Matthew 18:3

18:3 and said, “I tell you the truth, ¹  unless you turn around and become like little children, ²  you will never ³  enter the kingdom of heaven!

Matthew 19:23-24

19:23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, ⁴  it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven! 19:24 Again I say, ⁵  it is easier for a camel ⁶  to go through the eye of a needle ⁷  than for a rich person to enter into the kingdom of God.”

[18:3]  ¹ tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”

[18:3]  ² sn The point of the comparison become like little children has more to do with a child’s trusting spirit, as well as willingness to be dependent and receive from others, than any inherent humility the child might possess.

[18:3]  ³ tn The negation in Greek (οὐ μή, ou mh) is very strong here.

[19:23]  ⁴ tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”

[19:24]  ⁷ tn Grk “I say to you.”

[19:24]  ⁸ 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]  ⁹ 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.