Was the biblical "eye of the needle" a real entrance?

Question

Jesus said ,"its easier for a camal to go througth the eye of the needle,than for a rich man to enter the gatesof heaven."

Answer 1

I saw this "eye of the needle" entrance at Meggido. Here is a picture of the steps leading up to it from my Holyland Virtual Tour CD...
http://www.holylandvirtualtour.com/quiz/09.jpg

It is a good possibility, however, look at the response of the disciples. They said, "Lord, then who could be saved?" To whit Jesus replied that for God, all things are possible. So what Jesus was saying was the it is impossible for a rich man to enter because he is so distracted and in bondage to his wealth. But that is no barrier for God.
In the context given, it looks as though Jesus was talking about a literal camel and literal needle.

Answer 2

The needle was a real late night entrance. It kept out the marauders that were lurking in the dark to conquer a city. If a traveler came after the main gate was closed, they had to use the needle. (Sewing needles come with that symbol too!) It was very hard to get through it with a loaded camel or mule. So the parable is exactly what is written. But, some scholars think it may be a contextual meaning too. Maybe because a rich man (us) needs no one but themselves, it may be hard to unload; the wealth, stardom, desires, foods, fine wines and drugs, power and end up outside ourselves. So love conquers all and we are supposed to care for others and unload the load we carry. In the United States we carry so many "things" that we may have a hard time believing, trusting and following Jesus example of love and forgive others the way we want it done to us too!

Answer 3

There are two thoughts on the meaning of the "eye of the needle" phrase.

One is that it is indeed a real entrance into a city. Apparently ancient cities were built with a small narrow entrance meant for pedestrian traffic ... sort of like a back door. Camels did not want to go through the entrance; you can easily picture trying to push one through from behind and pulling it from the head ... not an easy thing to do, as I understand camels are as stubborn as donkeys lol.

The other thought has nothing to do with camels and needles lol, I read once in some Reader's Digest thing that the translation was misquoted and in fact it said "it is easier for a rope to go through the eye of a needle", the difference between the word for rope and the word for camel being one letter off.

So take your pick, either way it's hard for a rich man to get into Heaven, as they are loathe to let go of their possessions.

Answer 4

There is a lot of debate over what that really means.
In the Babylonian Talmud, there is a similar expression:
"They do not show a man a palm tree of gold, nor an elephant going through the eye of a needle."

Some scholars also say that the word camel was mistranslated and should have read "cable" or "rope". Either way, there was no such gate in Jerusalem. That's one of those urban legends that the fundies like to throw around to try and make true. No historical or archaeological evidence of a "needle's eye" gate ever existed.

Answer 5

They say there was a doorway in a large gate in Jerusalem called 'the eye of the needle' where camels had to unload and crawl through on their knees but of course there's debate over what Jesus meant.

I think the metaphor is more plausable since He said 'the eye of a neddle' and not 'the eye of the needle', but of course it has a lesson either way.

gate: you must get rid of your idols and humble yourself
metaphor: trust in God to do what man is not capable of

so I don't argue about it.

Answer 6

but if something is as easy as accepting a savior, should it matter if you're rich or poor? why should the saying have anything to do with a rich man. does god make it more difficult for rich believers to enter than for poor believers? or is this just something that was thrown in the bible to keep people who didn't have riches humble? you may not be rich now, but at least you're not that poor miserable king with that big castle and all the beautiful women, who is going to have a much harder time than you getting into heaven. what a crock!!!

Answer 7

Figurative.
Really how easy is it for a camel to fit through the eye of a needle?

Answer 8

By the way, that sentence was translated incorrectly. It was later discovered that the word translated as "camel" actually meant a kind of a very thick rope. But, in fact, the wrong translation provides a much more powerful image.

Answer 9

Yes, it was a very small opening in the outside city gate. To get through it a camel had to get down on the ground and be coaxed through. It wasn't impossible, but it was difficult to get in the position to enter.

Answer 10

UMMMMMMMM I guess if you can fit that camel through that needle eye you can get in that way. Me......my hips are a little too wide so I think I'll stick with the way Jesus taught. God Bless