How hard is it for a camel to fit through the eye of a needle?

Prov910 · Oct 23, 2017

Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God. (Matt 19:24)

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Is this to be taken literally? Or was it a figure of speech 2,000 years ago that meant "with great difficultly"? What is it that keeps wealthy people from the kingdom of God?

OneFaith · Oct 23, 2017

All things are possible with God, but to fit a camel through the eye of a needle is possible even for humans, very difficult, and very gross, but possible- kill the camel, blend it’s meat into a juice, grind its bones into powder, stir the powder into the ‘juice’, put a tube through a needle, and pump the ‘juice’ through the needle, and vallah- a camel went through the eye of a needle.

Hizikyah · Oct 23, 2017

Matt 19:24

On the surface I think... IMPOSSIBLE!!! but any can be called and turn to Yah, harder for some than others, so it leadsme to think it is an expression and I have heard it was an expression of the time, I dont know tho because extra biblical, but here is what some think;

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
(easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle) An expression familiar to Jews of our Lord’s time. The exaggeration is quite in the Eastern style. It is unnecessary to give other explanations, as that camel is a Greek word meaning “a rope,” or that “the eye of a needle” is a gate so called.

κάμηλον διὰ τρυπήματος ῥαφίδος. An expression familiar to Jews of our Lord’s time. The exaggeration is quite in the Eastern style. Some attempts however have been made to explain away the natural meaning of the words. κάμιλον, which is said to mean ‘a thick rope,’ has been read for κάμηλον. But the change has no MS. support, and κάμιλος, which does not occur elsewhere, is probably an invention of the Scholiast. Others have explained τρύπημα ῥαφίδος to be the name of a gate in Jerusalem. But the existence of such a gate is not established; and the variety of expression for ‘a needle’s eye,’ τρύπημα ῥαφίδος (Matt.), τρυμαλία ῥαφίδος (Mark), τρῆμα βελόνης (Luke), is against this view. The variation also indicates that the proverb was not current in Greek. The expression in Luke is the most classical. ῥαφὶς is rejected by the Attic purists: ἡ δὲ ῥαφὶς τί ἐστιν οὐκ ἄν τις γνοίη (Lob. Phryn. p. 90). τρύπημα was a vernacular word and is found in Aristoph. Pac. 1234.
An eastern traveller has suggested that the association of ideas arose thus: every camel driver carries with him a large needle to mend his pack-saddle as occasion requires, hence the ‘camel’ and the ‘needle.’

A Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Mat 19:24. It is easier for a camel, &c.— Or, a cable. See Boch. tom. 1: p. 92. Vorst. Adag. p. 14. The rendering of the original word by cable, undoubtedly coalesces more perfectly with the other metaphor of the needle; but, as there is nothing in the proverbial expression, as it stands in the common versions, but what is very agreeable to the Eastern taste, and may be paralleled in other Jewish writings, there seems no great reason to depart from it. The Jews generally made use of the phrase, An elephant cannot pass through the eye of a needle; which our Saviour changes for a camel, an animal very common in Syria, and whose bunch on its neck is apt to hinder its passage through any low entrance. In our Saviour's time, too, the word camel was proverbially used to express any vast object, that being the largest animal in Palestine. Thus we read, ch. Mat 23:24. Strain at a gnat and swallow a camel. We may just observe, that these strong expressions must be understood in their strictest sense, of the state of things at that time subsisting; yet in some degree are applicable to rich men in all ages: the reason is, riches have a woeful effect upon piety in two respects: first, in the acquisition; for, not to mention the many frauds and other sins which men too often commit to obtain riches,—they occasion an endless variety of cares and anxieties, which draw the affections away from God. Secondly, They are generallyoffensive to piety in the possession; because if they be hoarded, they never fail to beget covetousness, which is the root of all evil; and if they be enjoyed, they become strong temptations to luxury and drunkenness, to lust, pride, and idleness. See Heylin, and Mintert on the word Καμηλος .

