The camel and the eye of the needle, Hebrew NT Application - Biblical Hebrew 'The camel and the eye of the needle', Matthew 19:24, Mark 10:25, Luke 18:25 Just where is that gate in Jerusalem? "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." (Matthew 19:24) For the last two centuries it has been common teaching in Sunday School that there is a gate in Jerusalem called the eye of the needle through which a camel could not pass unless it stooped and first had all its baggage first removed. After dark, when the main gates were shut, travellers or merchants would have to use this smaller gate, through which the camel could only enter unencumbered and crawling on its knees! Great sermon material, with the parallels of coming to God on our knees without all our baggage. A lovely story and an excellent parable for preaching but unfortunately unfounded!

From at least the 15th century, and possibly as early as the 9th but not earlier, this story has been put forth, however, there is no evidence for such a gate, nor record of reprimand of the architect who may have forgotten to make a gate big enough for the camel and rider to pass through unhindered. Variations on this theme include that of ancient inns having small entrances to thwart thieves, or the story of an old mountain pass known as the "eye of the needle", so narrow that merchants would have to dismount from their camels and were thus easier prey for brigands lying in wait. Mangled Greek maybe? There are some differences in the transmitted Greek. The needle in Matthew and Mark is a rafic. In Luke it is a belone. But both are synonyms for needles used in sewing, but Luke's is more likely to be used by a surgeon than a seamstress. Another possible solution comes from the possibility of a Greek misprint. The suggestion is that the Greek word kamilos ('camel') should really be kamï¿½los, meaning 'cable, rope', as some late New Testament manuscripts 1 actually have here.

Hence it is easier to thread a needle with a rope rather than a strand of cotton than for a rich man to enter the kingdom. A neat but unnecessary solution! A variation on all of the above is that the needle was a 6 inch carpet needle and the rope was made of camel hair- but this is again clutching at straws or camel hair, and is an unnecessary emendation. Makes sense in Aramaic An alternative linguistic explanation is taken from George M Lamsa's Syriac-Aramaic Peshitta translation 2 which has the word 'rope' in the main text but a footnote on Matthew 19:24 which states that the Aramaic word gamla means rope and camel, possibly because the ropes were made from camel hair. Evidence for this also comes from the 10th century Aramaic lexicographer Mar Bahlul who gives the meaning as a "a large rope used to bind ships". (cf. ) Some have even suggested a pun in Aramaic between camel and gnat or louse from the Aramaic kalma 'vermin, louse'.

Just as the apocryphal Acts of Peter and Andrew 3 refers the saying to a literal camel and needle, so we are not meant to reason away the apparent difficulty of getting a camel through a needle's eye. For the difficulty is not apparent it is real, and not be solved by textual trickery but by taking the ludicrous language at face value. What we have instead then, I believe, is a beautiful Hebrew hyperbole, as in the tree sticking out of one's eye whilst one is removing a speck in another's eye! Indeed, Jewish Talmudic literature uses a similar aphorism about an elephant passing through the eye of a needle as a figure of speech implying the unlikely or impossible: "They do not show a man a palm tree of gold, nor an elephant going through the eye of a needle." 4 This first instance concerned dreams and their interpretation and suggested that men only dream that which is natural or possible, not that which is unlikely ever to have occurred to them. "ï¿½ who can make an elephant pass through the eye of a needle." 5 In this case, the illustration concerns a dispute between two rabbis, one of whom suggests that the other is speaking "things which are impossible".

The camel was the largest animal seen regularly in Israel, whereas in regions where the Babylonian Talmud was written, the elephant was the biggest animal. Thus the aphorism is culturally translated from a camel to an elephant in regions outside of Israel. The aim is not, then, to explain away the paradox and make the needle a huge carpet needle for, elsewhere, the Jewish writings use the "eye of the needle" as a picture of a very small place, "A needle's eye is not too narrow for two friends, but the world is not wide enough for two enemies." 6 . The ludicrous contrast between the small size of the needle's eye and the largest indigenous animal is to be preserved for its very improbability. Jesus' hearers believed that wealth and prosperity were a sign of God's blessing (cf. Leviticus and Deuteronomy). So their incredulity is more along the lines that, "if the rich, who must be seen as righteous by God by dint of their evident blessing, can't be saved, who can be?".

