The term "needle" is most famously referenced in the Bible in the context of Jesus' teachings on wealth and the kingdom of God. The passage is found in the Synoptic Gospels, specifically in Matthew 19:24, Mark 10:25, and Luke 18:25. In these passages, Jesus uses the imagery of a camel passing through the eye of a needle to illustrate the difficulty for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven.

Biblical Context and Interpretation:

In Matthew 19:24 , Jesus states, "Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." This metaphor is repeated in Mark 10:25 and Luke 18:25, emphasizing the challenge that wealth poses to spiritual devotion and humility. The "eye of a needle" is understood to be a hyperbolic expression, highlighting the near impossibility of the task without divine intervention.

Cultural and Historical Considerations:

Some historical interpretations suggest that the "eye of a needle" might refer to a small gate in Jerusalem, which camels could only pass through if they were unloaded and knelt down. However, this interpretation lacks strong historical evidence and is generally considered a later attempt to soften the radical nature of Jesus' teaching. The more traditional understanding is that Jesus was using an exaggerated metaphor to stress the spiritual peril of wealth.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the "needle" metaphor underscores the necessity of prioritizing spiritual wealth over material possessions. It serves as a warning against the idolatry of wealth and the false security it can provide. The passage calls believers to rely on God's grace rather than their own resources, as seen in the subsequent verses where Jesus assures that "with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26).

Practical Application:

In practical terms, this teaching encourages Christians to examine their relationship with wealth and possessions. It challenges believers to cultivate a spirit of generosity, humility, and dependence on God. The metaphor of the needle serves as a vivid reminder of the potential barriers that material wealth can create in one's spiritual journey.

Related Biblical Themes:

The theme of wealth and its spiritual implications is prevalent throughout Scripture. Proverbs 11:28 warns, "He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf." Similarly, 1 Timothy 6:10 cautions, "For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil." These passages, along with the needle metaphor, collectively call for a heart aligned with God's kingdom values rather than earthly riches.5169. trupema -- eye.
... Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: trupema Phonetic Spelling:
(troo'-pay-mah) Short Definition: a hole, the eye of a needle Definition: a hole; ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5169.htm - 6k

5168. trumalia -- a hole, eye (of a needle)
... a hole, eye (of a needle). Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: trumalia
Phonetic Spelling: (troo-mal-ee-ah') Short Definition: the eye of a needle ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5168.htm - 6k

Book I.
... Since you press me to give what I am not bound to give, consider what our Lord says,
[5150] "That it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than ...
//christianbookshelf.org/jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book i.htm

The Teacher with Authority
... the scribes, "You strain out a gnat and swallow a camel" (Matt, xxiii.24), or his
declaration that "it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye than ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/ii the teacher with authority.htm

The Young Man that Jesus Loved.
... For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye than for a rich man to
enter the Kingdom of God.". "Who then can be saved?" asked one. ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxxii the young man.htm

Who Then Can be Saved?
... kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than
for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 10 23-31 who then can.htm

Entering the Kingdom
... God? 25. For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than
for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.26. And ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/entering the kingdom.htm

The Rich Young Ruler.
... kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than
for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.". And when ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/the rich young ruler.htm

The Kingdom of God
... It is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter
the Kingdom of God." And they were so astonished that they said, "Then who ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the kingdom of god.htm

The Occasion of Writing this Work; a Thing May be Capable of Being ...
... was possible of which no example ever occurred,"although I suppose you would not
hesitate to admit that no camel ever passed through a needle's eye, [714 ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 1 i name occasion.htm

What is Proposed to be Here Treated.
... is to say that those things only are unexampled possibilities, which are the works
of God,"such as the passage of the camel through the needle's eye, which ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 7 v what is proposed.htm

Ephesians iv. 25-27
... in a building, so long as they are closely fitted together and leave no interstice,
will stand firm, while if there is but a single needle's passage through ...
/.../homily xiv ephesians iv 25-27.htm

Needle's (3 Occurrences)
...Needle's (3 Occurrences). ... Mark 10:25 It is easier for a camel to go through a needle's
eye than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God." (WEB ASV BBE). ...
/n/needle's.htm - 7k

Needle (4 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Used only in the proverb, "to pass through a needle's
eye" (Matthew 19:24; Mark 10:25; Luke 18:25). Some ...
/n/needle.htm - 10k

Easier (8 Occurrences)
... Matthew 19:24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's
eye, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God." (WEB KJV WEY ASV ...
/e/easier.htm - 8k

Rich (140 Occurrences)
... Matthew 19:24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's
eye, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God." (WEB KJV WEY ASV ...
/r/rich.htm - 37k

Camel (13 Occurrences)
... of a rich man's entering into the kingdom, our Lord uses the proverbial expression
that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle (Matthew 19 ...
/c/camel.htm - 21k

Simpler (6 Occurrences)
... Matthew 19:24 And again I say to you, It is simpler for a camel to go through a
needle's eye, than for a man with much money to go into the kingdom of God. ...
/s/simpler.htm - 8k

Enter (372 Occurrences)
... Matthew 19:24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's
eye, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God." (WEB KJV WEY ASV ...
/e/enter.htm - 39k

Eye (145 Occurrences)
... eye. 12. (n.) A small loop to receive a hook; as hooks and eyes on a dress.
13. (n.) The hole through the head of a needle. 14. (n ...
/e/eye.htm - 54k

Needless (3 Occurrences)

/n/needless.htm - 7k

Wealth (340 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Mark 10:25 It is simpler for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than
for a man of wealth to come into the kingdom of God. (BBE). ...
/w/wealth.htm - 40k

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