kymnjoro
Elder Lister
In the New Testament, Jesus says:
“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.”
— Matthew 19:24, also found in Mark 10:25 and Luke 18:25
• The “eye of a needle” refers to the tiny hole in a sewing needle.
• The “camel” is obviously far too large to fit through it.
• The metaphor emphasizes how difficult it is for someone who is wealthy to humble themselves, detach from material possessions, and enter into a righteous, God-centered life.
• In ancient Jerusalem, there was a small gate next to a main gate.
• When the main gate was closed at night, travelers could use this small gate.
• A camel could only pass through if it was unloaded and crouched down—a metaphor for humility and shedding material possessions.
• This small gate was supposedly called the “Eye of the Needle”.
The “Eye of the Needle” is a metaphor for an extremely difficult or impossible task, used by Jesus to warn about the spiritual dangers of wealth. It’s a vivid way of saying that worldly riches can block spiritual salvation if they become one’s focus.
Archaeological Discoveries
after excavations at the Vicinity of Alexander Nevsky Jerusalem in 1883
• Roman triumphal arch: A portion of Hadrian’s 2nd‑century arch (one of four in Jerusalem) uncovered at the entrance .
• Roman forum and Cardo: Remains of the 2nd-century forum and sections of the Roman Cardo Maximus, including a distinctive black-stone column from Constantine’s Holy Sepulchre basilica
• “Judgment Gate”: Massive wall remnants, that forms part of Jerusalem’s 1st-century boundary, including an opening of the Gate of Judgment where Jesus might have passed on the way to Calvary
• “Eye of the Needle”: A small hole near this gate, worn smooth over centuries, linked to the biblical metaphor—visitors can still pass through it
“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.”
— Matthew 19:24, also found in Mark 10:25 and Luke 18:25
• The “eye of a needle” refers to the tiny hole in a sewing needle.
• The “camel” is obviously far too large to fit through it.
• The metaphor emphasizes how difficult it is for someone who is wealthy to humble themselves, detach from material possessions, and enter into a righteous, God-centered life.
• In ancient Jerusalem, there was a small gate next to a main gate.
• When the main gate was closed at night, travelers could use this small gate.
• A camel could only pass through if it was unloaded and crouched down—a metaphor for humility and shedding material possessions.
• This small gate was supposedly called the “Eye of the Needle”.
The “Eye of the Needle” is a metaphor for an extremely difficult or impossible task, used by Jesus to warn about the spiritual dangers of wealth. It’s a vivid way of saying that worldly riches can block spiritual salvation if they become one’s focus.
Archaeological Discoveries
after excavations at the Vicinity of Alexander Nevsky Jerusalem in 1883
• Roman triumphal arch: A portion of Hadrian’s 2nd‑century arch (one of four in Jerusalem) uncovered at the entrance .
• Roman forum and Cardo: Remains of the 2nd-century forum and sections of the Roman Cardo Maximus, including a distinctive black-stone column from Constantine’s Holy Sepulchre basilica
• “Judgment Gate”: Massive wall remnants, that forms part of Jerusalem’s 1st-century boundary, including an opening of the Gate of Judgment where Jesus might have passed on the way to Calvary
• “Eye of the Needle”: A small hole near this gate, worn smooth over centuries, linked to the biblical metaphor—visitors can still pass through it
