In this moment, the listeners are struck by the difficulty of achieving salvation through human means. They are responding to Jesus' teaching about the challenges that wealth and self-reliance can pose to entering the kingdom of God. The question "Who then can be saved?" highlights a universal concern about the nature of salvation and the human inability to achieve it through personal merit alone. This inquiry sets the stage for Jesus to reveal the transformative power of God's grace and mercy.
The listeners' question underscores the recognition that salvation is beyond human capability, pointing to the necessity of divine intervention. It emphasizes the need for humility and a shift from self-reliance to reliance on God. This passage reassures believers that salvation is a gift from God, attainable not through human effort, but through faith and trust in God's love and power. It encourages a deeper understanding of grace, inviting believers to embrace the hope and assurance that come from God's promise of salvation.