Matthew 19:25
New International Version
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”

New Living Translation
The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked.

English Standard Version
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”

Berean Standard Bible
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”

Berean Literal Bible
And the disciples having heard were exceedingly astonished, saying, "Who then is able to be saved?"

King James Bible
When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

New King James Version
When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”

New American Standard Bible
When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, “Then who can be saved?”

NASB 1995
When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, “Then who can be saved?”

NASB 1977
And when the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, “Then who can be saved?”

Legacy Standard Bible
And when the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, “Then who can be saved?”

Amplified Bible
When the disciples heard this, they were completely astonished and bewildered, saying, “Then who can be saved [from the wrath of God]?”

Christian Standard Bible
When the disciples heard this, they were utterly astonished and asked, “Then who can be saved? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When the disciples heard this, they were utterly astonished and asked, “Then who can be saved?”

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

Contemporary English Version
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly surprised and asked, "How can anyone ever be saved?"

English Revised Version
And when the disciples heard it, they were astonished exceedingly, saying, Who then can be saved?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He amazed his disciples more than ever when they heard this. "Then who can be saved?" they asked.

Good News Translation
When the disciples heard this, they were completely amazed. "Who, then, can be saved?" they asked.

International Standard Version
When the disciples heard this, they were completely astonished. "Who, then, can be saved?" they asked.

Majority Standard Bible
When His disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”

NET Bible
The disciples were greatly astonished when they heard this and said, "Then who can be saved?"

New Heart English Bible
When the disciples heard it, they were exceedingly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?"

Webster's Bible Translation
When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

Weymouth New Testament
These words utterly amazed the disciples, and they asked, "Who then can be saved?"

World English Bible
When the disciples heard it, they were exceedingly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And His disciples having heard, were exceedingly amazed, saying, “Who, then, is able to be saved?”

Berean Literal Bible
And the disciples having heard were exceedingly astonished, saying, "Who then is able to be saved?"

Young's Literal Translation
And his disciples having heard, were amazed exceedingly, saying, 'Who, then, is able to be saved?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And his disciples were greatly struck with amazement, saying, Who then can be saved?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when they had heard this, the disciples wondered very much, saying: Who then can be saved?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And upon hearing this, the disciples wondered greatly, saying: “Then who will be able to be saved?”

New American Bible
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and said, “Who then can be saved?”

New Revised Standard Version
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astounded and said, “Then who can be saved?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
When the disciples heard it, they were exceedingly astonished, saying, Who then can be saved?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But the disciples when they heard, they were greatly amazed and they were saying, “Who then can have life?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
When the disciples heard it, they were greatly amazed, and said: Who, then, can be saved?

Godbey New Testament
And the disciples hearing, were astonished exceedingly, saying, Who then is able to be saved?

Haweis New Testament
But when his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

Mace New Testament
when his disciples heard this, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, who then can be saved?

Weymouth New Testament
These words utterly amazed the disciples, and they asked, "Who then can be saved?"

Worrell New Testament
And the disciples, having heard it, were amazed exceedingly, saying, "Who, then, can be saved? "

Worsley New Testament
His disciples, when they heard this, were exceedingly struck, and said, Who then can be saved?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Rich Young Man
24Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 25When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” 26Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”…

Cross References
Mark 10:26
They were even more astonished and said to one another, “Who then can be saved?”

Luke 18:26
Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?”

Matthew 19:26
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Mark 10:27
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”

Luke 18:27
But Jesus said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”

Matthew 17:20
“Because you have so little faith,” He answered. “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Matthew 8:26
“You of little faith,” Jesus replied, “why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it was perfectly calm.

Matthew 14:31
Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?”

John 6:68-69
Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life. / We believe and know that You are the Holy One of God.”

Romans 8:31
What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

Genesis 18:14
Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you—in about a year—and Sarah will have a son.”

Numbers 11:23
The LORD answered Moses, “Is the LORD’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not My word will come to pass.”

Job 42:2
“I know that You can do all things and that no plan of Yours can be thwarted.

Jeremiah 32:17
“Oh, Lord GOD! You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You!


Treasury of Scripture

When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

Who.

Matthew 24:22
And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

Mark 13:20
And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.

Luke 13:23,24
Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, …

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Able Amazed Astonished Disciples Exceedingly Greatly Heard Hearing Salvation Saved Surprised Utterly Words
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Able Amazed Astonished Disciples Exceedingly Greatly Heard Hearing Salvation Saved Surprised Utterly Words
Matthew 19
1. Jesus heals the sick;
3. answers the Pharisees concerning divorce;
10. shows when marriage is necessary;
13. receives the little children;
16. instructs the young man how to attain eternal life;
20. and how to be perfect;
23. tells his disciples how hard it is for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God;
27. and promises reward to those who forsake all to follow him.














