What did Jesus mean by a camel going through the needle's eye?

[Chad]

Matthew 19:24 // 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

There are several different schools of thought on what Jesus was referring to in saying it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to gain eternal life (Matthew 19:24; Mark 10:25; Luke 18:25). The Persians expressed the concept of the impossible by saying it would be easier to put an elephant through the eye of a needle. The camel was a Jewish adaptation (the largest animal in Israel was a camel).

Some theorize that the needle Jesus was speaking of was the Needle Gate, supposedly a low and narrow after-hours entrance found in the wall surrounding Jerusalem. It was purposely small for security reasons, and a camel could only go through it by stripping off any saddles or packs and crawling through on its knees. The problem with this theory is there is no evidence such a gate ever existed. Beyond that, what sane camel driver would go through such contortions when larger gates were easily accessible?

Others claim that the word translated “camel” (Greek: kamelos) should actually be “cable” (Greek: kamilos). Then the verse would read that it is easier for a cable (or rope) to go through the eye of a needle. To believe this, however, brings up more problems than it solves, namely casting doubt on the inerrancy and inspiration of Scripture.

The most likely explanation is that Jesus was using hyperbole, a figure of speech that exaggerates for emphasis. Jesus used this technique at other times, referring to a “plank” in one’s eye (Matthew 7:3-5) and swallowing a camel (Matthew 23:24).

Jesus’ message is clear—it is impossible for anyone to be saved on his own merits. Since wealth was seen as proof of God’s approval, it was commonly taught by the rabbis that rich people were blessed by God and were, therefore, the most likely candidates for heaven. Jesus destroyed that notion, and along with it, the idea that anyone can earn eternal life. The disciples had the appropriate response to this startling statement. They were utterly amazed and asked, “Who then can be saved?” in the next verse. If the wealthy among them, which included the super-spiritual Pharisees and scribes, were unworthy of heaven, what hope was there for a poor man?

Jesus’ answer is the basis of the gospel: "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God" (Matthew 19:26). Men are saved through God’s gifts of grace, mercy, and faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Nothing we do earns salvation for us. It is the poor in spirit who inherit the kingdom of God (Matthew 5:3), those who recognize their spiritual poverty and their utter inability to do anything to justify themselves to a holy God. The rich man so often is blind to his spiritual poverty because he is proud of his accomplishments and has contented himself with his wealth. He is as likely to humble himself before God as a camel is to crawl through the eye of a needle.

Related Sermon: audio - Good, But Not Good Enough

What did Jesus mean when He said it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into heaven?

 

[Waggles]

The most likely explanation is that Jesus was using hyperbole, a figure of speech that exaggerates for emphasis.

Yes, agreed. The metaphor is pretty straightforward and to the point. Jesus is always economical in his use of words.
This warning comparison is also scriptural and consistent ...
The rich man shall lie down, but he shall not be gathered: he openeth his eyes, and he is not. Job 27:19
The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty. Proverbs 10:15
The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit. Proverbs 18:11
The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out. Proverbs 28:11
1Corinthians 1:26-29
For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
That no flesh should glory in his presence.
James 1:9-11
Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:
But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

 

[Bendito]

There are several different schools of thought on what Jesus was referring to in saying it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to gain eternal life (Matthew 19:24; Mark 10:25; Luke 18:25). The Persians expressed the concept of the impossible by saying it would be easier to put an elephant through the eye of a needle. The camel was a Jewish adaptation (the largest animal in Israel was a camel).

Some theorize that the needle Jesus was speaking of was the Needle Gate, supposedly a low and narrow after-hours entrance found in the wall surrounding Jerusalem. It was purposely small for security reasons, and a camel could only go through it by stripping off any saddles or packs and crawling through on its knees. The problem with this theory is there is no evidence such a gate ever existed. Beyond that, what sane camel driver would go through such contortions when larger gates were easily accessible?

Others claim that the word translated “camel” (Greek: kamelos) should actually be “cable” (Greek: kamilos). Then the verse would read that it is easier for a cable (or rope) to go through the eye of a needle. To believe this, however, brings up more problems than it solves, namely casting doubt on the inerrancy and inspiration of Scripture.

The most likely explanation is that Jesus was using hyperbole, a figure of speech that exaggerates for emphasis. Jesus used this technique at other times, referring to a “plank” in one’s eye (Matthew 7:3-5) and swallowing a camel (Matthew 23:24).

Jesus’ message is clear—it is impossible for anyone to be saved on his own merits. Since wealth was seen as proof of God’s approval, it was commonly taught by the rabbis that rich people were blessed by God and were, therefore, the most likely candidates for heaven. Jesus destroyed that notion, and along with it, the idea that anyone can earn eternal life. The disciples had the appropriate response to this startling statement. They were utterly amazed and asked, “Who then can be saved?” in the next verse. If the wealthy among them, which included the super-spiritual Pharisees and scribes, were unworthy of heaven, what hope was there for a poor man?

Jesus’ answer is the basis of the gospel: "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God" (Matthew 19:26). Men are saved through God’s gifts of grace, mercy, and faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Nothing we do earns salvation for us. It is the poor in spirit who inherit the kingdom of God (Matthew 5:3), those who recognize their spiritual poverty and their utter inability to do anything to justify themselves to a holy God. The rich man so often is blind to his spiritual poverty because he is proud of his accomplishments and has contented himself with his wealth. He is as likely to humble himself before God as a camel is to crawl through the eye of a needle.

Related Sermon: audio - Good, But Not Good Enough

What did Jesus mean when He said it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into heaven?

Hey Chad...I believe that you're right about the eye of the needle. You've done some fine research here....I was always taught that there was an actual gate where if one came to Jerusalem after the gates were locked he would have to strip the camel of its load, force it to it's knees and urge it through this tiny gate....That doesn't hold up because there is no mention of such a gate in all the history of Jerusalem. What you've found is most likely the correct picture. It would be very difficult to thread a rope through the eye of a needle...I'll leave that task to younger folks. LOL

The teaching of wealth being a sign of Gods blessing is correct. The Jews see blessing and cursing in a different way than we do....If its a nice thing, if it helps one out, good thing, a pleasant thing, its blessing. If its a bad thing and unpleasant its cursing. They look at it from the result thereof..If it leads to life or death. Wealth is part of the blessing, but its not the blessing, it's what one does with it. I think I'm starting to ramble...

 

[robaston]

Hey Chad...I believe that you're right about the eye of the needle. You've done some fine research here....I was always taught that there was an actual gate where if one came to Jerusalem after the gates were locked he would have to strip the camel of its load, force it to it's knees and urge it through this tiny gate....That doesn't hold up because there is no mention of such a gate in all the history of Jerusalem. What you've found is most likely the correct picture. It would be very difficult to thread a rope through the eye of a needle...I'll leave that task to younger folks. LOL

The teaching of wealth being a sign of Gods blessing is correct. The Jews see blessing and cursing in a different way than we do....If its a nice thing, if it helps one out, good thing, a pleasant thing, its blessing. If its a bad thing and unpleasant its cursing. They look at it from the result thereof..If it leads to life or death. Wealth is part of the blessing, but its not the blessing, it's what one does with it. I think I'm starting to ramble...

yes, you are rambling bendito but that is a blessing of the old...to others haha ( i am 55+)

 

[Bendito]

yes, you are rambling bendito but that is a blessing of the old...to others haha ( i am 55+)

Hmmm 55 hey? I'm uh ....uh..let's see here...One two three Hmmmm I'm either 67 or 76 Can't remember....I'll go for 67