Matius 6:19-20

Lasting Treasure

6:19 “Do not accumulate for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth ¹  and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. 6:20 But accumulate for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.

Matius 13:22

13:22 The ²  seed sown among thorns is the person who hears the word, but worldly cares and the seductiveness of wealth ³  choke the word, ⁴  so it produces nothing.

Matius 19:23-24

19:23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, ⁵  it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven! 19:24 Again I say, ⁶  it is easier for a camel ⁷  to go through the eye of a needle ⁸  than for a rich person to enter into the kingdom of God.”

[6:19]  ¹ tn The term σής (shs) refers to moths in general. It is specifically the larvae of moths that destroy clothing by eating holes in it (L&N 4.49; BDAG 922 s.v.). See Jas 5:2, which mentions “moth-eaten” clothing.

[13:22]  ² tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

[13:22]  ³ tn Grk “the deceitfulness of riches.” Cf. BDAG 99 s.v. ἀπάτη 1, “the seduction which comes from wealth.”

[13:22]  ⁴ sn That is, their concern for spiritual things is crowded out by material things.

[19:23]  ⁵ tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”

[19:24]  ⁶ tn Grk “I say to you.”

[19:24]  ⁷ tc A few late witnesses (579 1424 pc) read κάμιλον (kamilon, “rope”) for κάμηλον (kamhlon, “camel”), either through accidental misreading of the text or intentionally so as to soften Jesus’ words.

[19:24]  ⁸ sn The eye of a needle refers to a sewing needle. (The gate in Jerusalem known as “The Needle’s Eye” was built during the middle ages and was not in existence in Jesus’ day.) Jesus was saying rhetorically that it is impossible for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom, unless God (v. 26) intervenes.