Charles Ellicott Commentary Mark 10:24

"And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!" — Mark 10:24 (ASV)

How hard is it for them that trust in riches.—The words have the appearance of limiting, and so softening, the apparent sternness of the previous utterance. There is, however, good reason to think, as they are missing from the best manuscripts, that they were added by someone who sought to tone down the words of warning to what seemed a more moderate interpretation. Omitting these doubtful words, the sentence reads, “How hard is it to enter into the kingdom of God!”—hard for both rich and poor, though, as the words that follow show, it was hardest for the rich.