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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.
Luke 18:25
Last week, I quoted from an article on a website, "Hebrew New Testament Studies." The author made this statement: "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."
This type of ignorance shows why we must try to preserve the historical context and setting of Scripture. We should try to understand the Bible in the economy and lifestyle in which it was written if we want to properly apply it in our lives today.
The Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary makes this statement in the preface. "The historical and cultural backgrounds are alien to those of the modern day, and presuppose knowledge that is not easily attainable."
The architect didn't make a mistake when he planned those small, narrow doors. They were made that way for a reason and a purpose. The Bible Dictionary goes on to explain. "Being the weakest point in a city's walls, the gates were frequently the object of a foe’s attack, and therefore flanked by towers. If you look up "animals" in the same dictionary, it says that "oriental cities had small gates called Needle's Eyes, for admitting late travelers, after the main gates were closed."
A passage of Scripture that sheds light on the Needle's Eye (Mark 10:25) is Luke 13:24. Jesus said, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and not be able." Within this verse, we find that people will try to enter the kingdom of God but will not be able (like the rich young ruler). It is a narrow gate and difficult to enter (like the Needle's eye). Because it is narrow, people must strive, work, exert themselves physically, and labor to enter the kingdom. The accountability and responsibility of man is taught just as it is in Mark 10:13-31 (hard for the rich man, easier for the camel).
Another thing we should notice about the concept of a small door within a gate is the fact that the Bible confirms this truth. When Peter was kept in prison for preaching the gospel, prayers were being offered on his behalf.
When Peter was released from prison, he went to Mary's house (Acts 12:12). He then knocked at the door of the gate to gain entrance. The picture here is that there was a door within the gate, so that the big gate did not need to be opened every time a person wanted to go in and out, somewhat similar to the needle's eye. Even today in America, there are iron gates with doors (gates) in them.
The account of the camel and the needle's eye is found in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The words "go through" are found in all three gospels. If you look up the word "go" in Matthew 19:24, Mark 10:25, and Luke 18:25 in the Greek Lexicon, they are all listed under #1525. The word "go" in Mark 10:25 is also listed under #1330 in the concordance.
Now, why is this important? Because all three words (in the original Greek language) can have the meaning: to enter into a place through something such as a palace, house, city, or even the kingdom of God. You cannot enter into a sewing needle; you can only go through it.
Another point of reference to support the Needle's Eye as a gate is the Bible dictionary I have been quoting from, The Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary. It mentions the specific gate under the subject animals (page 41). It also gives a description of the door and a picture of the gate under the subject Needle's Eye (page 578).
The Zondervan Pictorial Bible Dictionary had 17 printings from 1963 to 1975. That would cause me to think there are probably at least twenty thousand copies in public use that teach and support the concept of the Needle's Eye as a gate or door.
This leads us to another question: where did they get their information and pictures? Was it from people who could be trusted, or just those who wanted to tell a good story and make a dollar off of it? Next week, we will dig deeper into the history of the Needle's Eye.
Contact the author at thoughtsonword@gmail.com if you have any comments or questions.
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Lyndon Stimeling, of Richfield, has been writing about faith and family for many years. He has self-published four books, Common Thoughts on The Word in 2016, Eye of a Needle in 2017, Common Thoughts on The Word II in 2019 and A Bridge Between in 2023. He has also had articles published in The Coming Home Journal and local newspapers and has written a children's book.