Luke 18:24
And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
Original Language Analysis
Ἰδὼν
saw
G1492
Ἰδὼν
saw
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
1 of 20
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
αὐτὸν
that he
G846
αὐτὸν
that he
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 20
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
when Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
when Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
5 of 20
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
γενόμενον
was
G1096
γενόμενον
was
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
7 of 20
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
Πῶς
How
G4459
Πῶς
How
Strong's:
G4459
Word #:
9 of 20
an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect, how?); also as exclamation, how much!
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔχοντες
that have
G2192
ἔχοντες
that have
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
14 of 20
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
16 of 20
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βασιλείαν
the kingdom
G932
βασιλείαν
the kingdom
Strong's:
G932
Word #:
18 of 20
properly, royalty, i.e., (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)
Cross References
Proverbs 11:28He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.Proverbs 30:9Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.Psalms 10:3For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.
Historical Context
Jesus's statement shocked His disciples (v. 26) because conventional Judaism taught that wealth evidenced God's favor. The Abrahamic covenant promised material blessing (Genesis 12:2); Deuteronomy linked obedience to prosperity (28:1-14). But Jesus reveals wealth's spiritual danger: it deceives people into trusting themselves rather than God. The rich possess resources that seemingly eliminate dependence on divine provision, making childlike reception of the kingdom psychologically difficult.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does wealth make humble, dependent reception of God's kingdom psychologically difficult?
- How does Jesus's teaching reverse conventional assumptions about riches indicating divine favor?
- What forms of 'wealth'—resources, abilities, achievements—might create false self-sufficiency in your life?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!—Idōn auton perilypon genomenon (ἰδὼν αὐτὸν περίλυπον γενόμενον)—'seeing him become very sorrowful,' Jesus responds with sober warning. Pōs dyskolōs hoi ta chrēmata echontes eisporeuontai eis tēn basileian tou theou (πῶς δυσκόλως οἱ τὰ χρήματα ἔχοντες εἰσπορεύονται εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ θεοῦ)—'how difficult for those having riches to enter God's kingdom.'
Dyskolōs (δυσκόλως) means 'with difficulty,' 'hardly,' 'painfully.' Not impossible, but extremely difficult. Wealth creates false security, making humble dependence (childlike reception, tax collector's cry for mercy) psychologically difficult. The rich feel self-sufficient, able to solve problems with money, less aware of desperate need for grace. Wealth becomes functional savior, competing with Christ.