When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”
Parallel translations
- WEB When the disciples heard it, they were exceedingly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”
- KJV When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
- NKJV When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”
- NASB When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, “Then who can be saved?”
- NLT The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The astonished disciples ask who then can be saved. Their question shows they grasped that salvation is beyond human ability.
Overview
Because the disciples shared the common assumption that wealth signaled God's blessing, Jesus' words shocked them—if the rich struggle, what hope is there for anyone? Their question reveals a dawning recognition that no one can save themselves. This sets up Jesus' answer that salvation rests entirely on God's power and grace.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- Rom 10:13for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
- Matt 24:22If those days had not been cut short, nobody would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, those days will be cut short.
- Luke 13:23–24“Lord,” someone asked Him, “will only a few people be saved?” Jesus answered,
- Mark 13:20If the Lord had not cut short those days, nobody would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom He has chosen, He has cut them short.
- Rom 11:5–7In the same way, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 19:25 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.