>The "eye of the needle" is a gate in old Jerusalem. It is very narrow.....

>K

Ken,

Stephen probably has a better grasp of it. A cursory search found these

references, pertinent excerpts from longer, interesting texts included:

1) From <http://www.biblicalhebrew.com/nt/camelneedle.htm>:

Just where is that gate in Jerusalem?

"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." (Matthew 19:24)

For the last two centuries it has been common teaching in Sunday School that

there is a gate in Jerusalem called the eye of the needle through which a

camel could not pass unless it stooped and first had all its baggage first

removed. After dark, when the main gates were shut, travellers or merchants

would have to use this smaller gate, through which the camel could only

enter unencumbered and crawling on its knees! Great sermon material, with

the parallels of coming to God on our knees without all our baggage. A

lovely story and an excellent parable for preaching but unfortunately

unfounded! From at least the 15th century, and possibly as early as the 9th

but not earlier, this story has been put forth, however, there is no

evidence for such a gate, nor record of reprimand of the architect who may

have forgotten to make a gate big enough for the camel and rider to pass

through unhindered.

2) From <http://www.creationtips.com/eye_of_needle.html>:

What the rich young ruler was sad about was that Jesus said it would be

impossible for him to enter the kingdom of God because of his riches.

The bystanders recognized this is what he meant, because they said, "Who

then can be saved?" (Luke 18:26). And Jesus replied, "The things which are

impossible with men are possible with God" (Luke 18:27).

This kills the "little gate" theory, because that was not impossible. And it

kills the "camel rope" theory, because that was not impossible either.

What these verses say are that:

The rich man had to be willing to put God before his possessions.

Only God could save him.

Rich people can be saved like anyone else if they do what God wants. Joseph

of Arimathea was wealthy. And Paul said in Romans 2:11 that God doesn't show

favouritism. Anyone can be saved.

The illustration of the camel going through the eye of a needle was perfect

for those He was speaking to. The eye of a needle means the eye of a needle.

Jesus' explanation that what is impossible for men is possible with God

shows that rich men can be saved and enter Heaven. But only if they put

their faith in God rather than in their riches.

D McKay

[excessive quoting removed by server]

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