Matius 19:14

19:14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not try to stop them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” ¹ 

Matius 19:23-24

19:23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, ²  it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven! 19:24 Again I say, ³  it is easier for a camel ⁴  to go through the eye of a needle ⁵  than for a rich person to enter into the kingdom of God.”

[19:14]  ¹ sn The kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. Children are a picture of those whose simple trust illustrates what faith is all about. The remark illustrates how everyone is important to God, even those whom others regard as insignificant.

[19:23]  ² tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”

[19:24]  ³ tn Grk “I say to you.”

[19:24]  ⁴ 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]  ⁵ 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.