[26] And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” [27] Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”

(Mark 10:26-27 ESV)

The question begs itself here, saved from what?

When this passage is extracted from the context, the disciples questions and Jesus' answer takes on a different nuance. The context of this passage is when Jesus is approached by a "man" who falls to Jesus' feet and asks how he can "inherit" eternal life. Other versions of this story call him a "rich young ruler", or simply a "rich man". Jesus then goes about listing several of the commandments. (Interestingly enough Jesus leaves out the first commandment.) Having then replied that he has "guarded" or "kept" these commandments from his youth, the man pushes Jesus on this point.

Mark's reaction to Jesus is one of love. He then proceeds to tell the young man to give up his possessions to the poor and follow him. The young man walks away "disheartened" (in the ESV) Strong translates the word as: "made sorrowful, affect with sadness, cause grief, throw into sorrow, to grieve, offend, make one uneasy."

Jesus then says how hard it is for one who has riches to enter the kingdom of God. The disciples are amazed. He says it again. "It is easier for a camel to enter the eye of a needle than it is for them to enter the kingdom of God." (several interpretations are offered on the camel and needle- not enough space to address this- basically, it's hard, nigh on impossible.) And the disciples were even more amazed. The disciples had an understanding, having things can really get your heart. But Jesus' promise is really amazing. With man, it is impossible (impotent, without power or strength), but all things are possible with God.

Christ promises compensation both in this life and in the life to come. But it is not a prosperity gospel- it is also mixed in with persecutions (v. 30). The ESV commentary has this to say: "Material possessions can be a dangerous instrument for reinforcing self-sufficiency and independence from God."