Matthew 19:25 - When the disciples heard it, they were exceedingly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”
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What does "Matthew 19:25" mean?
The verse "When the disciples heard it, they were exceedingly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”" (Matthew 19:25) comes in the context of a conversation Jesus had with a rich young man. To understand its meaning, you need to look at the preceding verses:
The Rich Young Ruler (Matthew 19:16-22): A rich young man asks Jesus what good thing he must do to have eternal life. Jesus tells him to keep the commandments, which the man claims he has done since his youth. Jesus then tells him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." However, the young man goes away sorrowful because he has great wealth.
Jesus' Commentary on Wealth (Matthew 19:23-24): After the young man leaves, Jesus tells his disciples, "Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."
Meaning of Matthew 19:25:
The disciples' astonishment and question, "Who then can be saved?" reflect the following:
1. Challenging Common Beliefs: In that time, wealth was often seen as a sign of God's favor. People likely believed that the wealthy were blessed and therefore closer to God. Jesus' statement that it is hard for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven, and his extreme imagery of the camel and the eye of the needle, completely upended this belief. If even the wealthy, whom people considered blessed, struggled to be saved, the disciples wondered about the salvation of everyone else.
2. Emphasis on Surrender and Dependence on God: Jesus was highlighting the difficulty of prioritizing God above worldly possessions and comfort. Wealth can create a sense of self-sufficiency and independence from God. True salvation requires a surrender of one's entire life, including material possessions, to God's will. If the attachment to wealth is a barrier, and many have this attachment, salvation seems nearly impossible by human effort alone.
3. Realization of the Depth of Commitment Required: The disciples were beginning to understand the radical nature of Jesus' call to discipleship. It wasn't just about following rules or performing certain actions; it required a fundamental reorientation of one's life and priorities. If it was so difficult to detach from material wealth, the disciples are pondering whether anyone can make such a big commitment.
Following Verse (Matthew 19:26):
It's important to note what Jesus says next: "Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”" This crucial statement clarifies that salvation is not something humans can achieve on their own merit or strength. It is ultimately God's work and grace that makes salvation possible.
In Summary:
Matthew 19:25 captures the disciples' shock at Jesus' teaching on wealth and salvation. They recognize the immense challenge of prioritizing God above material possessions and the implications this has for everyone's salvation. The verse serves as a setup for Jesus' important point that salvation is ultimately a gift of God's grace, making possible what is impossible for humans alone.
Matthew 19:25 - When the disciples heard it, they were exceedingly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”
What does "Matthew 19:25" mean?
The verse "When the disciples heard it, they were exceedingly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”" (Matthew 19:25) comes in the context of a conversation Jesus had with a rich young man. To understand its meaning, you need to look at the preceding verses:
The Rich Young Ruler (Matthew 19:16-22): A rich young man asks Jesus what good thing he must do to have eternal life. Jesus tells him to keep the commandments, which the man claims he has done since his youth. Jesus then tells him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." However, the young man goes away sorrowful because he has great wealth.
Jesus' Commentary on Wealth (Matthew 19:23-24): After the young man leaves, Jesus tells his disciples, "Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."
Meaning of Matthew 19:25:
The disciples' astonishment and question, "Who then can be saved?" reflect the following:
1. Challenging Common Beliefs: In that time, wealth was often seen as a sign of God's favor. People likely believed that the wealthy were blessed and therefore closer to God. Jesus' statement that it is hard for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven, and his extreme imagery of the camel and the eye of the needle, completely upended this belief. If even the wealthy, whom people considered blessed, struggled to be saved, the disciples wondered about the salvation of everyone else.
2. Emphasis on Surrender and Dependence on God: Jesus was highlighting the difficulty of prioritizing God above worldly possessions and comfort. Wealth can create a sense of self-sufficiency and independence from God. True salvation requires a surrender of one's entire life, including material possessions, to God's will. If the attachment to wealth is a barrier, and many have this attachment, salvation seems nearly impossible by human effort alone.
3. Realization of the Depth of Commitment Required: The disciples were beginning to understand the radical nature of Jesus' call to discipleship. It wasn't just about following rules or performing certain actions; it required a fundamental reorientation of one's life and priorities. If it was so difficult to detach from material wealth, the disciples are pondering whether anyone can make such a big commitment.
Following Verse (Matthew 19:26):
It's important to note what Jesus says next: "Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”" This crucial statement clarifies that salvation is not something humans can achieve on their own merit or strength. It is ultimately God's work and grace that makes salvation possible.
In Summary:
Matthew 19:25 captures the disciples' shock at Jesus' teaching on wealth and salvation. They recognize the immense challenge of prioritizing God above material possessions and the implications this has for everyone's salvation. The verse serves as a setup for Jesus' important point that salvation is ultimately a gift of God's grace, making possible what is impossible for humans alone.