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13 Then the people brought children to him so he would bless them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 Jesus, however, said, “Let the children pass and do not prevent them from coming to me, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as them.” 15 He blessed them and departed from there. 

16 A man came to him and said, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to have eternal life?” 17 He said to him, “Why do you ask me about goodness? There is only One who is good. If you want to enter into eternal life, keep the commandments.” 18 The man said to him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “Do not murder. Do not commit adultery. Do not steal. Do not bear false witness. 19 Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him, “I have kept all these. Is there anything I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell your possessions and give the money to the poor so you will have treasure in heaven. Then come follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this, he went away disturbed, for he had many possessions. 23 Jesus said to his disciples, “It is difficult for a rich man to enter into 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 a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were astonished and said, “Then who can be saved?” 26 Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.”

Comments

The brief scene in verses 13-15 reinforces Jesus' view of children and the childlike as the most important in the Kingdom of Heaven (cf. 18.1-11). Next, a rich young man comes to Jesus, wanting to know how to inherit eternal life. When he claims to have followed all the commandments, Jesus tells him to go and give his wealth away to the poor. It should be noted that in verse 18, when Jesus lists the commandments that the young man should be following, he omits the First Commandment. The implication is that the young man had allowed is wealth to become an idol, something he held to be more important than God. After the young man leaves disappointed, Jesus tells his disciples that it is difficult to impossible for the rich to enter the Kingdom of Heaven because of their attachment to their material wealth. This shocks the disciples, since in first century culture worldly success was often seen as evidence of divine blessing. When they ask who then can be saved, Jesus responds that no one can - without God’s help.