When the disciples heard this
The phrase indicates a moment of realization and reaction from the disciples. The Greek word for "heard" is "ἀκούσαντες" (akousantes), which implies not just hearing but understanding and processing the information. The disciples are responding to Jesus' teaching about the difficulty for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. This moment is pivotal as it shows the disciples grappling with the radical nature of Jesus' teachings, which often turned societal norms upside down. Historically, wealth was seen as a sign of God's favor, so the disciples' astonishment is understandable.

they were greatly astonished
The Greek word for "astonished" is "ἐξεπλήσσοντο" (exeplēssonto), which conveys a sense of being struck with amazement or overwhelmed. The disciples' reaction is not just mild surprise but a profound shock. This astonishment reflects the counter-cultural message of Jesus, challenging the prevailing Jewish belief that wealth was a sign of divine blessing. The disciples' amazement underscores the radical nature of Jesus' kingdom, which values spiritual richness over material wealth.

and asked
The act of asking here is significant. The Greek word "λέγοντες" (legontes) implies a dialogue or a seeking of understanding. The disciples are not just passively receiving information; they are actively engaging with Jesus' teachings. This reflects a model of discipleship that encourages questioning and seeking deeper understanding. It is a reminder that faith involves an active pursuit of truth and comprehension.

Who then can be saved?
This question is central to the passage and reflects a deep theological inquiry. The Greek word for "saved" is "σωθῆναι" (sōthēnai), which means to be delivered or preserved. The disciples are grappling with the concept of salvation, which is a core tenet of Christian theology. Their question reveals a common human concern about the criteria for salvation and the accessibility of God's grace. In the historical context, salvation was often linked to adherence to the law and religious rituals. Jesus' teachings, however, emphasize faith and the grace of God as the path to salvation, challenging the disciples to rethink their understanding of who can be saved.

(25) Who then can be saved?--There is an almost child-like na‹vete in the question thus asked by the disciples. They, whether among their own people or among strangers, had found the desire of wealth to be the universal passion. Even they themselves, when they had forsaken their earthly goods, had done so (as Peter's question showed but too plainly, Matthew 19:27) as with a far-sighted calculation. They were counting on outward riches in that kingdom as well as outward glory. And now they heard what seemed to them a sweeping condemnation, excluding all who possessed, and, by implication, all who sought after, riches from the kingdom. The feeling which thus showed itself in the disciples has, curiously enough, affected the text of the narrative in St. Mark. What seems an explanatory and softened statement, "How hardly shall they that trust in riches enter into the kingdom of God!" (Mark 10:24), is not found in the best MSS. The omission may have been an accidental error of the copyists, but it is scarcely probable; and its absence from St. Matthew and St. Luke, not less than that it is not our Lord's usual method to soften or explain His teaching, leads to the conclusion that a marginal note, added by some one who felt as the disciples felt, has here found its way into the text.

Verse 25. - Exceedingly amazed. The stern teaching of vers. 23 and 24 thoroughly dismayed and perhaps offended them. Temporal prosperity had in their Law been held forth as the reward of righteousness and obedience, a foretaste of future happiness. They must unlearn this principle. Here, as they understood it, was a doctrine novel, unheard of, unnatural! Fancy the astonishment that would be displayed nowadays if such a sentiment were solemnly propounded in the Stock Exchange, the bank, the market! The apostles could not minimize its import, or say that it might suit other days and other states of society, but was inapplicable to their age and nation. We can do this in the case of many seemingly stringent requirements of the gospel; but they accepted the announcement in its full and simple meaning, and asked in sorrowful wonder, Who then can be saved? If the way to heaven is barred to the rich man, how shall the poor pass therein? The difficulty seemed to apply to everybody. All who are not rich are hoping and struggling to become rich, and therefore fall under the same category. If the apostles thought not of themselves in this question, they were grieved at the reflection that, under the circumstances, the majority of mankind were recklessly endangering their eternal salvation. With their views of a temporal kingdom, the apostles probably were thinking of their own prospects.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
When
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

the
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

disciples
μαθηταὶ (mathētai)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3101: A learner, disciple, pupil. From manthano; a learner, i.e. Pupil.

heard this
Ἀκούσαντες (Akousantes)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.

{they were} greatly
σφόδρα (sphodra)
Adverb
Strong's 4970: Exceedingly, greatly, very much. Neuter plural of sphodros as adverb; vehemently, i.e. In a high degree, much.

astonished
ἐξεπλήσσοντο (exeplēssonto)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1605: To strike with panic or shock; I amaze, astonish. From ek and plesso; to strike with astonishment.

[and] asked,
λέγοντες (legontes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

“Who
Τίς (Tis)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

then
ἄρα (ara)
Conjunction
Strong's 686: Then, therefore, since. Probably from airo; a particle denoting an inference more or less decisive.

can
δύναται (dynatai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.

be saved?”
σωθῆναι (sōthēnai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive
Strong's 4982: To save, heal, preserve, rescue. From a primary sos; to save, i.e. Deliver or protect.


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