Matthew 19:25

ἐξεπλήσσοντο σφόδρα : the severity of the Master's doctrine on wealth as on divorce (Matthew 19:12) was more than the disciples could bear. It took their breath away, so to speak. τίς ἄρα, etc.: it seemed to them to raise the question as to the possibility of salvation generally. The question may represent the cumulative effect of the austere teaching of the Master since the day of Caesarea. The imperfect tense of ἐξεπλήσσοντο may point to a continuous mood, culminating at that moment.