Matthew 19:26Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The disciples though poor are troubled for the salvation of others, beginning even now to have the bowels of doctors.

The Lord instructs us to assess the act of salvation not through human frailty but through the might of God. When an individual steers clear of selfishness, divine assistance will first aid them in removing excess, eventually guiding them to share with the poor and those in need. Thus, with God's guidance, they will be directed steadfastly toward the Kingdom of Heaven.

Whereas the rich are few in comparison of the multitude of the poor, we must suppose that the disciples understood all who wish for riches, as included in the number of the rich.

Because riches once gained are hard to be despised, He saith not it is impossible, but it is hard. Difficulty does not imply the impossibility, but points out the infrequency of the occurrence.

Initially, he alleviated their troubled minds with a kind gaze, and then he declared that salvation is unattainable for those who are wealthy. Ensnared by the chains of greed, they cannot liberate themselves from its grasp through their own efforts; however, God not only has the power to save them, but also to accomplish all things. Thus, He will bring about their salvation if they earnestly seek to share their riches with the needy, overcome their desire for wealth, and invoke Him as their supporter and protector of true freedom. This entire discourse underscores that a greedy individual cannot attain salvation unless they have God's assistance in liberating them from this perilous vice, coupled with their own earnest efforts, as stated.

To have riches is no sin; but moderation is to be observed in our havings. For how shall we communicate to the necessities of the saints, if we have not out of what we may communicate?

Or, by the rich man He intends any one who is proud, by the camel he denotes the right humility. The camel passed through the needle’s eye, when our Redeemer through the narrow way of suffering entered in to the taking upon Him death; for that passion was as a needle which pricked the body with pain. But the camel enters the needle’s eye easier than the rich man enters the kingdom of heaven; because if He had not first shewn us by His passion the form of His humility, our proud stiffness would never have bent itself to His lowliness.

But though there be a difference between having and loving riches, yet it is safer neither to have nor to love them.

Whence in Mark the Lord expounding the meaning of this saying, speaks thus, It is hard for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of heaven (Mark 10:24.) They trust in riches, who build all their hopes on them.

Human effort is largely inadequate on its own. It is essential for individuals to confront their own nature, that is, their inherent sinfulness. We may easily and willingly follow our inclinations toward evil, yet we are incapable of resisting and overcoming it by our own strength. Just as a ship can navigate downstream effortlessly, it cannot sail upstream against the current and wind without a skilled helmsman. Similarly, our fallen nature can sin with ease, but we cannot combat and overcome sin on our own. Therefore, it is crucial to seek assistance and strength from the Conqueror of death and hell, Jesus Christ, who 'will give strength to His people' (Psalm 28:11). Consequently, we must turn to God for aid in our endeavors, as He invites us to ask and assures us of His provision: 'Ask, and it will be given to you' (Matthew 7:7).

The Christ's divine gaze, directed towards His disciples, accompanied by His life-affirming words, dispelled their confusion and astonishment. The Lord teaches that what is beyond human capability is achievable through the power of God. Just as a poor man cannot rely solely on his own might for salvation, neither can a wealthy individual; salvation comes through the guidance and assistance of His sovereign hand.

And JESUS gazed upon them, calming their troubled spirits with His serene and compassionate demeanor. He highlighted God’s omnipotence, stating, ‘What is impossible for mankind can be accomplished by God. Humanity cannot conquer its desires through mere willpower, but God can bestow upon him His abundant mercy, which will redirect his heart from the entrapments of worldly pleasures and material wealth. For one who is ensnared by riches, serving them as a servant, salvation seems unattainable; yet, he who masters his wealth and dedicates it to God's glory, serving as a steward of the Almighty, will find salvation, though not without struggle, given human frailty and the multitude of temptations. St.

After the young man left, the Lord spoke to His disciples about the difficulty a wealthy person faces in entering the kingdom of heaven. By "wealth," He referred not just to money and possessions but to anything that individuals value, aside from God. The disciples, interpreting His words literally, wondered aloud, "Who then can be saved, if earthly attachments exclude one from the kingdom of God?" The Lord responded that what is impossible for humans is possible with God. Though humans cannot alone free themselves from all attachments, they can do so through divine grace. Each disciple reflected on their own situation; they felt they had already given much up for the Lord—departing from family, home, and belongings. Yet, simultaneously, they sensed they had not yet achieved the purity and detachment that the Lord expects. They were left to ponder their own fate. Would their experience mirror that of the young man?

As the young man left, Jesus, casting a glance around to highlight His message, proclaimed, “How hard it is for those who possess wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” The disciples were taken aback by His declaration. However, Jesus reiterated His statement, albeit with a modification that illuminated the challenge faced by the wealthy in gaining entry into God’s kingdom: “How hard it is for those who place their trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!” He supplemented His teaching with a saying, “It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter

Jesus taught that the only individuals who are excluded from the kingdom of heaven, or who cannot belong to the kingdom of God, are those wealthy individuals who are deeply attached to their riches with the full strength of their souls. Because of their greed, they fail to recognize the truth of God; thus, these individuals can only attain salvation through Divine intervention. At times, a trial from God, a family crisis, or another form of suffering may lead these presumptuous wealthy individuals to contemplate the limitations of their riches and the emptiness of their existence. If, in their despair over their inability to be saved through their wealth, they turn away from their idol and seek God's help, then salvation becomes a possibility for them.

"Having looked up," as noted in Eu. Mark (Mark 10:27), highlights a distinctive aspect of the Lord's response; He lifted His gaze. With a gentle and reassuring sight, He alleviated their fears and dispelled their confusion. The Evangelist underscores this with the phrase "having looked up."

"It is impossible for men" refers to the salvation of the rich man; it emphasizes that no one can achieve this through their own efforts alone. Humanity lacks the power to attain salvation by its means, yet God, being all-powerful, makes all things possible (Luke 1:37). His gracious and redemptive mercy can accomplish what individuals cannot achieve through their own strength.

The instructor of divine wisdom, with a gentle and serene look, soothed their troubled thoughts and clarified their uncertainties, guiding them to assess salvation not through human frailty, but through the omnipotence of God. He remarked, “With man, this is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible,” underscoring that what seems unfeasible for humanity can be accomplished by Him.