Another suggestion is that the eye of the needle is referring to a set of double doors into the city of Jerusalem. Because they take so much manpower to move, they are only opened when a loaded camel must pass through. Normal movement through the gate occurs through a smaller door cut into the larger one. Once again, there is not much support for this theory. We must, therefore, take the passage literally.
Salvation truly is a miracle.
After the parable Matthew and Mark describe the disciples as being astonished. Matthew also adds a part about the Son of man sitting on his throne with the disciples each seated on a throne judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Jesus gives a promise of the gift that they will find in God if they give up their selves. Life will be experienced in the full now, but this will only be a token of what will come later. If the followers of Christ were forced to give up their families or homes it would be encouraging to know that they would receive a blessing later.