Matthew 19:25

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Matthew 19:25 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And when the disciples heard it, they were astonished exceedingly, saying, Who then can be saved?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And when the disciples heard it, they were astonished exceedingly, saying, Who then can be saved?
Matthew 19:25 — American Standard Version

Context — Matthew 19

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
25And when the disciples heard it, they were astonished exceedingly, saying, Who then can be saved?

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“When his disciples heard it. etc.] That is, the difficulty of a rich man’s entering into the kingdom of heaven, aggravated by the above proverbial expression, they were exceedingly amazed. They were surprised at his first words; but when he confirmed them by the proverb of a camel’s passing through the eye of a needle, they were, as Mark says, “astonished out of measure”: they did not imagine there was any difficulty of rich men coming into the kingdom of the Messiah, which they took to be a worldly one, and would be filled with rich men; for so they understood Christ; though he meant by the kingdom of heaven a spiritual kingdom, a Gospel church state here, or the heavenly glory, or both;…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“This account is found also in Mark 10:17-31; Luke 18:18-39. Matthew 19:16 One came - This was a young man, Matthew 19:20. He was a ruler (Luke); probably a ruler in a synagogue, or of the great council of the nation; a place to which he was chosen on account of his unblemished character and promising talents. He came running (Mark); evincing great earnestness and anxiety, He fell upon his knees (Mark); not to worship him, but to pay the customary respectful salutation; exhibiting the highest regard for Jesus as an extraordinary religious teacher. Good Master - The word “good” here means, doubtless, most excellent; referring not so much to the moral character of Jesus as to his character as a…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“His disciples were amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? - If rich men, with all their advantages, cannot? Who? A poor man; a peasant; a beggar: ten thousand of them, sooner than one that is rich. Matthew 19:26”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Who: Mat 24:22; Mar 13:20; Luk 13:23, Luk 13:24; Rom 10:13, Rom 11:5-7 Matthew 19:26”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification