Who Can be Saved?

The theme of the passage is in verse 9: "certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous". The Pharisee (V11-12) and the Ruler (18) fulfill that condemnation. They typify the corrupt religion of the Jews. The Disciples asked: "who then can be saved?" Jesus pivoted to God's ability to save, meaning whom He wills. God could have turned the ruler but He didn't. Jesus declared God to be sovereign in salvation.