Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 19:24

24 And again I say unto you, it is easier for a Camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Mark saith, Ch. 10.23. And Iesus looked round about, and said to his Disciples. How hardly shall they that have Riches enter into the Kingdom of God. And the Disciples were astonished at his Words, but Iesus answereth again, and saith unto them. Children! How hard is it for them that trust in Riches, to enter into the Kingdom of God? It is easier for a Camel to go through the Eye of a Needle, than for a Rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God. Luke saith, Ch. 18.24. And when Iesus saw that he was sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have Riches enter into the Kingdom of God? For it is easier for a Camel to go through a Needles Eye, than for a Rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God. Our Lord, seeing the young Man that came to him so briskly, with such a Zeal for his Soul, and appearing warmth of Desire, to be instructed in the right way to Heaven, and asking for a Task to be set him: First, what good thing he should do in Order to that end, then calling for more; when our Saviour had reckoned up some Commandements to be observed. What lack I yet, Saith he? Go away quite dampt and sorrowful, when our Saviour said not to him. Give thy Body to be burned, no nor yet, cut off a right Hand, or Foot, or pluck out a right Eye. Only part with some of thy Circumstances, Sell what thou hast and give to the Poor. A thing he might have done, and have been a Man still perfect; both as to his Essential, and Integral parts. He hence takes occasion to Discourse with his Disciples, the danger of Riches, and the ill influence they have upon mens Souls, with Relation to their Eternal Welfare. Luke and Mark say, he spake it by way of Question. How hardly? Matthew delivereth it as spoken positively. A Rich m[illegible: 1 letter]n shall hardly enter, &c. The Sense is the same, only the Interrogation seems to aggravate the Difficulty, and to fortifie the Affirmation, as much as to say, A Rich man shall very hardly enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. The Disciples were astonished at this (saith Mark) which made our Saviour say it over again, with a little Exposition. How hard is it for them that trust in Riches, to enter into the Kingdom of God? Which Exposition is so far from a Correction, or Abatement of the severity of his former Speech, that some Judge it rather a Confirmation of it, for he goes on with saying: It is easier for a Camel to go through the Eye of a Needle. But why should this astonish the Disciples, who had no reason upon this Account to Fear for themselves, who had forsaken all to follow Christ? Possibly, because it was so contrary to the common Opinion of the World, who did not only as in Malachys time, call the Proud Happy; but thought God had scarce any Favour for any but the Rich: In opposition to which Christ, Luk. 6.20.24. Blesseth the Poor, and pronounceth Woes to the Rich, as having received their Consolation. As to the Words themselves. The design of our Saviour in them, was not to condemn Riches, as in themselves Damnable; nor yet to deny Salvation to all Rich Persons: Our Lord knew, that Abraham, Isaac, Iacob, Iob, were all Rich Persons, and yet in Heaven, so was David and Solomon, &c. He also knew, that Riches are the Gifts of God, Good things, not in themselves Pernicious: His design was only to shew, That they are dangerous Temptations, Solliciting and entising our Hearts, into so great a Love of them, and Affection to them, as is not consistent with our Duty, with reference to God; and giving the Heart of Man such Advantages for the Lusts of Pride, Coveteousness, Ambition, Oppression, Luxury, (some or other, of which are Predominate in all Souls) that it is very hard for a Rich man, so far to deny himself, as to do what he must do, if ever he will be saved. For those words in Mark, Them that trust in Riche. I take them rather, to give the reason of the Difficulty, than to be an Abatement of what he had before said. For to trust in Riches, is to place an Happiness in them, to Promise our selves a security from them, so as to be careless of a further H[illegible: 1 letter]ppiness▪ Psal. 49.6. & 52.7. 1 Tim. 6.17. That which makes it so hard for a Rich man to be saved, is the Difficulty of having Riches, and not placing our Felicity in them, being secure; because of them, and having our Hearts cleave unto them, so as we cannot deny our selves in them, to obey any Command of God: And the suffering them to be Temptations to us, to Pride, Luxury, Ambition, Oppression, Contempt, and Despising of others, Coveteousness, &c. Upon these Accounts our Saviour goeth on and saith. It is easier for a Camel to go through the Eye of a Needle, than for a Rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God. Which doubtless was a Proverbial Expression in use, then amongst the Iews, to signifie a thing of great Difficulty, by terms importing impo[illegible: 1 letter]sibility: Or, else the Phrase may signifie an impossibility, without the extraordinary influence of Divine Grace, as our Saviour seemeth to expound it in the next Verses.