Devine Scripture

Matthew 19:24

What does Matthew 19:24 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 19:24 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 19:24 means

Jesus intensified His teaching on the difficulty of the rich entering the kingdom of God, using a vivid and memorable hyperbole: 'It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.' This emphasized the human impossibility of such a feat. The image highlights the extreme difficulty for someone whose heart is tethered to worldly possessions to humble themselves and rely solely on God for salvation.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And again I say unto you, 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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And again I say to you, It is simpler for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a man with much money to go into the kingdom of God.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and again I say to you, it is easier for a camel through the eye of a needle to go, than for a rich man to enter into the reign of God.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And again I say to you: It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to enter a needle's eye than a rich man into the kingdom ofGod.

Context

Building on His earlier statement about the difficulty for the rich in verse 23, Jesus uses a powerful and memorable hyperbole. This vivid illustration further emphasizes the human impossibility of the rich entering the Kingdom of God, leading directly to the disciples' perplexed and astonished reaction in the next verse.

v.23And Jesus said unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, It is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven.

v.24This passage

v.25And when the disciples heard it, they were astonished exceedingly, saying, Who then can be saved?

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 5:44

    How can ye believe, who receive glory one of another, and the glory that cometh from the only God ye seek not?

  • Luke 18:25

    For it is easier for a camel to enter in through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

  • Jeremiah 13:23

    Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.

  • Mark 10:24

    And the disciples were amazed 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!

  • Matthew 23:24

    Ye blind guides, that strain out the gnat, and swallow the camel!

  • Matthew 19:26

    And Jesus looking upon them said to them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Matthew 19

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Matthew 19.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Matthew 19:24.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary