But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

MATTHEW 19:26KJV
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Matthew 19:26 (KJV)

What does Matthew 19:26 mean?

Matthew 19:26 means that while some things are impossible for people to accomplish by their own ability, nothing is beyond God’s power. Jesus is teaching that God can do what humans cannot, no matter how difficult or unlikely it seems.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to His disciples after a conversation about how hard it is for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. The disciples are amazed and wonder who can be saved. Jesus looks at them and explains that salvation is not something people can achieve on their own, but with God, all things are possible.

The Greek behind Matthew 19:26

  • ἄνθρωποι (anthrōpoi, G444): This word means “people” or “humans.” Jesus is emphasizing the limits of human ability compared to God.
  • ἀδύνατος (adynatos, G102): This word is translated as “impossible.” It carries the sense of something being powerless or unable to be done by human means.
  • δυνατός (dynatos, G1415): This word is translated as “possible.” It means something is powerful or able to be done, highlighting God’s unlimited ability.
  • θεός (theos, G2316): This is the word for “God.” The contrast is drawn between what humans cannot do and what God can do.

Why Matthew 19:26 matters

  • Matthew 19:26 clears up the misunderstanding that anyone can earn salvation or achieve the impossible by their own effort; Jesus points out that only God can do what people cannot.
  • This verse highlights the main point of the surrounding passage: entering God’s kingdom is not about human achievement, but about God’s power and grace.
  • By stating “with God all things are possible,” Jesus reassures the disciples that what seems hopeless from a human perspective is not hopeless with God.

Where else these words appear

“impossible” Greek G102 · used in 10 verses

  • Mark 10:27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.
  • Romans 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
  • Hebrews 6:18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

“beheld” Greek G1689 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
  • Mark 10:27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.
  • John 1:36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

“possible” Greek G1415 · used in 35 verses

  • Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
  • Acts 2:24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
  • Romans 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.