19:25a

When the disciples heard this: The word this refers to Jesus’ words of 19:23–24.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Hearing these/those words, the disciples
-or-
The disciples heard that and

they were greatly astonished: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as astonished means “amazed to the point of being overwhelmed.” In this context it is made even stronger by the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as greatly.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

they were completely amazed (Good News Translation)
-or-
they were greatly surprised (Contemporary English Version)

The Jews of that time thought that riches were an extra blessing from God. So the disciples were surprised that Jesus taught that riches made it hard for someone to enter the kingdom of God.

19:25b

Who then can be saved?: This is a rhetorical question. It has two functions: surprise and emphasis. The disciples used this question to express how surprised/astonished they were at Jesus’ comment in 19:26a. And Jesus’ response in 19:26b–c shows that he understood the disciples to emphatically imply “Then no one can be saved!”

Here are some other ways to translate this surprise and emphasis:

• As one or two rhetorical questions. For example:

Then who in the world can be saved? (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
What!? Then can anyone be saved?

• As an expression of surprise followed by an emphatic statement. For example:

What!? Then no one can be saved!

• As an emphatic statement. For example:

Then no one can be saved!

Translate this surprise and emphasis in a way that is natural in your language.

Who…can be saved: The word saved means “rescued from danger or trouble.” In this context, it refers to being saved from punishment and destruction. It means the same as “enter the kingdom of heaven/God” in 19:23–24 and “obtain eternal life” in 19:16b.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Who…can be saved ⌊from punishment⌋?
-or-
Who…can enter the kingdom of God?
-or-
Who…can get eternal life?

This is a passive clause. Here are some other ways to translate it:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

Who…can be saved?

• Use an active verb. For example:

Who…are the people who will get/receive salvation?
-or-
Who…can enter the kingdom?

See how you translated the word saved in 1:21c and 10:22b.

then: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as then introduces a conclusion based on what Jesus just said. Here it is not a time word.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

In that case
-or-
If that’s true

-or-

If it’s like that

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