Information Related to "The Eye of a Needle"
| Audio/Video |
What did Jesus Christ mean when He said, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God?
What did Jesus Christ mean when He said, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God" (Mark 10:25)? Although the scriptural context is clear-Jesus was warning His followers not to put their trust in riches-the question is puzzling. What exactly was Jesus saying?
Some have believed that the phrase "eye of the needle" refers to the name of a small gate into a city through which camels had to kneel to enter. A number of Bible resources show that this interpretation is incorrect. One representative resource says, "There is no archaeological or historical support for the common idea that the 'needle's eye' was a small pedestrian gate through the city wall" (Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 1995, "Tools of the Bible: Needle," p. 1266).
"Jesus' words in Matthew 19:24 (also Mark 10:25; Luke 18:25), that it is easier for a rich man to enter [the kingdom of] heaven than 'for a camel to go through the eye of a needle,' reflect an idea found in early rabbinic writing . . . The statement simply means that humanly speaking, this is an impossible thing. Only a divine miracle can make it possible" (ibid.).
It appears that Christ's words must be taken literally. Just as it is impossible for a camel to go through the tiny eye of a needle, it is equally impossible for those who trust in riches, instead of in God, to enter the Kingdom of God.
©1995-2022 United Church of God, an International AssociationRelated Information:
Sidebar to A Biblical Overview of Money and Wealth
Origin of article "The Eye of a Needle"
Keywords: eye of a needle rich
Money: