Luke 18:26 (KJV)

What does Luke 18:26 mean?

Luke 18:26 records the reaction of those listening to Jesus after He spoke about how difficult it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God. The listeners, surprised and concerned, ask, “Who then can be saved?”—wondering if anyone at all has hope of salvation.

In this scene, Jesus has just finished telling His disciples that it is very hard for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom, using the image of a camel going through the eye of a needle. The people who hear this, likely including both disciples and bystanders, respond with shock. Their question shows they assumed wealth was a sign of God’s favor, so if even the wealthy struggle to be saved, they wonder what hope remains for anyone.

The Greek behind Luke 18:26

• “be saved” (σωθῆναι, sōthēnai): This Greek word means to be rescued, delivered, or saved. In this context, it refers to being accepted by God or entering His kingdom, not just physical rescue. The listeners are asking about ultimate spiritual salvation.
• “Who” (τίς, tis): The Greek word here is open-ended, meaning anyone at all. The question is not just about the rich, but about whether anyone can be saved.

Why Luke 18:26 matters

• Luke 18:26 highlights the shock of Jesus’ teaching, showing that His words challenged common assumptions about wealth and God’s favor.
• The verse sets up Jesus’ following statement that what is impossible for people is possible with God, emphasizing God’s power and grace in salvation.
• This question from the listeners helps the reader see the seriousness of Jesus’ claim and the need to rethink who can be saved, not based on human standards but on God’s ability.