John Calvin Commentary Matthew 19:26

"And Jesus looking upon [them] said to them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." — Matthew 19:26 (ASV)

With men this is impossible. Christ does not entirely free the minds of His disciples from all anxiety. It is fitting that they should perceive how difficult it is to ascend to heaven; first, so that they may direct all their efforts toward this goal, and next, so that, distrusting themselves, they may implore strength from heaven.

We see how great our laziness and carelessness are, and what the consequence would be if believers thought they had to walk at ease, for leisure, along a smooth and pleasant path.

This is why Christ does not lessen the danger—even though He perceives the terror it excited in His disciples—but rather increases it. For although He formerly said only that it was difficult, He now affirms it to be impossible.

Therefore, it is evident that those teachers are guilty of grave impropriety who are so afraid to speak harshly that they give indulgence to the laziness of the flesh.

On the contrary, they ought to follow the rule of Christ, who so regulates His style that, after people have been humbled within themselves, He teaches them to rely on the grace of God alone and, at the same time, stirs them to prayer.

In this way, the weakness of people is timely relieved, not by ascribing anything to them, but by stirring their minds to expect the grace of God.

This reply of Christ also refutes that widely embraced principle—which the Papists borrowed from Jerome—“Whoever shall say that it is impossible to keep the law, let him be accursed.” For Christ plainly declares that it is not possible for people to keep the way of salvation, except to the extent that the grace of God assists them.