What did Jesus mean when He said it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle?

what did jesus mean when he said it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into heaven there are several different schools of thought on what jesus was referring to in saying that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to gain eternal life the persians expressed the concept of the impossible by saying it would be easier to put an elephant through the eye of a needle the camel was a jewish adaptation the largest animal in israel was a camel some theorized that the needle jesus was speaking of was the needle gate supposedly a low and narrow after-hours entrance found in the wall surrounding jerusalem it was purposely small for security reasons and a camel could only go through it by stripping off any saddles or packs and crawling through on its knees the problem with this theory is that there's no evidence such a gate ever existed beyond that what sane camel driver would go through such contortions when larger gates were easily accessible others claim that the word translated camel should actually be cable then the verse would read that it is easier for a cable or rope to go through the eye of a needle to believe this however brings up more problems than it solves namely casting doubt on the inerrancy and inspiration of scripture the most likely explanation is that jesus was using hyperbole a figure of speech that exaggerates for emphasis jesus used this technique at other times referring to a plank in one's eye and swallowing a camel jesus message is clear it is impossible for anyone to be saved by his own merits since wealth was seen as proof of god's approval it was commonly taught by the rabbis that rich people were blessed by god and were therefore the most likely candidates for heaven jesus destroyed that notion and along with it the idea that anyone can earn eternal life the disciples had the appropriate response to this statement they were utterly amazed and asked who then can be saved in the next verse if the wealthy among them which included the super spiritual pharisees and scribes were unworthy of heaven what hope was there for a poor man jesus answer is the basis of the gospel with man this is impossible but not with god all things are possible with god men are saved through god's gifts of grace mercy and faith nothing we do earn salvation for us it is the poor in spirit who inherit the kingdom of god those who recognize their spiritual poverty and their utter inability to do anything to justify themselves to a holy god the rich man so often is blind to his spiritual poverty because he is proud of his accomplishments and he has contended himself with his wealth he is as likely to humble himself before god as a camel is to crawl through the eye of a needle got questions the bible has answers and we'll help you find them you

Channel: Got Questions Ministries

Views: 38,361

Keywords: What did Jesus mean when He said it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, Matthew 19:24, Mark 10:25, Luke 18:25, easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, camel through the eye of a needle meaning, camel through the eyes of a needle explained, camel through the eye of a needle bible verse, camel through a needle, camel through the eye of a needle in the bible

Id: 8Wnva5zlYEU

Length: 3min 10sec (190 seconds)

Published: Fri Dec 11 2020