Nothing bars the entrance to the kingdom so effectively as self-trust and pride in one’s attainments (illustrate from Paul in Phil 3). So we read now as a counterpoint to the above incident how people fail to make it into God’s kingdom. The story in these verses is the exact opposite of the one in which the children are blessed; and as is clear, the disciples show up in a poor light once more. A rich man came running—an unusual feature, since few people ran under
Mark 10:17–27