Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said, “Who then can be saved?” 26 Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” 27 Then Peter said to him in reply, “We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?” 28 Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.
After the rich young man was reluctant to give up his possessions to follow Jesus (Mt. 19:16-22), Jesus made a statement that highlighted that wealth could create obstacles that could prevent one from entering the Kingdom of Heaven. Wealth can hinder one’s ability to rely fully on God (Mt. 6:24). The exaggerated metaphor of a "camel" passing through the "eye of a needle" vividly illustrates the extreme difficulty faced by the wealthy in entering the Kingdom of God. This exaggerated image was used to underscore the challenge rather than suggest a literal impossibility.
The disciples were shocked because common Jewish belief was that wealth was a sign of divine favor. If the wealthy, believed to be blessed by God, might find it difficult to be saved, “who then can be saved?” Jesus told them that all things are possible through divine power. Salvation is ultimately a gift from God and cannot be achieved by human efforts alone.
The twelve had sacrificed everything to follow Jesus. They had accepted the invitation the rich man had refused (Mt. 4:20, 22), and in despair, wondered if they would be saved. For their sacrifice, Jesus promised the disciples leadership roles in the restored Israel, the twelve tribes of Israel whom Jesus had come to gather (Mt. 10:6), and in the Kingdom of God. Disciples who have made great sacrifices “for the sake of my name”, will receive a hundred times more in terms of blessings, both material and spiritual, in this world and will inherit eternal life (Lk. 22:28-30). They will share in Christ’s glory and be given the authority to participate in the final judgment, overseeing and judging the twelve tribes of Israel and those who did not accept Christ. Those who follow Christ with their whole heart will reap great rewards when they are resurrected.
The values of the Kingdom of God are often contrary to those of the world. The principle that "many who are first will be last, and the last will be first" emphasizes that the Kingdom of God operates on principles that often contrast with worldly values, where true greatness is defined by humility and service rather than social status or material success. Those who appear to be first in this world may find themselves last spiritually.
Almighty God, grant us the grace to seek Your Kingdom above all else and to use our blessings in service to others. Help us to trust in Your power and embrace the values of humility and generosity. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
References
- McSorley, Joseph. An Outline History of the Church by Centuries (From St. Peter to Pius XII). 2nd ed., B. Herder Book Co., 1944.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
- Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
- Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
- Charpentier, Etienne. How to Read the Old Testament. Translated by John Bowden, 1981.
- Komonchak, Joseph, et al., editors. The New Dictionary of Theology.
- McKenzie, John. Dictionary of the Bible. Collier Books, 1965.
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