As the young man turned away, Jesus said to His disciples, "How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God." These words astonished the 394 disciples. They had been taught to look upon the rich as the favorites of heaven; worldly power and riches they themselves hoped to receive in the Messiah's kingdom; if the rich were to fail of entering the kingdom, what hope could there be for the rest of men?

Da den unge mand vendte sig for at gå, sagde Jesus til disciplene: "Hvor er det dog vanskeligt for dem, der har rigdom, at komme ind i Guds rige!" Disse ord vakte forbavselse hos disciplene. De havde lært at betragte de rige som særligt begunstigede af Gud, de håbede selv at få verdslig magt og rigdom i Messias rige. Hvis de rige ikke skulle få adgang til riget, hvad håb var der så for alle andre mennesker?