Later Christians have turned this around to portray wealth as a hindrance to salvation, which it can be ï¿½ but no more so than many other things, when the message is that salvation is impossible for all men for it comes from God alone. But beyond impossibility is possibility with God for, elsewhere, a Jewish midrash records: "The Holy One said, open for me a door as big as a needle's eye and I will open for you a door through which may enter tents and [camels?]" 7 In other words God only needs the sinner to open up just a crack for him and God will come pouring in and set up room for an oasis. God only needs a 'foot in the door', so to speak. This is similar to the Talmudic use of two Hebrew letters, one which represents God holiness ('Q' Qoph, as in qadï¿½sh 'holy') and another representing evil ('R' Resh, as in ra' 'evil'), in a story told for the purpose of teaching the Hebrew alphabet and Jewish morals.

It is said that 'q' has a separated opening in order that should 'r' repent he may enter into God's holiness through the small opening. A brief survey of sermons or search on the Internet reveals how many perpetuate the myth of the small gate in Jerusalem. Victorian travellers to the Holy Land even claim to have been shown it. The inaccuracy may appear harmless but it is neither good scholarship nor good exposition. The exaggerated and contrasted size is deliberate and is not an overt judgement on riches or poverty. Jesus reflects on how hard it often is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God. The riches are a distraction and hard to share if one is too attached to them. The disciples' incredulity is that if even the rich cannot be saved, who can? But the verdict is that even the rich, not only the rich, will find it impossible to save themselves ï¿½ but with God all things are possible. Notes Mainly 11th century or later, and in one 9th/10th century manuscript, however all early manuscripts and quotations in the church fathers from the 3rd through to the 8th centuries have 'camel' not 'rope'.

The New Testament according to the Eastern Text, George M Lamsa, 1940, p.xxiv and note on Matthew 19:24. "13 There was a rich man named Onesiphorus who said: If I believe, shall I be able to do wonders? Andrew said: Yes, if you forsake your wife and all your possessions. He was angry and put his garment about Andrew's neck and began to beat him, saying: You are a wizard, why should I do so? 14 Peter saw it and told him to leave off. He said: I see you are wiser than he. What do you say? Peter said: I tell you this: it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. Onesiphorus was yet more angry and took his garment off Andrew's neck and cast it on Peter's and haled him along, saying: You are worse than the other. If you show me this sign, I and the whole city will believe but if not you shall be punished.

15 Peter was troubled and stood and prayed: Lord, help us at this hour, for thou hast entrapped us by thy words. 16 The Saviour appeared in the form of a boy of twelve years, wearing a linen garment 'smooth within and without', and said; Fear not: let the needle and the camel be brought. There was a huckster in the town who had been converted by Philip; and he heard of it, and looked for a needle with a large eye, but Peter said: Nothing is impossible with God rather bring a needle with a small eye. 17 When it was brought, Peter saw a camel coming and stuck the needle in the ground and cried: In the name of Jesus Christ crucified under Pontius Pilate I command thee, camel, to go through the eye of the needle. The eye opened like a gate and the camel passed through; and yet again, at Peter's bidding. 18 Onesiphorus said: You are a great sorcerer: but I shall not believe unless I may send for a needle and a camel. And he said secretly to a servant: Bring a camel and a needle, and find a defiled woman and some swine's flesh and bring them too.

And Peter heard it in the spirit and said: O slow to believe, bring your camel and woman and needle and flesh. 19 When they were brought Peter stuck the needle in the ground, with the flesh, the woman was on the camel. He commanded it as before, and the camel went through, and back again. 20 Onesiphorus cried out, convinced and said: Listen. I have lands and vineyards and 27 litrae of gold and 50 of silver, and many slaves: I will give my goods to the poor and free my slaves if I may do a wonders like you. Peter said: If you believe, you shall. 21 Yet he was afraid he might not be able, because he was not baptized, but a voice came: Let him do what he will. So Onesiphorus stood before the needle and camel and commanded it to go through and it went as far as the neck and stopped. And he asked why.

