Meaning, commentary and cross references
Mark 10:27
“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.
NIV · New International Version
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
WEB · World English Bible
Jesus, looking at them, said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God, for all things are possible with God.”
What does Mark 10:27 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Mark 10:27
And Jesus, looking upon them,.... And by their countenances saw the surprise and anxiety of mind they were in, as well as by his omniscience, knew their private reasonings among themselves: saith, with men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible; even to reduce a camel to so small a size, as to go through the eye of a needle; and to work upon a rich man's heart, so as to take him off of his trust and confidence in his worldly riches, and bring him to a compliance with his will, and into his kingdom; and also to protect, and save his poor and mean followers, notwithstanding all the difficulties, dangers, and oppositions they meet with; See Gill on Matthew…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on Mark 10:17–31
(3.) Christ reconciled them to it, by referring it to the almighty power of God, to help even rich people over the difficulties that lie in the way of their salvation (Mar 10:27); He looked upon them, to engage their attention, and said, "With men it is impossible; rich people cannot by their own skill or resolution get over these difficulties, but the grace of God can do it, for with him all things are possible." If the righteous scarcely are saved, much more may we say so of the rich; and therefore when any get to heaven, they must give all the glory to God, who worketh in them both to will and to do. 2. The greatness of the salvation of those that have but a little of this world, and…
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on Mark 10:23–27
And Jesus, beholding them, said to them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. 23. And when Jesus had looked around, he said to his disciples, With what difficulty shall they who have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 24. And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus again replying, said to them, Children, how difficult is it for those who have confidence in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 25.
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Mark 10:24–30 (WEB)
24The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus answered again, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter into God’s Kingdom! 25It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.” 26They were exceedingly astonished, saying to him, “Then who can be saved?” 27Jesus, looking at them, said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God, for all things are possible with God.” 28Peter began to tell him, “Behold, we have left all and have followed you.” 29Jesus said, “Most certainly I tell you, there is no one who has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or land, for my sake, and for the sake of the Good News, 30but he will receive one hundred times more now in this time: houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land, with persecutions; and in the age to come eternal life.
Cross references
- Jeremiah 32:27
“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for me?
- Matthew 19:26
Looking at them, Jesus said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
- Job 42:2
“I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be restrained.
- Jeremiah 32:17
“Ah Lord GOD! Behold, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for you.
- Genesis 18:13–14
The LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Will I really bear a child when I am old?’
- Luke 1:37
For nothing spoken by God is impossible.”
- Luke 18:27
But he said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”
- Numbers 11:21–23
Moses said, “The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand men on foot; and you have said, ‘I will give them meat, that they may eat a whole month.’