The Pulpit Commentary, 1880 – 1919
Again I say unto you. The disciples, St. Mark notes, "were astonished at his words," so he proceeds to state the startling proposition more unreservedly and energetically. It is easier for a camel, etc. This is a proverbial expression for an impossibility. A similar proverb is found in many countries, only substituting another great animal instead of the camel, e.g. the elephant. From taking a too literal view of the passage, some commentators have invented a gate at Jerusalem, low and narrow, designed only for foot passengers, which was called "the needle"s eye." Others have remedied the supposed absurdity by reading kamilov (if, indeed, there is such a word) "rope," for kamhlov , as if we were to say cable instead of camel. But there is no difficulty in the expression. Such hyperboles and paradoxes are common in all languages. (comp. Mat 23:24) The impossibility, indeed (as ver. 26 shows), is relative, but the warning is none the less real and terrible. The Lord says that the possession of riches prevents the owner from following him, and endangers his eternal salvation; for that is what it comes to. In St. Mark (whether the words are genuine or not is uncertain) we find a limitation introduced: "How hard it is for them that trust in riches!" Now, this is the effect of riches; men learn to trust in them, to deem that their earthly state is secure, that change and chance will not affect them, that they are, so to speak, independent of Providence; they love the world which is so good to them and so pleasant in their eyes, and they have no earnest longing for a better home. Such is the natural consequence of the possession of wealth, and that which makes the impossibility of entrance into the kingdom.

NayborBear · Oct 23, 2017

3 word answer. Love OF money!

Joidevivre · Oct 23, 2017

Had to laugh at OneFaith's description. But I think it is just a metaphor for something impossible, like saying, "It's as hard as making pigs fly".

Wealthy people might soon trust in their money more than the Lord to provide (a form of worship). It, therefore, becomes their security.

seoulsearch · Oct 23, 2017

I wonder if maybe the first thing that needs to be done is to set parameters as to how the word "wealthy" is defined, and to also state that being wealthy, in and of itself, does not disqualify someone from heaven.

After all, some of the most prominent men in the Bible would make Mr. Trump look like he lived in a poorhouse by comparison (I've heard it said that by today's standards, Abraham may very well have been a billionaire (the Bible says that God Himself "made Abraham very rich".)

I can't even imagine what that must mean when trying to measure what Solomon had. And, I could be wrong, but I'm guessing that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph (Jacob's son), David, and Solomon all made it to heaven.

I have a good friend who works in a ministry that serves international college students with many free services, such as furniture, housewares, and transportation.

She was telling me about a certain student they currently serve who always goes out of her way to tell anyone who will listen that her family "is the richest in their town", but yet, she takes advantage of their organization to a point where they might have to speak to her about abusing their services, just to make sure others have a chance to get what they need, too.

I don't know this girl's circumstances, but I've speculated that perhaps this girl is from a country in which having running water or electricity in your home means that you are "the richest on the block."

If that's true, I wonder if her family is then expected to, let's say, provide water or electronic support to the entire neighborhood, and at their own cost? (After all, if they're the "richest" in town, don't they have an obligation to then support the needs of everyone else? Some would argue yes.)

This is a great topic, for sure... but I just think we have to be very cautious when defining "rich" and "poor", and how that might affect one's relationship with the Lord.

No matter how little we have here (in the United States), in someone else's eyes, WE are the rich camels who are trying to pass through the eye of a needle, and to most of the world, the ones who are in danger of not entering heaven because of our "great wealth."

I just glanced at the posts coming in...

I always find it... somewhat sad... that Christians always think it's SOMEONE ELSE who is the "wealthy camel" who had a love of money and is in danger of hellfire, and never their own selves... as they post their answers to this very thread on an electronic device that many people in the world cannot afford.

Endoscopy · Oct 23, 2017

The eye of the needle was a reference to a small gate that was used at night when the gates to the city was closed. A camel would have to crawl through it. The problem rich people have is their possible love of money over shadowing their love of Christ.

tourist · Oct 23, 2017

I believe that the eye of the needle mentioned in the bible refers to an low opening in a wall to pass through.

Marcelo · Oct 23, 2017

Some interpreters say that, but others say that it is an expression meaning "practically impossible".

Enow · Oct 23, 2017

Since Jesus said this;

John 14:1Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.[SUP] 2 [/SUP]In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.[SUP] 3 [/SUP]And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

I apply that promise to be referring to the pre trib rapture when saved believers should be ready to leave the cares of this life when the Bridegroom comes.

