ways for those engaged in worldly living to enter the Kingdom through their own paths; however, it remains difficult for them to pass through the gates designated for the pure of heart.

How did Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who were affluent, gain entry into the heavenly kingdom according to the Lord’s testimony in Genesis 13 and 36? Similarly, how did Matthew and Zacchaeus, as recounted in the Gospel, enter after parting with their wealth? It is important to observe that they had already relinquished their riches by the time they entered. Therefore, they did not enter the kingdom while still possessing their wealth. Although it is challenging to regard riches with disdain, the Lord did not claim that it is impossible for a wealthy individual to enter the kingdom of heaven; rather, He stated that it is difficult. In this context, the notion of difficulty suggests the absence of impossibility, highlighting only the challenge involved.

Entering the Kingdom is challenging for those who are wealthy; for those consumed by greed, it becomes entirely unattainable. If one who hoards his possessions faces condemnation, how much greater is the condemnation for the one who takes what belongs to others.

In this context, we refer to the affluent individual who perceives numerous opportunities and strengths for his advancement. However, if a wealthy person relinquishes all attachments to their possessions, abandons hope in them, and stops relying on them for support, then in their heart, they become like one who possesses nothing; for such a person, the path to the Kingdom is accessible. Thus, wealth does not serve as an obstacle but rather as a means to perform good deeds. The issue lies not in the wealth itself but in the reliance on it and the attachment to it. This concept can be encapsulated as follows: the source of true wealth lies in what one trusts and clings to.

The needle symbolizes the Word of God, identified as the Son of God Himself. Its point is both sharp and refined; refined due to His divine nature and sharp through His incarnation. The needle remains straight, without any bends or deviations. Through the wound of His suffering, the Gentiles have now been granted access to eternal life. This needle alone can mend wounds, as it repaired the garment of immortality that was torn by Adam. It has united flesh and spirit, and brought together Jews and Gentiles, about which the apostle states: "For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the barrier that stood in the midst," Eph. 2:14. This very needle has restored the fractured relationship between angels and humanity. It is the needle that pierces, yet does not inflict harm.

When Jesus observed that the young man had not understood the concept of spiritual completeness, He shifted His discourse to discuss more generally the salvation available to the affluent. He initially emphasized the challenges faced by the rich in attaining salvation, illustrating their difficulties through the metaphor of a needle’s eye and the great rope used by shipbuilders to secure anchors. This analogy heightened the sense of obstruction to the point of making it seem insurmountable. Indeed, it is easier for an anchor rope to fit through the eye of a large needle—provided the needle has a sufficiently wide opening—than for a wealthy individual to achieve salvation. This does not require a significant effort.

He surveyed the surroundings, seemingly beckoning others to take heed, and with the full authority of His Divine pronouncement, He highlighted the serious peril of greed: JESUS declared to His disciples, Truly I say to you, it is challenging for a wealthy individual to enter the kingdom of heaven. An obsession with wealth and material possessions transforms into a malady of the spirit, leaving an individual unfeeling, harsh, and prideful; it obscures vision and inhibits spiritual vitality. St. Basil the Great remarked, I know many who fast, pray, groan, and exhibit various forms of unfruitful piety, yet provide not a single coin to those in distress! What value do their other virtues hold? They will not be welcomed in the kingdom of God.

However, the pursuit of wealth frequently transforms into a fervent desire for more, stifling the voice of moral awareness and binding the will. In reference to the departing young man, Christ remarked to His Apostles, "How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter the Kingdom of God!" (Mk. 10:23).

"It is challenging for the wealthy," etc.: "With these remarks, Christ does not condemn wealth itself but rather those who become enslaved by it. The peril associated with riches regarding salvation or moral integrity does not stem from the riches themselves, but rather from the temptations and hindrances they pose to fulfilling God’s commandments and His divine will, particularly when one develops an attachment to them."