Information Related to "The Eye of a Needle"
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The Eye of a Needle
The Eye of a Needle
What did Jesus Christ mean when He said, "It is easier for a camel to go through
the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God"?; (Mark 10:25). Although the scriptural context is clear -- Jesus was warning His followers
not to put their trust in riches -- the question is puzzling. What exactly was Jesus
saying? Some have believed that the phrase eye of the needle refers to the name of
a small gate into a city through which camels had to kneel to enter. Anumber of Bible
resources show that this interpretation is incorrect. Here is what one representative
resource says:
"Jesus' words (in Matthew 19:24, Mark 10:25 and Luke 18:25) that it is easier
for a rich man to enter heaven than 'for a camel to go through the eye of a needle,'
reflect an idea found in early rabbinic writing. There is no archaeological or historical
support for the common idea that the 'needle's eye' was a small pedestrian gate through
the city wall. The statement simply means that humanly speaking, this is an impossible
thing. Only a divine miracle can make it possible" (Nelson's Illustrated Bible
Dictionary, 1986, "Tools of the Bible").
It appears that Christ's words must be taken literally. Just as it is impossible
for a camel to go through the tiny eye of a needle, it is equally impossible for
those who trust in riches, instead of God, to enter the Kingdom of God.
©1999 United Church of God, an International Associtaion
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