Jesus had given that warning in Luke 14:15-24 in how those invited to the Marriage Supper began making excuses not to come in favor of the cares of this life or a loved one like a newlywed. He expounded on that point in Luke 14:25-33 about the cost of discipleship in following Him that they have to give up everything, including their loved ones to leave this life behind. So that would apply to those who love riches that they would not want to give it up nor their wealthy lives on earth when the Bridegroom comes at the pre trib rapture.

Jesus gave the warning again that an escape is coming which requires believers to pray that no care of this life would snare them that they would hesitate in responding to the Bridegroom and look back as Lot's wife did in Luke 17:26-37.

Here is a short quoted reference on the same topic below.

Luke 21:[SUP]33 [/SUP]Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.[SUP] 34 [/SUP]And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.[SUP] 35 [/SUP]For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.[SUP]36 [/SUP]Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

So Jesus was referring to the wealthy that love money more than Him to not leave this life for the eternal one above.

That does not mean there is no such thing as a wealthy christian, but even they are exhorted to set their hearts on the treasures above.

1 Timothy 6:[SUP]17 [/SUP]Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;[SUP] 18 [/SUP]That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;[SUP]19 [/SUP]Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Nehemiah6 · Oct 23, 2017

I would agree. The interpretation of a small gate in the wall has no real support, but there is also the possibility that this was a reference to a cable or rope being impossible to put through the eye of a needle (as some have indicated).

In any event it means that because too many of those who are rich make wealth their god and their idol, it would be extremely difficult (near impossible) for them to be saved. That is actually demonstrated in the narrative of the Rich Young Ruler in the Bible.

notuptome · Oct 23, 2017

The camel and the small gate is a quite appropriate illustration in that anything that encumbers us in our effort to come to Christ must be put off. The rich must set aside and not trust in their riches but set aside all that hinders their submission to Christ.

All men are rich in their own self righteousness. They cannot receive Christ until they lay their self righteousness aside and receive the righteousness of Christ.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

IamWhoIam · Oct 23, 2017

About as hard as an Egyptian army crossing the Red Sea.

Depleted · Oct 23, 2017

Every time someone asked Jesus, then what do I do, Jesus gave them the impossible. (To the Pharisees he gave an impossible scenario of the Good Samaritan, to Nicodemus, he gave the impossible scenario of be born again, and to the rich man, give away all your money.) Not once did Jesus lie to these people, but only once did someone come back with the only real comeback we can give. "I can't."

That's the thing, we won't go to Christ because we're busy thinking we have to do something/earn it to do that, and it's a lousy deal since what we really want to do is continue in our sin undisturbed.

BUT when we hit "I can't," the big'n comes through loud and clear. He always knows that. But when we catch onto it, we acknowledge our inabilities and accept his ability. AKA that is the moment we become saved.

So, nope. Can't go through the eye of a needle anymore than a camel, but Jesus can give us the new life that tells us we would give up everything we own to follow him.

Depleted · Oct 23, 2017

I was taught it was a small gate into Jerusalem. Then I found out that's an old wive's tale passed around for decades, if not centuries.

crossnote · Oct 23, 2017

Literal, meaning impossible, not just difficult as Jesus goes on to explain...

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. And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.
(Mar 10:25-27)

FlSnookman7 · Oct 23, 2017

Better make sure we define "rich"...Almost anyone living in America would be considered "rich" by the 60% or so people on the planet who live on less than a dollar a day. When asked if he was rich Bob Marley asked "what do you mean by rich?" the reporter answered "well, do you own a lot of possessions?" Bob replied "oh, that's rich?? Then no by that definition I am not rich. I am rich in that I have life everlasting".

I often tell people I am richer by far than I have ever been in my life, I just don't have any money.

Nehemiah6 · Oct 23, 2017

Now that is rich!

MessageOfTheCross · Oct 23, 2017

The scripture means just as it is impossible for a camel to fit through the eye of a needle, it is equally impossible for the most deeply religious man to enter Heaven on the principle of merit.

Prov910 · Oct 23, 2017

I agree with the principle you state. But I think the eye of the needle parable might actually be about wealth. Jesus says this to his disciples right after the rich young man turns away from him.

21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. (Matt 19:21-22)

How hard is it for a camel to fit through the eye of a needle?

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