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THE CAMEL AND THE NEEDLE’S EYE
“Then said Jesus unto His disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man
shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. 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” (Matthew 19: 24).
Aspiring to enter Heaven, the rich young ruler enquired of the Lord: “Good
Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” (Matt. 19:
16). Jesus, knowing the young man’s attachment to his riches, had instructed him
to “sell that thou hast … give to the poor … and come and follow Me” (v. 21). We
are told that the man “… went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions” (v.
22). In response, Jesus made this strong statement: “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” (v. 24). These words of Christ are recorded in two other Gospels (Mk. 10:
25 and Lk. 18: 25).
What is the “eye of a needle”?
Some interpreters try to play down the meaning by saying that the needle’s eye,
or the eye of the needle, refers to a small gate at the entrance of Jerusalem
where camels had to stoop to get through. After the city-keepers had locked the
main gates, camels and their owners who arrived after the closure could squeeze
through this gate. However, there is no historical evidence to support this
view.
I believe the Lord’s comment is to be taken literally - the eye of a needle is
the actual eye of a sewing needle! The expression is probably a proverbial one
to indicate that which is absolutely impossible. In the same vein, J. Lightfoot
wrote – “This form of words, familiar in rabbinic writings, signifies something
that is very unusual and difficult – for example, in the Talmud, an elephant
passing through the eye of a needle is used of what is impossible, and a camel
is portrayed as dancing in a very small corn measure.”
To the Jews, the camel is the largest unclean animal. It is about the size of
the largest ox, with one or two humps on his back, with long neck and legs, no
horns, and with feet adapted to the hot and dry sand. A large animal like a
camel will never be able to go through the eye of a needle. Interestingly, a
traveller in Asia Minor once wrote: “As we ascended the hill, I saw something
shining on the road which proved to be one of the needles used by camel-drivers
for mending their camel furniture. It was about six inches long, and had a
large, very long eye.”
“Who then can be saved?”
Jesus’ proverbial statement implies that “that it is not only a great
difficulty, but an utter impossibility, for such as abound in worldly wealth,
and place their confidence therein, to be saved, without an extraordinary grace
and assistance from God” – Burkitt. The heart of the rich young man was
inseparably bound to his earthly treasure. He was not willing to part with his
wealth for the honour of following Christ and the promise of God’s kingdom.
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.” Amazing words! “Astonished out of measure”
(Mk. 10: 26), the disciples asked: “Who then can be saved?” (Lk. 18: 26). Today
we wonder with the disciples. Are all rich people condemned to a lost eternity?
Jesus provided the answer: “The things which are impossible with men are
possible with God” (v. 27). Salvation is of the Lord. It is God’s work, not
man’s. It is the Holy Spirit Who works grace upon the hearts of man. While it is
difficult for the rich to enter Heaven, it is not impossible. The Gospel is the
only remedy for lost sinners (including the rich). Salvation by man’s own
efforts is impossible, but with God all things are possible!
- Pastor
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