Mat 19:23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, Truly I say to you that a rich man will with great difficulty enter into the kingdom of Heaven.
Mat 19:24 And again I say to 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.
Mat 19:25 When His disciples heard, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
Mat 19:26 But Jesus looked on them and said to them, With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
Mat 19:27 Then answering Peter said to Him, Behold, we have forsaken all and have followed You. Therefore what shall we have?
Mat 19:28 And Jesus said to them, Truly I say to you that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration, when the Son of Man shall sit in the throne of His glory, you also shall sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Mat 19:29 And everyone who left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
Mat 19:30 But many who are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
Introduction
Jesus has just had the Visit from the Rich Young man who was troubled about Eternal Life. He was not satisfied in his soul. Riches can never satisfy the ache for God and assurance of eternity that is in all of us. After Jesus advises the young man to sell all he has and give to the poor and then to come and follow Him, the Rich young Man went away grieving. His god was his wealth.
Mat 19:23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, Truly I say to you that a rich man will with great difficulty enter into the kingdom of Heaven.
Notes
This whole conversation had troubled the disciples especially when the young man had gone away sorrowing and distressed. Most people see wealth as a wonderful blessing from God. Listen to Jesus summation of the situation
“Truly I say to you that a rich man will with great difficulty enter into the kingdom of Heaven.”
Wealth poses great problems for all but the Flippant. L.M. p.492
The Importance of Material posses has so gripped our generation that very few people can stand going without. Especially after living here in Australia during the “golden years”. Very few people comparatively have had nothing to eat and there are agencies catering for the homeless.
But that is another matter and the Lord is referring to the entrance into the Kingdom of heaven for the rich. Most rich rely on their riches and see themselves as self sufficient. Jesus saw this as a special temptation of the wealthy. he does not say the the rich cannot enter into the Kingdom of heaven. Wealth is a great stumbling block for those who wish to enter.
Mat 19:24 And again I say to 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.
Notes
“And again I say to you…” This is an addition to the Principle Truth He has just stated. The difficulties for a rich man in entering the Kingdom is an overwhelming thought. Jesus re-enforces what He has said by referring to a Camel, the biggest animal in Israel, going through an eye of a needle, the smallest aperture known at that time. Some try to explain this as a small gate in the wall of the city where a large animal had to bend low to go through. Apparently their is no proof that such a gate called the eye of the needle ever existed. L.M. p.493
Where people saw wealth as a sign of spiritual blessing Jesus saw it as a hindrance to spiritual progress.
A rich man has a very strong temptation to concentrate on his riches, to the detriment of his spiritual welfare. L.M. p. 493
Mat 19:25 When His disciples heard, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
Notes
The disciples were exceedingly amazed, They were opposed to Jesus on this subject following the common attitude that wealth is good and necessary in this life. They were EXCEEDINGLY ASTONISHED…….
They were saying, Who then can be saved?
This teaching of Jesus cut clean across what they believed and accepted. Only unusual characters like John the Baptist were holy despite their evident poverty.
If those men who had wealth as a sign of God's Blessing barely made it, Who then can be saved? What about us lesser mortals?
Mat 19:26 But Jesus looked on them and said to them, With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. WNT
With men this is impossible - God alone can take the love of the world out of the human heart. Therefore the salvation of the rich is represented as possible only to him: and indeed the words seem to intimate. Adam Clark
Mat 19:27 Then answering Peter said to Him, Behold, we have forsaken all and have followed You. Therefore what shall we have?
We have forsaken all - “A poor all,” says one, “a parcel of rotten nets.” No matter - they were their All, whether rotten or sound; besides, they were the all they got their bread by; and such an all as was quite sufficient for that purpose: and let it be observed, that that man forsakes much who reserves nothing to himself, and renounces all expectations from this world, taking God alone for his portion. See Mat_4:20.
To forsake all, without following Christ, is the virtue of a philosopher. To follow Christ in profession, without forsaking all, is the state of the generality of Christians. But to follow Christ and forsake all, is the perfection of a Christian.
What shall we have therefore? - Τι αρα εϚαι ημιν, What Reward shall we get? This Kypke proves to be the meaning of the words from some of the best Greek writers.
Mat 19:28 And Jesus said to them, Truly I say to you that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration, when the Son of Man shall sit in the throne of His glory, you also shall sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Notes
Verily I say unto you - Jesus in this verse declares the reward which they would have.
They were not to look for it now, but in a future period.
That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration - This word occurs but once elsewhere in the New Testament, Tit_3:5. It literally means a new birth, or being born again. Applied to man, it denotes the great change when the heart is renewed, or when the sinner begins to be a Christian. This is its meaning, clearly, in the passage referred to in Titus; but this meaning cannot be applied here. Christ was not born again, and in no proper sense could it be said that they had followed him in the new birth; but the word also means any great change, or a restoration of things to a former state or to a better state. In this sense it is probably used here. It refers to that great revolution - that restoration of order in the universe - that universal new birth which will occur when the dead shall rise, and all human things shall be changed, and a new order of things shall start up out of the ruins of the old, when the Son of man shall come to judgment. The passage, then, should be read, “Ye which have followed me shall, as a reward in the great day of the resurrection of the dead, and of forming the new and eternal order of things - the day of judgment, the regeneration - be signally honored and blessed.
When the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory - That is, to judge the world. “Throne of glory” means glorious throne or a splendid throne. It is not to be taken literally, but is used to denote his character as a king and judge, and to signify the great dignity and majesty which will be displayed by him. See Mat_24:30; Mat_26:64; Act_1:11; Act_17:31.
Sit upon twelve thrones - This is figurative. To sit on a throne denotes power and honor, and means here that they would be distinguished above others, and be more highly honored and rewarded.
Judging the twelve tribes of Israel - Jesus will be the Judge of quick and dead. He only is qualified for it, and the Father hath given all judgment to the Son, Joh_5:22. To be a judge denotes rank, authority, power. The ancient judges of Israel were people of distinguished courage, patriotism, honor, and valor. Barnes
Mat 19:29 And everyone who left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
Notes
Shall receive a hundredfold - Viz. in this life, in value, though perhaps not in kind; and in the world to come everlasting life. A glorious portion for a persevering believer! The fullness of Grace here, and the fullness of Glory hereafter! See on Mar_10:30 (note).A.C.
Mat 19:30 But many who are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.WNT
But many that are first shall be last,.... This may refer unto, or be occasioned by, either the young ruler; signifying that he, and others like him, who were superior in riches and honour, were first in this world, of the first rank and figure, should be the last in the world to come:
and the last shall be first; the apostles, who were last in this world, being poor, mean, and abject, should be the first in the other: or to the Scribes and Pharisees, who were in the chief place, and highest esteem, in the Jewish church, and yet least in the kingdom of heaven; when, on the other hand, the publicans and sinners, who were in the lowest class, and in least esteem, went first into it: or to the case of persecution, when some, who seem most forward to endure it at a distance, when it comes nearer, are most backward to it; whilst others, who were most fearful of it, and ready to shrink at the thoughts of it, most cheerfully bear it: or to the apostles themselves, one of which, who was now first, Judas, should be last; and the apostle Paul, who was last of all, as one born out of due time, should be first: or to Jews and Gentiles, intimating, that the Jews, who were first in outward privileges, would be rejected of God for their unbelief, and contempt of the Messiah; and the Gentiles, who were last called, should be first, or chief, in embracing the Messiah, professing his Gospel, and supporting his interest. This sentence is confirmed, and illustrated, by a parable, in the following chapter. J, Gill
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