'Because you are not yet baptized.' He was content, and the apostles went to his house, and 1,000 souls were baptized that night." (Acts of Peter and Andrew vv.14-21, The Apocryphal New Testament, M R James, Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1924, p459). Babylonian Talmud, Berakoth, 55b Babylonian Talmud, Baba Mezi'a, 38b Source not traced but cf. Midrash Rabbah, Genesis 1.3 Midrash Rabbah, The Song of Songs, 5.3; cf. Pesiqta R., 15, ed. Friedmann, p.70a; Soncino Zohar, Vayikra 3, p95a More material like this can be found in our bible course "The Difficult Sayings of Jesus" and Hebrew Unit N , Hebrew in the New Testament.

The Camel and the Needle's Eye The Camel and the Needle's Eye Robert Sheaffer Many fundamentalists seek to explain away the obvious hostility to wealth in the saying attributed to Jesus, "It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God" (Matthew 19:24). Fundamentalists today constantly tell each other that the "eye of the needle" was a narrow gate into Jerusalem through which a camel could just barely squeeze, implying that even rich people can get into Heaven, provided that they walk a straight and narrow path. While believing this no doubt lowers the cognitive dissonance they suffer between the resentment against wealth that is integral to the Christian religion they revere, and their own desire to achieve, it is nonetheless a silly legend, like the alligators in the sewers. The Jerome Biblical Commentary is a standard reference work found in many libraries, written by Catholic scholars.

Its commentary on Matthew 19:24 states bluntly, "the figure of the camel and the eye of the needle means exactly what is said; it does not refer to a cable or a small gate of Jerusalem." The Abingdon Interpreter's Bible is a major reference work compiled by Protestant scholars, and its analysis of this passage is in full agreement. Unfortunately for the fundamentalists, the concensus of New Testament scholars is that Matthew's passage barring rich people from heaven means exactly what it says. It remains to be seen how many of them are willing to give up all their wealth in accordance with the ideals they claim to profess. 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? 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?

Subscribe to our Question of the Week : Question: "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?" Answer: 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.

Eye of a Needle The Eye of a Needle Many visitors to this site come seeking an understanding of what Yeshua (Jesus) meant when He said, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God" ( MARK 10:25). The following is what I have found as the answer. There are at least four possible explanations for what Yeshua said. One, that "eye of a needle" was a narrow mountain pass of which it was difficult for a camel to go through. That explanation is plausible but not very likely there being no known pass by that name in that part of the world. Another explanation is given by EW Bullinger in his Companion Bible. He wrote, "...the eye of the needle, a small door fixed in a gate and opened after dark. To pass through, the camel must be unloaded. Hence the difficulty of the rich man. He must be unloaded, and hence the proverb, common in the East. In Palestine the "camel"; in the Babylonian Talmud it is the elephant". Manners and Customs of the Bible by James Freeman gives a similar explanation.

This second explanation seems reasonable except for a couple of things. First, at the time of Yeshua's quote, He was on the coast of Judaea and was near no city gates. One might expect that when Yeshua made reference to something in His teaching, He pointed to it as His illustration. When He said one might wither a fig tree or cast a mountain into the sea ( MATHEW 21:21), He very likely pointed at the fig tree and at mount Olivet and then at the sea. When He said that Solomon was not arrayed like one of these lilies, He probably pointed at the flower for the comparison. If He was standing alongside a city gate as He made this statement about a camel entering through the eye of a needle, Bullinger's suggestion might seem more likely, but not as much so if He was walking along the sea coast. In addition to this, the New Bible Dictionary says concerning the existence of these gates, that "there is no historical evidence to support this".

