If it is harder for a rich man?

Question

to enter the kingdom of heaven, than a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, then because it does not state that it is impossible for a rich man to enter heaven; Does this mean it must be possible for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle?

Further more, why does Cleopatra's needle have no eye, and the London Eye have no needle?

Now come on boys and girls, if you read the last part of the question again, you mind just find that my tongue was planted firmly in my cheek when I was asking this question!

Answer 1

I've always struggled to get a cover on a quilt, so all this camel business sounds impossible!

Answer 2

Over the years, biblical commentators have taken three approaches in exploring the meaning of this scripture. The first of these has found wide acceptance among Christians because of the beauty of its teachings. It says that in ancient times there was a small gate cut inside the larger gate of the city through which one might enter after nightfall, when the city was closed. Although this small gate—termed the “eye of the needle”—could readily admit a man, a camel could enter only by first being relieved of its burden and then by walking through on its knees. The imagery here is that of the sinner casting away his faults (or the rich man his worldly possessions) and kneeling in prayer.

Unfortunately, there are problems with this beautiful explanation. One is that the camel’s anatomy does not permit it to crawl on its knees. More serious, however, is the fact that there is absolutely no evidence whatsoever of the use of such small inset gates in the time of Christ. One may see them today in Jerusalem and Damascus, where the local tour guides will call them by the term “eye of the needle,” but there are no such gates dating prior to the twelfth century A.D.

A second possibility is that Jesus actually used the word “rope,” the Greek form of which (kamilos) is similar to the word used for “camel” in Matthew 19:24 (kamelos) [Matt. 19:24]. The rope, after all, is just a larger version of string or thread, which one would expect to use with a needle.

A third possibility is that Jesus really meant to say “camel” and that his speech was deliberate hyperbole—exaggeration for the purpose of emphasis—common in that part of the world. Other examples are the Greek saying, “It is easier to hide five elephants under one’s arm,” and the Latin, “More easily would a locust bring forth an elephant.”

Evidence suggesting that hyperbole may have been intended when Jesus spoke of the camel and the needle’s eye comes from the fact that his hearers understood the impossibility of the statement and “were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?” To this, Jesus replied, “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”

Hyperbole, exaggeration for the sake of emphasis, found in the Old as well as the New Testament, remains even today a part of everyday speech in the Middle East. It is a linguistic and cultural trait common to that area. Its usage in the Bible does not diminish the importance or the truthfulness of that sacred volume. Rather, it places it geographically and adds to its authenticity.

In any event, the idea is clear—riches can become a serious stumbling block to a person seeking eternal life.

Answer 3

In a virtual (not "virtuous"!) world a camel may well pass through the eye of a needle.
You have not looked at Cleopatra's needle closely enough. It has many eyes (engraved on it). Nor have you thought about the London eye: It revolves around a giant needle called "lynch pin".
The "sine qua non" passport into paradise is not poverty. Wealth is only an obstacle if hoarded, acquired through foul means or unshared. Remember the parabol of the gold coins (Matthew 25:14-30): it was the man who made the sum fructify who was the shown as the best model and rewarded.

Answer 4

Dear Doctor John ....

I have heard that it is: ..easier for a *rope* to pass through the eye of a needle ....

No, it does not mean that it is impossible for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven......like so many things, I am sure we are not meant to be trapped in all the verbiage... but it simply means that the rich are reluctant to share.......

but hey, the poor are also.....

Only when people ~ rich or poor ~ trust the Lord, do they put themsleves on the line, surrender to the Lord, and say " Please accept me, I am yours. I will do as you ask."

As for Cleopatra's needle... it's an obelisk, and like steeples (church spires) and Indian stupas, it is awe=spire=ing to heaven !! Sorry !!

It is also a phallic symbol, like Shiva Lingas ..it's ok......God said, "Go forth...." It is just encouragement, lest we forget...

And the London Eye.....I don't really know.... considering the English fondness for beef, it might be a rib eye, but I would not want to kid you. Not about something so serious.

xxxx
Lakshmi

Answer 5

No, it is not possible

The needle that Christ was referring to is of the type used for sewing, as the Greek word used makes clear.

It is impossible for any of us to enter Heaven from our own efforts or resources.

Are we not all rich in our estimation of ourselves and from our self sufficiency and selfish independence?

Whereas blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

The thing impossible with men is possible with God.

Only through God working the impossible can any of us enter Heaven. The richer we are the greater the miracle for all our riches have to be taken away until we are poor in spirit.




Didn't Cleopatra have sharp eyes?

And the London Eye certainly soars as an needle, sorry, an eagle.

Answer 6

this has been a controversy for many years..
till lately someone found out the translation from the original transcript was wrong , since the term used for the "eye of aneedle " also resembles a huge circle used to tie boats.

im not a christan but i think you still can be a very good person and be rich, it all depends how you make your money and how you use it.
one think is being a fdruglord and waste it all on hookers and the other thing is have a legit busines , be nice to your employees and develop social responsability progrmas towards them,.

if you still believe that rich will not go to heaven , you can ask send your enquiry to this rich pastors thata make 350K a year or call your religious right congressmen, that thinks the war in iraq si the coolest thing ever,.,..this guys make plenty of dough.

Answer 7

If the needle was 400 feet long, any camel could just walk right through its eye.

Answer 8

confident Mexican human beings would properly be tricky workers yet what are they working tricky in? yet you will properly be a similar way basically bypass to college make friends (connections),carry out a little good issues on your community and connect a reason you be responsive to make your self sense good and seem good attempt new pastimes,yet artwork tricky in construction your self up for fulfillment. additionally it relies upon on what profession your going for like in the journey that your going to be a vet do no longer seem stunned that your no longer the place you prefer to be as quickly, vets are good yet statues and money clever overlook it choose for being a doctor or somebody who flies a jet or a scientist ,or a mechanical engineer, thoes are some examples. however the buttom line is it relies upon on what your aiming for. working tricky at a quickly food place and over the years ought to no longer get you everywhere possibly some loose fries yet thats approximately it. So I say tricky artwork because of the fact examining is variety of a game which you ought to artwork on huge time. additionally to the above guy or woman names reaper.....he's not pulling out the race card supply up asserting that how come while different races ask a query no person mentions a ____(fill in the sparkling) card? He did ask a ordinary question plus this question comes from returned then while Blacks had no option to ought to artwork greater greater stable then ever while whites like ourselves had kin that have been given rich of the blacks so as that money grew to become into surpassed down so confident that area returned then is genuine whites did no longer ought to do plenty then yet now we do.

Answer 9

Theirs a place in Jerusalem where theirs a very small tight place between buildings where it s very hard to get thru.Its called the eye of the needle because its so small an area to get thru.especially with a camel.that is believed to be the reason they say that. in the bible.
My uncle is one of the richest men in Atlanta.but he and his family or very fine Christians.but many rich people place money over spirituality.our relationship with God and Jesus and the holy spirit must come first .anything that comes between us and the holy spirits guidance is a sin.
all that call on the name of the Lord will not be saved. only those who do my fathers will. will make it to heaven. said Jesus.

Answer 10

Since non of us take our riches when we die from that point of view we all have the same chance of entering heaven!!!