Camel Through a What?!

Let's keep the thread going (pun intended) on JQ's last post...




Camel Through a What?! (Matthew 19:24 / Mark 10:25 / Luke 18:25)

"Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." -Luke 18:25.

Ouch!

That's the first thing that comes to my mind. And that's what the apostles must've been thinking too, all three gospels recount that they were "greatly astonished and asked, 'Who then can be saved?'" thus implying that the conditions for salvation are so lofty that they are impossible!

(Disclaimer: These are some additional insights derived from some recreational reading and for though-provoking (not scholarship) purposes - they are non-authoritative and definitely extrabilbical!)

There are a couple of theories about what may have been said in this incredibly difficult teaching. In both cases, the common interpretation remains intact - it is an exaggeration that Jesus uses to portray the immense difficulty in entering heaven - particular those who have great earthly wealth.

The first theory is the suggestion that the Greek word for "camel" (κάμηλον) or "kamilos" was possibly misprinted from (κάμιλον), or "kamelos" which meant rope. In other words, Jesus' original statement may have been that it was harder for a "rope to go through the eye of a needle" (which while still impossible, at least more 'sensibly' impossible!) At least you can try to start figuring out ways to get that rope through the needle by untwining/untwisting it or something (whereas w/ the camel, you'd probably wouldn't even know where to start.) Hm... untwisting - perhaps a spiritual parallel for confession and correction/repentance??

Some english translations of the scripture even use the word "cable" in place of "camel" which sound/spell similarly... kinda like the Greek. Coincidence? :D

Another hypothesis is that Jesus was referring to a certain gateway from that time in Jerusalem called "The Needle's Eye" in which merchants would go through after dark when the main gates were shut. The gate was more of a doorway, easy for a human being to go through, but requiring some effort for, say, a camel. The camel would have to unload all of its baggage first and enter crawling on its knees!

To enter the kingdom of God we too must "unload all of our baggage" (sins/worries/etc.) and enter "on our knees" (submission to God/humility, etc.)!

Again, these are just interpretations, but enlighten us of the lesson that is unmistakably clear - that the path to heaven is indeed a narrow one that will require much effort and sacrifice in the course of our entire lives for us to squeeze through.

The good news is that Jesus reminds us in the next verse: "What is impossible with men is possible with God." (Luke 18:27)


lybiC/mig.