The context of His teaching does not place Him around camels or city gates, and with "no historical evidence to support" the idea that He was indeed referring to a camel going through a city gate, it seems to me quite a stretch to assume Bullinger is right. A third suggestion of the meaning of a camel going through the eye of a needle is given by Abraham Mitrie Rihbany in his book The Syrian Christ. On pages 131-132 quoted below, he comments on the idea of the eye of the needle being a city gate. The saying [about a camel going through the eye of a needle] is current in the East, and in all probability it was a common saying there long before the advent of Christ. But I never knew that small door in a city or a castle gate to be called the needle's eye; nor indeed the large gate to be called the needle. The name of that door, in the common speech of the country, is the "plum," and I am certain the Scriptural passage makes no reference to it whatever. The Koran makes use of this expression in one of its purest classical Arabic passages.

The term employed here- sum-el-khiat- can mean only the sewing instrument, and nothing else. So, it would appear that although the gates may of existed, they were not called "needle's eyes". Mr. Rihbany suggests that Yeshua was simply speaking figuratively, as when He said "Ye blind guides, which strain at [out] a gnat and swallow a camel" (MATTHEW 23:24). Perhaps this is so, and without the final explanation given below, it sounds most plausible. Lastly however, is the explanation which seems the most likely. Most Christians realize that the Gospels weren't originally written in English. Some think they were written in Latin, most believe they were first written in Greek. Very possibly though, some if not all were written in the language of Yeshua and His followers, Aramaic. This language was all but forgotten until about a hundred years ago, which is why few students are familiar with it. Dr. George Lamsa, who has written extensively about the language and in his book entitled Gospel Light clarifies for us the probable meaning of Yeshua's words concerning the eye of a needle. I will quote from page 167.

"The Aramaic word gamla means camel, a large rope and a beam. The meaning of the word is determined by its context. If the word riding or burden occurs then gamla means a camel, but when the eye of a needle is mentioned gamla more correctly means a rope. There is no connection anywhere in Aramaic speech or literature between camel and needle, but there is a definite connection between rope and needle." Most English versions of the Gospels came from Greek texts by translators who may have known nothing about Aramaic. Thus "camel" would have been translated instead of "rope". It takes little effort to imagine Yeshua, while walking along the sea coast, pointing to a rope and saying, "It is easier for a camel [a gamla, a rope] to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God". One final note of information should be passed along to the reader. In his book Judaism in the First Three Centuries of the Christian Era, George Foot Moore shares the following from ancient Jewish beliefs. God encourages and assists every movement of man's heart towards him.

The words of the lover in the Song of Songs (5,2), 'Open to me, my sister,' are thus applied: God says, "Open to me an entrance no larger than the eye of a needle, and I will open to you an entrance through which tents and great timbers can pass." Now let us venture beyond which was actually spoken by the Lord. Let us consider, in the context, what our Lord was meaning by His illustration. His context has to do with entering the kingdom of GOD. In the previous chapter He had warned that "if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire". Then a few verses before the one we are studying, He said, "Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein". We all know the eagerness and excitement children have for learning. What parent hasn't tired of hearing their child ask, "but why"?

If we are to discover that hidden kingdom of GOD, we also must not only remove from us anything that may offend, but also we must with childlike meekness ask to receive answers and knock so as to have doors opened unto us. As we continue reading the record in Mark's gospel we come to our verse in question. A wealthy man had come to Yeshua seeking what he must do to "inherit eternal life". After hearing Yeshua's response, Mark wrote that the man "was sad at that saying, and went away grieved". He was sad and he was grieved because Yeshua's response was not the answer he had hoped for. He didn't realize that greater wealth then he had ever dreamed of could be his if he accepted Yeshua's answer. This man was as the seed sown amongst thorns. He was acquainted with accumulating "great possessions" but he was not acquainted with laying up "treasure in heaven". He may have known "the commandments" but he didn't know the Word of GOD. It is interesting that before Yeshua gave him his answer, the Scripture says that Yeshua "loved him". That is always why the word is sown.

That is why the word is sent. But too often it is rejected. Yeshua wasn't desiring to deprive this rich man of his wealth. Yeshua was showing him the way into the kingdom of GOD. Yeshua was offering him treasures vastly superior to any that moth and rust could corrupt. Thus, three times, as if trying to drive the point home to His disciples, Yeshua said, "How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God...how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God...It is easier for a camel [rope] to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God". For Yeshua to declare this warning three times, speaks loudly to those who have ears to hear. The desire for riches is not to be underestimated in its ability to deceive and divert one from the narrow way that leads unto life. Many people living in the Bible lands at the time when the Gospels were written, erroneously believed that all wealth was a blessing from GOD.

