When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
All Commentaries on Matthew 19:25 Go To Matthew 19
John Chrysostom
AD 407
What He spoke was not condemning riches in themselves, but those who were enslaved by them; also encouraging His disciples that being poor they should not be ashamed by reason of their poverty.
Having said that it was hard for a rich man to eater into the kingdom of heaven, He now proceeds to show that it is impossible, “And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for arich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven.”.
The Gentile souls are likened to the deformed body of the camel, in which is seen the humpback of idolatry; for the knowledge of God is the exaltation of the soul. The needle is the Son of God, the fine point of which is His divinity, and the thicker part what He is according to His incarnation. But itis altogether straight and without turning; and through the womb of His passion, the Gentiles have entered into life eternal. By this needle is sewn the robe of immortality; it is this needle that has sewn the flesh to the spirit, that has joined together the Jews and the Gentiles, and coupled man in friendship with angels. It is easier therefore for the Gentiles to pass through the needle’s eye, than for the rich Jews to enter into the kingdom of heaven. For if the Gentiles are with such difficulty withdrawn from the irrational worship of idols, how much more hardly shall the Jews be withdrawn from the reasonable service of God?.
The disciples though poor are troubled for the salvation of others, beginning even now to have the bowels of doctors.
And this is not said that you should sit supinely, and let alone what may seem impossibilities; but considering the greatness of righteousness, you should strive to enter in with entreaty to God.
