The words of Jesus in Luke 18:27, “What is impossible with man is possible with God,” stand as a beacon of hope and a declaration of divine power in a world often marked by human limitation. Spoken in the context of a rich young ruler’s struggle to surrender his wealth for the sake of eternal life, this verse encapsulates a profound truth about God’s sovereignty and His ability to transcend the boundaries of human impossibility. It invites believers to shift their perspective from the constraints of human effort to the limitless possibilities of divine intervention, calling them to trust in a God who accomplishes what no human strength can achieve.
The setting of this verse is critical to understanding its weight. Jesus had just encountered a young man who sought eternal life but walked away sorrowful, unable to part with his possessions. The disciples, witnessing this, were stunned when Jesus declared how difficult it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God, comparing it to a camel passing through the eye of a needle. Their shock reflected a common belief of the time: wealth was a sign of God’s blessing, and if the rich could not enter the kingdom, who could? Jesus’ response in Luke 18:27 is not a dismissal of their question but a reorientation of their thinking. Human effort, status, or resources cannot secure salvation or overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of God’s purposes. Yet, what is beyond human capacity is fully within God’s power.
This statement points to the heart of the gospel: salvation itself is an impossibility apart from God. The rich young ruler’s story illustrates the human condition—bound by attachments, sin, and self-reliance, unable to bridge the gap to eternal life. Whether it is the lure of wealth, the weight of pride, or the chains of any other sin, humanity cannot save itself. The disciples’ question, “Then who can be saved?” reflects this sobering reality. Jesus’ answer assures them that God’s power transcends human weakness. He is the God who makes a way where there is no way, who brings life from death, who opens the door to the kingdom for those who cannot enter on their own.
The phrase “with God” is the hinge on which this truth turns. It emphasizes relationship and reliance on divine power. God’s ability to do the impossible is not an abstract force but a personal reality, rooted in His character as the Creator who spoke the universe into being, the Redeemer who raised Jesus from the dead, and the Sustainer who upholds all things by His word. This is the God who parted the Red Sea, who brought water from a rock, who gave barren women children, and who delivered His people from exile. In the context of Luke 18, it is God who can transform a heart bound by wealth, soften a spirit hardened by sin, and draw the most unlikely into His kingdom.
The scope of “all things” in this verse is both comforting and challenging. It does not mean that God grants every human desire or overrides every obstacle according to our whims. Rather, it points to His ability to accomplish His purposes, particularly in the realm of salvation and spiritual transformation. The impossible task of entering the kingdom—whether for the rich young ruler, the disciples, or anyone else—is made possible through God’s grace. This extends beyond salvation to the broader work of His kingdom. God can heal broken relationships, restore shattered lives, and bring hope to situations that seem beyond repair. His power is not limited by human circumstances, societal barriers, or personal failings.
For believers, this verse calls for a posture of trust and surrender. The rich young ruler’s failure was not his wealth but his inability to release it to follow Jesus. His story serves as a mirror, prompting reflection on what might be holding one back from fully embracing God’s call. It could be fear, doubt, pride, or an attachment to worldly security. Luke 18:27 invites believers to lay these impossibilities at God’s feet, trusting that He can do what they cannot. This trust is not passive but active, expressed through obedience, prayer, and a willingness to follow wherever God leads, even when the path seems unattainable.
Practically, this truth reshapes how believers approach challenges. In personal struggles—whether financial hardship, illness, or relational conflict—Luke 18:27 offers hope that God can work beyond human limitations. It encourages perseverance in prayer, not as a means of manipulating outcomes, but as a way of aligning with God’s will and trusting His power to act. In the life of the church, this verse inspires boldness in mission. Evangelism, social justice, and community transformation often seem impossible in a world resistant to the gospel, but God’s power makes the unlikely possible. The early church, a small band of ordinary disciples, turned the world upside down because they trusted in the God for whom nothing is impossible.
The verse also fosters humility. Recognizing that what is impossible with man is possible with God strips away any illusion of self-sufficiency. It reminds believers that their strength, wisdom, and resources are inadequate apart from divine intervention. This humility drives dependence on God, fostering a life of prayer and reliance on the Holy Spirit. It also cultivates gratitude, as believers recognize that every step toward the kingdom—every heart changed, every need met, every barrier overcome—is a work of God’s grace.
The broader narrative of Luke’s Gospel reinforces this truth. From the announcement of Jesus’ birth to a virgin, to the healing of the sick, to the resurrection itself, Luke’s account is filled with examples of God doing what humanity cannot. The story of Zacchaeus, which follows soon after in Luke 19, illustrates this vividly: a wealthy tax collector, despised and unlikely, is transformed by Jesus’ grace and enters the kingdom. What was impossible for Zacchaeus—overcoming his greed and social isolation—became possible through God’s intervention. This pattern continues in the lives of believers today, as God works in and through His people to accomplish His redemptive purposes.
Ultimately, Luke 18:27 is a call to faith in a God whose power knows no limits. It invites believers to lift their eyes from their own insufficiencies to the One who can do all things. It challenges them to release their grip on what holds them back, to trust in God’s transformative power, and to step boldly into the life of the kingdom. Whether facing personal struggles, pursuing God’s mission, or seeking salvation itself, this verse assures believers that no obstacle is too great, no heart too hard, no situation too hopeless. With God, all things are possible—not because of human merit, but because of His boundless grace and sovereign power.