If one was poor, then the people believed that he must surely be cursed by GOD, but if one was rich he must surely be blessed by GOD. This is why the disciples then "were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?" ( MARK 10:26). They thought that if the rich found it difficult to enter the kingdom of GOD, what chance did the rest of them have? Much of Yeshua's teaching endeavored to correct the false assumption that wealth is always a blessing from GOD. The truth is more the other way. Usually the pursuit of wealth insulates us from the workings of GOD in our lives. It can choke the word sown in our hearts and rob us of eternal treasures our heavenly Father desires for us to obtain. Hence, it is difficult (not impossible) for a rich man to enter the kingdom of GOD. Many stumble at this and are sad and go away grieved, having found no answer that pleases them. A few however are willing to set aside secondary pursuits and seek with all their heart to know HIM who knew them "before the foundation of the world" (EPHESIANS 1:4).

MARK 8:35, 36 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Why is it hard for a rich man to go to heaven? - Christianity Stack Exchange Why is it hard for a rich man to go to heaven? up vote 10 down vote favorite 1 Jesus said that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to go to heaven. Why would this be? Does this mean that it will be hard for e.g. Warren Buffett to go to heaven? Can a rich man go to heaven only by giving away all of his goods to the poor, as Jesus advised one young rich man? And could this be why Warren Buffett set up a charitable foundation? And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words.

But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 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.” 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 11:23-27 ESV i've never seen a camel go through the eye of a needle...so does that mean...? – FFCoder May 7 '13 at 5:46 1 @FFCoder: It's a "figure of speech" for something that's very hard to do. – Tom Au May 7 '13 at 12:10 2 Just remember, "With man this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible." – Affable Geek Sep 16 '13 at 13:00 1 Well, this couldn't be difficult, considering he/she is rich. All he would need to do is: 1.

Buy a camel 2. Grind the camel into ground meet 3. pay someone to shove every little piece through the hole of a needle. And poof! The rich man can go to heaven. – user9141 Dec 19 '13 at 21:16 up vote 16 down vote accepted As already mentioned, it is entirely possible for a rich man to go to heaven. The problem is that a rich man can more easily trust in his own merits or wealth. There are many proverbs that talk about that, like Proverbs 11:28 (ESV): Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf. When we trust in ourselves and don't rely on Jesus and his death and resurrection for our salvation, then we cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. When Jesus told the rich man to go sell everything he was testing him to see whether his trust and security was in Jesus or in his riches (himself). sell everything? that means he still has the money right? isn't it just a way of the church to keep the poor people calm while the elites take more?

– FFCoder May 7 '13 at 5:47 6 @FFCoder I believe Jesus told him to sell everything and give the money to the poor. Matthew 21 tells us "Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me" – user1477388 May 30 '13 at 0:49 "Jesus told the rich man to go sell everything he was testing him" Why would Jesus test an unbeliever? I think it is saver to assume that he was just instructing him to the nature of his teachings – gerdi Sep 16 '13 at 9:47 up vote 9 down vote The Parable of the Sower can probably shed some light on this. In this parable, there are four different types of soil on which seed is sown. The seed represents the Gospel and the soils represent different responses people have to it.

The third type of soil/response is described as follows: but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. Mark 4:19 ESV So, riches have the potential to deceive those who possess them. This is not always the case, but it is, indeed, a potential pitfall--so much so that Jesus does say it is quite hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Of particular interest for this is the expression of a camel going through the eye of the needle. This site lists four possible explanations. One interesting option is that the word for camel could also be translated as "rope" or "beam". Context would determine which is the proper translation. (We have the same thing, of course. Is "content" something that you are or what something has?) The page notes that for a rope to go through the eye of a needle, it would have to be unwound. It would be difficult, to be sure, but not impossible. Of course, Jesus does say in the passage that with man it is impossible, but with God all things are possible.

