Matthew 19:24

KJV

And again I say unto you, 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} again {G3825} I say {G3004} unto you {G5213}, It is {G2076} easier {G2123} for a camel {G2574} to go {G1330} through {G1223} the eye {G5169} of a needle {G4476}, than {G2228} for a rich man {G4145} to enter {G1525} into {G1519} the kingdom {G932} of God {G2316}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Furthermore, I tell you that it is easier for a camel to pass through a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God."

Berean Standard Bible

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.”

American Standard Version

And again I say unto 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jesus delivers a profoundly challenging and memorable metaphor, asserting that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. This striking hyperbole immediately follows the departure of a wealthy young man who was unwilling to relinquish his possessions to follow Christ, serving as a stark commentary on the spiritual perils of material wealth and the radical, humanly impossible demands of true discipleship, which can only be met through divine intervention.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a direct and impactful pronouncement by Jesus, immediately following His encounter with the rich young ruler in [Matthew 19:16-22](/matthew/19-16-22 "Matthew 19:16-22 - The Rich Young Ruler"). The ruler, having claimed to keep all the commandments, was challenged by Jesus to sell all his extensive possessions, give to the poor, and follow Him. His sorrowful departure, due to his great wealth, set the stage for Jesus's shocking statement. The disciples, astonished by this declaration, then ask, "[Who then can be saved?](/matthew/19-25 "Matthew 19:25 - Disciples' Astonishment")" Jesus's subsequent response in [Matthew 19:26](/matthew/19-26 "Matthew 19:26 - With God All Things Are Possible")—"With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible"—provides the crucial theological counterpoint, emphasizing that salvation is ultimately a work of divine grace, not human effort or material status.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Jewish society, wealth was often perceived as a sign of God's blessing and favor, a reward for righteousness. This perspective made Jesus's statement particularly counter-cultural and jarring to His disciples. They, like many of their contemporaries, likely assumed that the wealthy, being blessed by God, would have an easier path to the kingdom. Jesus's teaching directly challenged this widely held assumption, revealing that material abundance could, in fact, be a significant spiritual impediment. The imagery of a camel and a needle's eye was a common hyperbolic expression in the Near East, used to describe something utterly impossible. While some later traditions (lacking historical and archaeological support) suggested a narrow gate in Jerusalem called "the Needle's Eye," this interpretation significantly weakens the intended force of Jesus's hyperbole, which was to convey human impossibility, not mere difficulty.
* **Key Themes:** The primary themes illuminated by this verse include the **peril of riches**, particularly when wealth becomes an object of trust or an idol that competes with devotion to God. It highlights the inherent human tendency to rely on material security rather than divine provision, as seen in the rich young ruler's inability to forsake his possessions. Furthermore, the verse underscores the **radical demands of kingdom entry**, which necessitate a complete reordering of priorities, a detachment from worldly comforts, and an absolute surrender to God's will. Finally, it sets the stage for the theme of **divine possibility versus human impossibility**, powerfully conveying that entry into God's kingdom is not achievable through human effort or merit, but is solely a work of God's grace, making salvation accessible only through divine intervention, as Jesus clarifies in [Matthew 19:26](/matthew/19-26 "Matthew 19:26 - God's Omnipotence in Salvation").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **easier (Greek, _eukopṓteros'_):** This word is the comparative form of a compound meaning "better for toil" or "more facile." In this context, it emphasizes the relative ease of the camel's impossible feat compared to the rich man's entry into the kingdom. It underscores the profound difficulty, bordering on human impossibility, that wealth presents.
* **camel (Greek, _kámēlos'_):** This refers to the large, familiar pack animal of the Near East. Its immense size, in stark contrast to the tiny opening of a sewing needle, is crucial to the hyperbole. Jesus chose the largest animal known to His audience to maximize the impact of the imagery, making the comparison as absurd and impossible as possible.
* **needle (Greek, _rhaphís'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to sew" or "to puncture," this term specifically denotes a literal sewing needle. The "eye" (G5169, _trýpēma_) refers to the small hole through which thread passes. The combination of the massive camel and the minuscule needle's eye creates an image of absolute, undeniable impossibility, reinforcing the severity of Jesus's warning.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And again I say unto you":** This introductory phrase (using G1161 _dé_ and G3825 _pálin_) signals a renewed emphasis and a weighty pronouncement from Jesus, drawing the disciples' attention to a profound truth that builds upon the preceding interaction with the rich young ruler. It indicates that this teaching is not merely an aside but a central point of instruction.
* **"It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle":** This is the core of Jesus's hyperbolic statement. The comparison of the largest known animal attempting to pass through the smallest of apertures creates a vivid, almost comical, image of utter impossibility. The term "easier" (G2123, _eukopṓteros_) here serves to highlight the extreme difficulty of the second part of the comparison by framing the first part, though impossible, as comparatively less difficult.
* **"than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God":** This clause reveals the shocking truth Jesus intends to convey. "Rich man" (G4145, _ploúsios_) refers to one who possesses significant material wealth. "Enter into" (G1525, _eisérchomai_ and G1519, _eis_) signifies gaining access to or becoming a part of. The "kingdom of God" (G932, _basileía_ and G2316, _theós_) refers to God's sovereign reign, both present (spiritual rule in the hearts of believers) and future (the consummated eschatological kingdom). Jesus declares that the rich man's entry into this divine reign is even more challenging, humanly speaking, than the absurd image of the camel and needle.

