Most scholars agree that it is referring to the side gate, close to the principal gate, usually called the "eye of a needle" in the East.
The side gate was a very small gate and not big enough for a camel to walk through easily. It was not impossible though, just difficult.
It does not mean that a rich man cannot enter heaven. It will be a very difficult task because money tends to corrupt.
2007-06-04 08:53:21
·
answer #1
·
answered by TG 4
·
0⤊
0⤋
I've heard two interpretations: the needle is a sewing needle, which means it's impossible for a rich man to enter the Kingdom.
The other is that the "eye of a needle" was actually an alternate entrance to the city after the city gates were closed at night. The entrance was low so a man had to unload his camel and have it crawl through the entrance. This image signifies humility.
The second interpretation means it's possible for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God, but it requires humility which a rich man is likely low on.
2007-06-04 08:42:03
·
answer #2
·
answered by Idle Chitchat 4
·
2⤊
0⤋
A Rich Man Usually Is Wrapped Up In His Money. >>>> WHEN MONEY IS HIS GOD, Then God says: It's easier for a Camel to go thru the Eye Of a Needle......etc (Mark 10:25) Nothing comes before God>
2007-06-04 08:48:32
·
answer #3
·
answered by minnetta c 6
·
0⤊
0⤋
The most common Christian interpretation is that Jesus uses the physical impossibility of a camel passing through a needle (compare the similar Talmudic expression involving an elephant) to hyperbolically express the difficulty of entering heaven. A rich man would not ordinarily be able to enter the kingdom of heaven (and the disciples interpreted this to mean that no one can be saved, since wealth was considered a sign of God's favor); but God can achieve what would be impossible without his help. Jesus spoke in response to the rich man's unwillingness to give up his worldly possessions; through the grace of God, he might be able to give up his attachment to them. Christians also typically use the account of the rich young ruler, including this phrase, to teach about the deceitfulness of wealth and worldly prestige.
Some scholars have suggested that the word camel (κάμηλον) is in fact a mistranslation of the Greek original, and should instead read rope (κάμιλον). On the weight of this, some English versions read "cable" instead of "camel".3 This explanation is also based on the notion of physical impossibility: neither a camel nor a rope can pass through the eye of a needle.
2007-06-04 08:43:11
·
answer #4
·
answered by Anonymous
·
1⤊
0⤋
id have to say that there is no "answer", but there is something missing that others may not know.
in jerusalem (i think it was jerusalem, but im not 100% sure), they had a huge wall all around the city to protect from invaders or something. and the doorway in was the "eye of a needle". it was an archway cut out of the wall. it was big enough for a man to walk through, but if a large group was coming, they could only come in 1, maybe 2, at a time. but, if a camel or horse wanted to get through, it was too big. so the way they got camels through was to get the camel to kneel down and crawl through. so the point is that a rich man must kneel down in prayer and humility and become humble in order to enter into the kingdom of God.
2007-06-04 08:43:41
·
answer #5
·
answered by You Know It! 3
·
0⤊
0⤋
The idea of a camel going through the eye of a needle is an impossibility, but even more unlikely than that is it for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. The Bible is commenting on the values of most rich men -- their materialism, their inability to see the larger picture, their arrogance, their perceived almightiness, and hence, their presumed denial of the need for God in their already very fruitful and prospering lives. It's rare for people who are already blessed materially to accept the need to be blessed spiritually by God. It's a statement that I don't necessarily agree with because wealthy men are sometimes the greatest philanthropers in existence, but in other instances, their wealth corrupts them, blinds them, and makes them insufferable and wholly unappreciative of every gift they have been given.
2007-06-04 08:41:33
·
answer #6
·
answered by ellieoshkosh 3
·
0⤊
0⤋
Such confidence ...
Kindly do not render the story about a gate in the city wall, at which camels had to be unladen in order to pass through. There never was any such gate.
Greek kamelos means a rope, which is equally used to make a more meaningful interpretation viz. endeavouring to thread a needle with rope.
Both are inventive, forced explanations; and unnecessary.
The phrase is an illustration used to make the theological point that with God, the impossible, is possible.
Kind regards,
Philip Livingstone
www.theforgottenbible.org
2007-06-04 08:56:23
·
answer #7
·
answered by Anonymous
·
0⤊
0⤋
Some people believe it refers to a doorway in a gate in Jerusalem called "Needle's Eye". It was shaped like the eye of a needle and was so low that a camel could only pass if it entered kneeling and unencumbered with baggage.
Although there is no historical evidence that such a gate ever existed, through frequent repetition the idea has attained the status of virtual dogma in some circles.
2007-06-04 08:43:17
·
answer #8
·
answered by Jess H 7
·
1⤊
0⤋
It means it is HARD for somoene who is wrapped up in money who is rich and lives their lives for money to enter heaven- VERY HARD.
Someone who loves money more than God- for God says you cannot serve two masters!
I mean, look at how hard it would be for a camel to through an eye of a needle! And that is easier than an rich man entering heaven?
One must be RICH IN CHRIST! Not in this world.
2007-06-04 08:50:56
·
answer #9
·
answered by Mandolyn Monkey Munch 6
·
0⤊
0⤋
Very simply, it means that a rich man has placed material things before God, therefore it is difficult for him to get into heaven.
(I think by now most people know the story of the Eye of the Needle ... but that has nothing to do with interpreting this verse.)
2007-06-04 08:54:08
·
answer #10
·
answered by MyPreshus 7
·
0⤊
0⤋