It is easier for a camel to go through the EYE OF A NEEDLE

[TonyChanYT]

Matthew 19:

24 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.”

Vincent's Word Studies:

Compare the Jewish proverb, that a man did not even in his dreams see an elephant pass through the eye of a needle.

Jesus alluded to a Jewish proverb but changed the image of an elephant to a camel.

The reason why the camel was substituted for the elephant was because the proverb was from the Babylonian Talmud, and in Babylon the elephant was common, while in Palestine it was unknown. The Koran has the same figure: "The impious shall find the gates of heaven shut; nor shall he enter there till a camel shall pass through the eye of a needle." Bo-chart, in his history of the animals of scripture, cites a Talmudic passage: "A needle's eye is not too narrow for two friends, nor is the world wide enough for two enemies." The allusion is not to be explained by reference to a narrow gate called a needle's eye.

Vincent didn't think there was actually a physical gate by the name of "Needle's Eye".

Similarly, Cambridge Bible:

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.

By this hyperbolic imagery, Jesus wanted to emphasize how difficult or impossible it was for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. Jesus often spoke in poetic hyperbole to emphasize a deeper spiritual reality.

 

[miamited]

Hi TonyChanYT

Personally, I've always thought that Jesus meant pretty much exactly what he said. He was using an analogy, not hyperbole. Basically what Jesus was telling the listeners around him was that it would be easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. The warning is that we want to be very, very careful that we aren't blinded by the gilding gains of money and put that desire ahead of our love for our Creator.

It follows along with another truth of the Scriptures that tell us that the love of money, which basically is what the wealthy are after, is the root of all sorts of evil. So, I believe the lesson of the Lord is pretty simple and shouldn't need a lot of theological giant heads to sort it for us.

God bless,
Ted

 

[journeymanisnothing]

Hi TonyChanYT

Personally, I've always thought that Jesus meant pretty much exactly what he said. He was using an analogy, not hyperbole. Basically what Jesus was telling the listeners around him was that it would be easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. The warning is that we want to be very, very careful that we aren't blinded by the gilding gains of money and put that desire ahead of our love for our Creator.

It follows along with another truth of the Scriptures that tell us that the love of money, which basically is what the wealthy are after, is the root of all sorts of evil. So, I believe the lesson of the Lord is pretty simple and shouldn't need a lot of theological giant heads to sort it for us.

God bless,
Ted

This is a stellar answer miamited. Jesus also said,

Blessed are the poor in spirit Mt.5:3, because we need to understand that Gods' goods have only been lent to us for a period of time.

as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. 2Cor.6:10

 

[TonyChanYT]

He was using an analogy, not hyperbole

Cambridge Bible thought it was a hyperbole:

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.

 

[hawkman]

By this hyperbolic imagery, Jesus wanted to emphasize how difficult or impossible it was for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. Jesus often spoke in poetic hyperbole to emphasize a deeper spiritual reality.

Difficult but not impossible , as we are told further down in Matt 19 .

24 And again I say unto you, 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.

25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

 

[miamited]

Hi TonyChanYT

Cambridge Bible thought it was a hyperbole:

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.

I'm sorry, but did you read that statement out loud? What it's saying is that "it is UNNECESSARY to give other explanations, such as camel is a Greek word meaning "a rope," or that "the eye of a needle" is a gate so called.

I believe the statement you're depending on actually is saying that it isn't hyperbole. But hey, go with what you believe to be the truth.

God bless,
Ted

 

[Free]

It’s hyperbole being used in an analogy. You’re both right.

 

[TonyChanYT]

I believe the statement you're depending on actually is saying that it isn't hyperbole.

My paraphrase of Cambridge Bible commentary:

There is no need to give other explanations, like that camel is a Greek word meaning “a rope,” or that “the eye of a needle” is a gate.

It is just an exaggeration/hyperbole in the usual Eastern style, an expression familiar to Jews of our Lord’s time.

 

[miamited]

My paraphrase of Cambridge Bible commentary:

Hi TonyChanYT
While I fully understand that it may well be a phrase/saying that any turn first century Jew might be familiar with, I don't see how that makes it an exaggeration. Is it your contention that a rich man getting into the kingdom of God will be easier than sorting a camel through the eye of a needle?

BTW is it also your contention that the 'eye of a needle' saying was only familiar to the Jewish culture. No other cultures knew how hard it was for a camel to be threaded through the eye of a needle. Or do you just not believe other cultures would have used such a phrase?

I just ask, because I've never seen any evidence that this phrase was somehow something that only the Jewish culture of that day would have been aware of. Do you have some historical evidence to support such a claim?

God bless,
Ted