#### Literary Devices
The most prominent literary device in [Matthew 19:24](/matthew/19-24 "Matthew 19:24 - The Camel and the Needle") is **Hyperbole**. Jesus uses intentional and extreme exaggeration—the image of a camel passing through the eye of a sewing needle—to emphasize the profound difficulty, indeed the human impossibility, for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. This vivid imagery is not meant to be taken literally as a physical possibility, but rather to shock the audience and underscore the radical nature of kingdom requirements. The absurdity of the image serves to highlight the spiritual truth that human effort, especially when entangled with the love of wealth, is utterly insufficient for salvation. The device also employs **Contrast**, juxtaposing the immense size of the camel with the minuscule opening of the needle, and by extension, the perceived power and security of wealth with the humble, dependent nature required for kingdom entry.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 19:24 profoundly challenges conventional human wisdom regarding wealth and salvation, asserting that material riches, far from being a guarantee of divine favor, can become a formidable spiritual obstacle. This verse underscores a fundamental theological truth: entry into God's kingdom is not based on human merit, status, or accumulation of possessions, but on radical surrender and divine grace. It exposes the idolatrous potential of wealth, where trust in riches supplants trust in God, and self-sufficiency replaces humble dependence. Jesus's statement serves as a stark reminder that the kingdom of God demands an unreserved commitment and a willingness to forsake all that hinders one's pursuit of Christ, revealing that true spiritual poverty, not material wealth, is the posture required for receiving God's unmerited favor.

* [Mark 10:25](/mark/10-25 "Mark 10:25 - Parallel Account of the Camel and Needle")
* [Luke 18:25](/luke/18-25 "Luke 18:25 - Parallel Account of the Camel and Needle")
* [1 Timothy 6:9-10](/1_timothy/6-9-10 "1 Timothy 6:9-10 - The Love of Money")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jesus's teaching in Matthew 19:24 remains profoundly relevant for believers today, prompting a critical examination of our relationship with material possessions and our ultimate allegiances. It challenges us to consider whether our financial security, career aspirations, or material comforts have subtly, or overtly, become idols that compete with our devotion to Christ. The verse does not condemn wealth itself, but rather the love of money and the trust placed in it, which can blind us to our spiritual need and hinder our full surrender to God. True discipleship calls for a radical detachment from the world's allurements, a willingness to prioritize the eternal over the temporary, and a deep recognition that our ultimate security and satisfaction are found only in God. This passage invites us to cultivate a spirit of generosity, stewardship, and humble dependence, recognizing that everything we possess is ultimately a gift from God to be used for His glory and the advancement of His kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might material possessions or the pursuit of wealth be hindering my spiritual growth or full surrender to God?**
* **Do I truly trust in God for my security and provision, or do I place my ultimate reliance on my financial resources?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater spirit of detachment from worldly comforts and a deeper commitment to the values of God's kingdom?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure that my possessions serve God's purposes rather than becoming an obstacle to my relationship with Him?**

### FAQ
**Does Jesus condemn all wealthy people or wealth itself in this verse?**

Answer: No, Jesus does not condemn all wealthy people or wealth itself. The thrust of His teaching in [Matthew 19:24](/matthew/19-24 "Matthew 19:24 - The Camel and the Needle") is against the *love of money* and the *trust* placed in riches, which can become an idol and an impediment to spiritual surrender. The rich young ruler, in the preceding verses, was unwilling to part with his possessions because his wealth held his heart. The issue is not the possession of wealth, but the spiritual posture towards it—whether one's heart is enslaved by it or free to follow Christ unreservedly. The Bible contains examples of wealthy individuals who were faithful followers of God, such as Abraham, Job, and Lydia (see [Acts 16:14-15](/acts/16-14-15 "Acts 16:14-15 - Lydia's Conversion")). The warning is against the spiritual danger that wealth often presents, making it "easier" for those who are poor in spirit to recognize their need for God.

**Is there historical evidence for a narrow gate in Jerusalem called "the Needle's Eye" that camels would struggle to pass through?**

Answer: While this theory has been popular in some circles, there is no credible historical or archaeological evidence to support the existence of a gate in Jerusalem, or anywhere else, known as "the Needle's Eye" through which camels would pass with difficulty. This interpretation attempts to soften the radical nature of Jesus's statement by suggesting it's merely difficult, not impossible. However, the consistent use of "camel through the eye of a needle" in ancient Near Eastern proverbial language was a well-understood hyperbole for something utterly impossible. Jesus's point was precisely to emphasize the human impossibility of salvation for those who cling to their wealth, thereby highlighting the absolute necessity of God's miraculous intervention, as He clarifies in [Matthew 19:26](/matthew/19-26 "Matthew 19:26 - With God All Things Are Possible").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The seemingly impossible scenario presented in [Matthew 19:24](/matthew/19-24 "Matthew 19:24 - The Camel and the Needle")—a camel passing through the eye of a needle—finds its profound fulfillment and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. What is impossible for humanity, especially for those entangled by the deceptive allure of wealth, becomes gloriously possible through Him. Jesus Himself, though "[He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Poverty for Our Riches"), that you through His poverty might be rich." He perfectly exemplified the radical detachment from worldly status and possessions, humbling Himself to the point of death on a cross (see [Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). His sacrifice on Calvary opened the way for all, rich or poor, to enter the kingdom of God, not through their own merit or ability to divest themselves of possessions, but solely through faith in His finished work. The "kingdom of God" is entered not by human striving but by God's grace, made available through Christ's perfect obedience and atoning death, offering salvation as a free gift to all who believe, as [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith") declares. Thus, the impossibility for the rich man is overcome by the all-sufficiency of Christ, who makes the impossible possible for all who trust in Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 5:44

How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that [cometh] from God only?

Matthew 19:26

But Jesus beheld [them], and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Luke 18:25

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.

Mark 10:24

And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!

Mark 10:25

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.

Jeremiah 13:23

Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? [then] may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.

Matthew 23:24

[Ye] blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.