Mark 10:24-26

Mark 10:24-26. "And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?" The reasons why they were astonished seem to be twofold: (1.) This was contrary to the notions they had of the Messiah's kingdom, as a kingdom of great temporal wealth and glory. They wondered, therefore, how it should come to pass that riches should exclude men out of it; and (2.) It was very contrary to the notion they had been brought up in among the Jews, who had a high esteem of rich men. They were their scribes and others that were their great men, that were rich, were in highest esteem among them, and supposed to be highest in favor with God. As to the poorer, meaner sort of people, they were low in esteem. In comparison of these they thought none so likely to be advanced as those, and therefore when they hear that those are like to be excluded, they say, "Who then can be saved?" Wherefore Christ greatly contradicted the notions of the Jews in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, in representing a rich man and child of Abraham as going to hell, and not to Abraham's bosom, but seeing there, afar off, Lazarus, a poor stranger.

Mark 10:29-30