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.

Mark 10:27 (KJV)

Context

Jesus spoke these words immediately after His disciples expressed astonishment at His teaching about wealth and the kingdom of God. In the preceding verses, He told them how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom, using the striking picture of a camel going through the eye of a needle. The disciples, who had been raised to see wealth as a sign of divine favor, were amazed and asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them, perceiving their surprise and inner questioning, and gave the answer recorded in this verse.

Meaning

Jesus begins by acknowledging a hard truth: from a human standpoint, salvation—especially for the rich—is impossible. People cannot save themselves by their own effort, moral achievement, or religious devotion. Yet Jesus immediately sets human inability beside divine power: “but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” The Greek text emphasizes this contrast, using the word adynaton for “impossible” and dynata for “possible.” What is beyond human reach is fully within God’s power. This is not a general promise that God will do anything we ask, but a specific assurance that God can accomplish what humans cannot—including changing a rich person’s heart and detaching them from their wealth.

Biblical connections

The same saying appears in Matthew 19:26 and Luke 18:27, both in the same context of the disciples’ question about who can be saved. This repetition underscores its importance. The verse teaches that salvation is entirely a work of God’s grace and power, not a human achievement. It also implies that human inability is not a barrier to God’s purposes; what is impossible for man is possible for God.

Application

This verse calls believers to trust in God’s ability to do the impossible, both in salvation and in every situation that seems hopeless by human standards. When we face obstacles that appear insurmountable—whether in our own hearts, in the lives of loved ones, or in our circumstances—we can remember that God’s power is not limited by our limitations. We are not to rely solely on our own abilities or worldly resources, but to place our faith in God, knowing that He can overcome any barrier and accomplish what seems unattainable.

Reflection

Mark 10:27 invites us to surrender our own limitations and place our confidence in the One who can achieve the impossible. It reminds us that God’s power and authority extend to every aspect of creation. As believers, we can face seemingly insurmountable challenges with hope, not because we are capable, but because our God is. This verse encourages us to trust Him wholeheartedly, knowing that nothing is beyond His reach.