I have been told that the "Eye of the Needle" was a narrow passage in Jerusalem's city wall through which caravans could pass only with the greatest difficulty. Perhaps this is just a revisionistic fable, though it seems to be in line with the overall meaning of the passage, even if it is unsubstantiated. -- Dale Unroe (Cincinnati)
What is the "eye of a needle" in Mathew 19:24, Mark 10:25, and Luke 18:25? So many explanations have been offered. I have heard talk of a rope passing through a needle, a carpet needle, and of course the Jerusalem gate called "The eye of the needle." Could you also refer me to a reference for further study? --Max Maxwell
These are all popular preacher stories. I do not believe they have any basis in fact. The most popular, I believe, is the one claiming that a camel could not pass through this legendary gate unless it was on its knees. This obviously makes for good preaching. It also waters down Jesus' strong condemnations of worldliness and materialism.
Perhaps the original (Aramaic) word was rope. That seems possible. Not that the point of the passage would be altered one whit. Yet the rabbis used the phrase as it appears in the gospels. "The Holy One, blessed be He, said Israel, 'My sons, present to me an opening no bigger than the eye of a needle, and I will widen it into openings through which wagons and carriages can pass'" (Song Rab. 5:2 §2). Consider also b.Ber 55b, which refers to "a palm of gold or an elephant which goes through the eye of a needle."
It seems the illustration was invented after Jesus made his famous comment. Jesus is not meaning to say that it is difficult to enter the kingdom if we are saddled down with worldly priorities and concerns, like the "rich young ruler" -- he is saying it's impossible! We all know it is impossible to thread a camel through a needle! The point is Beware materialism!
Not that it is impossible to be rich and saved (1 Timothy 6 and other passages). But if riches have gripped our hearts, there is no way to be saved. God can change our hearts, just as the Lord would gladly have helped the rich young man, had he been willing.
One helpful book is The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (by my friend Craig Keener). This reference book explains that the gate was built in medieval times, not around in the 1st century.
This article is copyrighted and is for private use and study only. © 2004. Reprints or public distribution is prohibited without the express consent of Douglas Jacoby.
