Comments on: What is the meaning of: “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”?

By: Jonathan Morgan

Jonathan Morgan — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 13:23:00 +0000

It is true that a camel going through the eye of the needle is impossible. However, I don’t see that it means we
need to make it into a metaphor. As said in the answer, all
it shows is that it is impossible to enter the kingdom without God’s
help (and, by implication, that riches can get in your way).

As for your comment about Americans being rich (and those in other “developed” countries) this is quite true. What that means is not that we should dismiss Jesus’ message as inapplicable to us, but that we should think carefully whether our riches are affecting our ability to serve God. Think about the message of 1 Corinthians 10:12.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 04:08:00 +0000

This is a metaphor:
It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a
rich person to buy his way into
heaven. Otherwise a Christian who
happens to be rich would never get into heaven, no matter how faithful he/she
is. This makes no sense for a loving
God. Kings who bowed down to God would
have no reason to bow down. Besides;
what is rich? 90% of Americans, Including Pastors, are rich compared to
90% of 3rd world citizens.

By: Dr. Bittner

Dr. Bittner — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 12:06:02 +0000

It means what it says. He told the rich man to “give up” his possessions. A camel to go through the tiny eye of a needle is impossible,likewise the rich.For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.A man’s heart will be upon what he treasures most. If his treasure is in heaven, heaven will have his heart.Paul warned Timothy about such men in 1 Timothy 6:5, 9-11. These men of “corrupt mind” supposed godliness was a means of gain and their desire for riches was a trap that brought them “into ruin and destruction” (v. 9). The pursuit of wealth is a dangerous path for Christians and one which God warns about: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (v. 10). If riches were a reasonable goal for the godly, Jesus would have pursued it. But He did not, preferring instead to have no place to lay His head (Matthew 8:20) and teaching His disciples to do the same. It should also be remembered that the only disciple concerned with wealth was Judas.

By: Jon Morgan

Jon Morgan — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 03:00:17 +0000

Physically, it is impossible. However, I don’t see that it means we need to make it into a spiritual reference. As said in the answer, all it shows is that it is impossible to enter the kingdom without God’s help (and, by implication, that riches can get in your way).

By: dan

dan — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 09:52:47 +0000

my current interpretation; the eye of the needle is the “size” of the way into the kingdom of heaven. Obviously in a physical sense neither a camel nor a man can go through the eye of a needle – so we can see that this is a spiritual reference.

i believe that the camel refers to this… think of “rivers of living water flowing from belly” – do some research on that. there you have your camel.

the rich young ruler? well, he didn’t want to exchange his earthly riches for heavenly riches cuz he had a lot of POSSESSIONS – notice it doesn’t even say money – he had a lot of POSSESSIONS.

hope this helps those seeking the truth :]

By: Leonard

Leonard — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 01:14:51 +0000

Where is this information about the building of “The Neddle’s Eye” recorded?

By: Chris Matthiesen

Chris Matthiesen — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 14:54:55 +0000

The New English Translation’s (NET) study notes on Matthew 19:24 are helpful, especially concerning a popular misconception of Jesus’ referral to a gate called ‘the Needle’s Eye’ in Jerusalem.

—–

sn The eye of a needle refers to a sewing needle. (The gate in Jerusalem known as “The Needle’s Eye” was built during the middle ages and was not in existence in Jesus’ day.) Jesus was saying rhetorically that it is impossible for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom, unless God (v. 26) intervenes.

Biblical Studies Press. (2006; 2006). The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible. Biblical Studies Press.