up vote 5 down vote This is explained by Jesus in Matthew chapter 6: No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. ( Matthew 6:24 ) (See also: Luke 16:13 ) The problem with this rich man is that he loves his money more than God; this is a transgression of the Greatest Commandment , “You shall love the Lᴏʀᴅ your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.” ( Deut 6:5 ) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

( Matthew 6:21 ) A relevant parable is this one: And [Jesus] said to them, “Take heed, and beware of all covetousness; for a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man brought forth plentifully; and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns, and build larger ones; and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” ( Luke 12:15-21 ) So, having money is not a sin; however, you can easily become more devoted to money than to God.

up vote 2 down vote Why is it difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom? Does he really have to give everything away? Do you? Can a camel or a rope ever go through the eye of a needle? Perhaps everything Jesus says is meant to be thought provoking. Guess it kind of worked since we're still talking about it. Discussed Plato lately? You can attempt to give unusual explanations and applications to difficult text. But doesn't it at some point become irrelevant if there is no actual practical application in real life. So maybe the most obvious and practicable explanation was Jesus' intent. Either he wants me to actually do what he says or he wants me to reach a point of exasperation upon which I can only throw myself on his mercy. Most Believers would say both. So I'm at his mercy now how do I do what he says? With God all things are possible. Any of us can be defined as rich people. So this is an important question. What do we actually have to do? What can we do? The implied commandment is to be "rich" toward God. So how is that done?

up vote 1 down vote It seems like a standard metaphor used through out the teaching of the bible to explain fairly basic concepts ( in my personal opinion this was done to remove complex explainations to very important teachings. Which prevents cultism with a leader proclaiming more knowledge then the others ) It does seem to explain away the impossibility of rich men to get into heaven in verse 27 . I feel it means that rich people need to rely on god even more so then the poor because they have to overcome an impossible feat in order to attain a place in heaven ( although this is not explicit in the text ) This is a beautiful verse actually because it leads to this idea of impossibility and over coming impossibilities even in the physical. Its seems ( in my interpretation and in no way an absolute ) provide an underlines principle in reality. That we an not autonomous being like that of the creatures of the earth , but are far more .. to the degree that each one of us rich or poor , with the guidance of god himself hold the keys to the fabric of perceived reality itself.

SIDE TRACK Of course this also opens up a pandora's box so to speak , in that if anything is possible including the transversing of a camel through a needle , then what will happen if ( and I is taking this into hyperthetical land ) an immovable object is hit by an unstoppable force? With this regard, are paradox's themselves a mere creation by humans to understand away certain perceived uncertainties. SIDE TRACK OVER I think the rich if they do believe should take warning of this verse and others like it. The love of money is the root of all evil and if you read psalms and proverbs and basically all of the new testament, the warnings of rich and wealth are never a good thing. Its sad that very powerful Christians leaders seem to flaut their wealth as a blessing and the not the curse that is seems to be presented as. up vote 1 down vote Rich people should not be able to get to heaven unless they sell their riches and give their money to the poor either by giving food, building shelter or some other generous thing. If not they are storing up treasures and loving the world instead of having compassion on the people of the earth which is what Jesus was trying to teach.

Also I think the translation was messed up because the same word can be translated into rope, instead of camel lol. If you unwind the rope it can fit through the needle but a camel? That doesn't even make sense. up vote -4 down vote I think Jesus was not thinking that the rich man would make a giant blender and liquidize the camel to put it through the eye of a needle. I think he was making a joke and the answer is it is impossible. How improbable is it that a camel could walk through the eye of a needle? Even in the Bible, with all the miracles (burning bush, water into wine, raising Lazarus, resurrection of Christ) I think seeing a camel walk through the eye of a needle would be the best miracle. Rich people (or even middle class by our standards) probably can't get into heaven. What Does the Bible Say About Rich Man Entering Heaven?

