"Camel Through the Eye of a Needle", A Closer Look by Reggie Koop

Key Scripture: Mark 10:23-25

“And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 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.” – Mark 10:23-25 (Synoptic parallels in Matthew 19 and Luke 18.)

When one reads Mark 10:17-31, I believe they almost immediately turn their focus to verse 25, overlooking the meaning of the others. Let’s consider the previous verses.

The statement Jesus made in verse 23 was very much in opposition to the Jewish attitude toward riches. Predominately, the Jewish view was that riches were an indication of divine favor and a reward for piety. The rich were highly looked upon, elevated in society in comparison to the poor who were of little value. But it is just the opposite with God.

Getting back to verse 25, one would immediately agree it would impossible for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. Let’s look at some thoughts on this phrase:

1. Maybe the Greek is mangled.

There are some differences in the transmitted Greek. The needle in Matthew and Mark is a rafic. In Luke it is a balone. Both are synonyms for needles used in sewing, but Luke’s is more likely to be used by a surgeon than a seamstress.

2. Maybe there is a possibility of a Greek misprint.

The Greek word kamelos (cable or rope) may have been misprinted as kamilos (camel). It would certainly be easier to thread a needle with a rope.

3. Maybe it makes sense in Aramaic.

Another alternative view is that the Aramaic word gamla means rope and camel, possibly because ropes were made from camel hair.

4. A flawed explanation goes like this:

Christ wasn’t referring to the eye of a literal needle, He was talking about a narrow entrance in the city of Jerusalem, a gate known locally as the “Eye of the Needle.” This gate was so small that the camel could only be brought through with great difficulty, squeezed through on its knees, which depicts how we humbly come to the Lord. The flaw is that there is no evidence that such a gate ever existed. Also, a person with common sense would never have attempted to force a camel through a small gate when they could have entered through a larger gate.

The true meaning is that a rich man cannot get to heaven unless he is willing to part with his worldly wealth and humble himself, like a camel kneeling to go through the eye of a needle. If one of the language explanations is true, then a rich man but be loosed and disentangled from his riches, just like a rope must be unraveled to one thread to go through the eye of a needle.

Do not overlook verse 24:

“And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!”

As we saw last week, simply put, children do not have to become adults to be saved; adults have to become like children. Jesus is commending a spirit of humility, dependence, and deference – virtues which are common in children and essential for following Christ.

Don’t miss the opportunity to enter heaven.