What does Mark 10:23 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The case of this unbeliever had important significance for Jesus" believing disciples. Rather than being a preview of divine eternal blessing, wealth could be a barrier to obtaining it. Jesus did not envy the rich, as most of His contemporaries did. He pitied them. ^[1] Wealth does not exclude a person from the kingdom, but it gives him a handicap. [source][source]

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Context Summary

Wealth brings many temptations. It is not said that rich men cannot get through the gate, but they will have to stoop very low and be stripped of the love of wealth, though not necessarily of wealth itself. In Christ's kingdom to give all is to get all. The surrendered life needs no pity, for what it loses on the material side is more than compensated by its enormous spiritual gains, Mark 10:30-31. Perhaps the request of the two brethren was dictated rather by the desire to be near the Master than by ambition; but in any case there is only one price to be paid. We must know the fellowship of His sufferings, if we are to share His glory, 2 Timothy 2:11, etc. It is easy to say, "We are able;" but had they not experienced the day of Pentecost, these two aspirants had certainly failed, Philippians 4:13. If you are not called to suffer with Him, then serve. Service like Christ's will bring you near His throne, as will also a share in His suffering. With us as with Bartimaeus, obstacles and difficulties should not daunt, but rather incite to more eager prayers. Christ is ever saying to men-Courage! Only faith could make a blind man cast away his garment, but he knew that he would be able to find it again with the sight that Jesus would certainly bestow. [source]

Chapter Summary: Mark 10

¹  Jesus disputes with the Pharisees concerning divorce;
¹³  blesses the children that are brought unto him;
¹⁷  resolves a rich man how he may inherit everlasting life;
²³  tells his disciples of the danger of riches;
²⁸  promises rewards to those who forsake all for the gospel;
³²  foretells his death and resurrection;
³⁵  bids the two ambitious suitors to think rather of suffering with him;
⁴⁶  and restores to Bartimaeus his sight