Mark 10:25 ESV / 97 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful 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.” 1 Timothy 6:9-12 ESV / 64 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 ESV / 43 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. Matthew 19:24 ESV / 39 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful 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.” Revelation 1:3 ESV / 24 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

Romans 14:13 ESV / 16 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. Isaiah 29:13 ESV / 16 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men, Titus 1:14-16 ESV / 15 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful Not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth. To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.

Matthew 18:3-4 ESV / 15 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful And said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Romans 16:17-18 ESV / 13 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. Hebrews 11:6 ESV / 12 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Matthew 19:23-26 ESV / 12 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven.

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.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Acts 4:34-35 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Matthew 6:1-34 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. ... Matthew 25:14-30 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. ...

James 1:22-23 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. Romans 10:10 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. Mark 10:27 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” Malachi 4:5-6 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.

And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.” Revelation 22:18-19 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. Matthew 18:1-4 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Colossians 2:18-22 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God. If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? Proverbs 14:12 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. Exodus 20:1-20 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful And God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me.

“You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, ... Romans 10:14-17 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Luke 12:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Mark 10:19 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” Philippians 3:6-7 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful As to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Acts 26:20 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful But declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.

John 14:6 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 6:45 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me— Luke 16:31 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’” Mark 10:18 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.

Matthew 12:38-40 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. Matthew 11:27-30 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Psalm 8:1-9 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith. A Psalm of David. O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger. When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. ... Leviticus 19:18 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

Leviticus 19:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and you shall keep my Sabbaths: I am the Lord your God. Exodus 20:12 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. 2 Peter 1:16-18 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.

Acts 17:30-31 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” Acts 2:40-47 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. ... John 3:1-36 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.

This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ... Mark 10:30 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful Who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. Matthew 19:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good.

If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” Matthew 19:1-30 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful Now when Jesus had finished these sayings, he went away from Galilee and entered the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. And large crowds followed him, and he healed them there. And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful to divorce one's wife for any cause?” He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? ... Matthew 17:22-23 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were greatly distressed.

Matthew 16:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. Matthew 10:32-33 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 9:27-30 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” And their eyes were opened.

And Jesus sternly warned them, “See that no one knows about it.” Ezekiel 18:18-20 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful As for his father, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother, and did what is not good among his people, behold, he shall die for his iniquity. “Yet you say, ‘Why should not the son suffer for the iniquity of the father?’ When the son has done what is just and right, and has been careful to observe all my statutes, he shall surely live. The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. Jeremiah 32:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful ‘Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you. Psalm 49:1-20 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful To the choirmaster.

A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. Hear this, all peoples! Give ear, all inhabitants of the world, both low and high, rich and poor together! My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding. I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre. Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me, ... Deuteronomy 18:17-22 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful And the Lord said to me, ‘They are right in what they have spoken. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. And whoever will not listen to my words that he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him.

But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.’ And if you say in your heart, ‘How may we know the word that the Lord has not spoken?’— ... Matthew 19:24 - Bible Gateway Matthew 19:24 EXB ·Yes [L Again], I tell you that 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 [C meaning it is impossible, by human effort; see v. 26].” PHILLIPS Then Jesus remarked to his disciples, “Believe me, a rich man will find it very difficult to enter the kingdom of Heaven. Yes, I repeat, a camel could more easily squeeze through the eye of a needle than a rich man get into the kingdom of God!” MSG As he watched him go, Jesus told his disciples, “Do you have any idea how difficult it is for the rich to enter God’s kingdom?

Let me tell you, it’s easier to gallop a camel through a needle’s eye than for the rich to enter God’s kingdom.” and again I say to you, it is easier for a camel through the eye of a needle to go, than for a rich man to enter into the reign of God.' Top Matthew 19:23 Matthew 19:25 21st Century King James Version (KJ21) Copyright © 1994 by Deuel Enterprises, Inc.; American Standard Version (ASV) Public Domain (Why are modern Bible translations copyrighted?); Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.; Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation; BRG Bible (BRG) Blue Red and Gold Letter Edition™ Copyright © 2012 BRG Bible Ministries. Used by Permission. All rights reserved.

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Question: In the Christian biblical quotation, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a what than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God?
Answer: Needle