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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | What is the "eye of the needle"? | Mark 10:25 | kndyah | 6576 | ||
This line of conversation is a natural desire to understand Jesus' teachings. We, westerners, like to think that the small "escape" entrances in the Jerusalem, and other cities walls of the time, were what Jesus was talking about. He may have been, but we do not have any scriptural or popular testimony that this was so, not even Josephesus brings this up. However, there is some evidence in Apocraphal writings that Jesus was talking about a literal needle's eye. I am sorry I do not have a copy of the Apocraphal writings so I cannot give you a concrete reference. The story is that Peter was preaching and a rival preacher made a wager that Peter was wrong, but if Peter could make a Camel go through the eye of a needle then he would believe. The rival preacher then thought he would take out some theological insurance by placing a prostitute on the Camel and hung two sides of Bacon on the Camel as well. The Camel approached the needle and shrank down in size, including the Bacon and the Prostitute and easily walked through the eye of the needle. In another place another Aprochraphal writer thought that Jesus' story about the Camel was a little improbable so he wrote that it was a rope that would go through the eye of the needle easier than for a rich preson to enter heaven. |
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2 | What is the "eye of the needle"? | Mark 10:25 | Morant61 | 6579 | ||
The quote your refer to is found in the "Acts of Peter and Andrew." Here is the text: 13 There was a rich man named Onesiphorus who said: If I believe, shall I be able to do wonders? Andrew said: Yes, if you forsake your wife and all your possessions. He was angry and put his garment about Andrew's neck and began to beat him, saying: You are a wizard, why should I do so? 14 Peter saw it and told him to leave off. He said: I see you are wiser than he. What do you say? Peter said: I tell you this: it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. Onesiphorus was yet more angry and took his garment off Andrew's neck and cast it on Peter's and haled him along, saying: You are worse than the other. If you show me this sign, I and the whole city will believe but if not you shall be punished. 15 Peter was troubled and stood and prayed: Lord, help us at this hour, for thou hast entrapped us by thy words. 16 The Saviour appeared in the form of a boy of twelve years, wearing a linen garment 'smooth within and without', and said; Fear not: let the needle and the camel be brought. There was a huckster in the town who had been converted by Philip; and he heard of it, and looked for a needle with a large eye, but Peter said: Nothing is impossible with God rather bring a needle with a small eye. 17 When it was brought, Peter saw a camel coming and stuck the needle in the ground and cried: In the name of Jesus Christ crucified under Pontius Pilate I command thee, camel, to go through the eye of the needle. The eye opened like a gate and the camel passed through; and yet again, at Peter's bidding. 18 Onesiphorus said: You are a great sorcerer: but I shall not believe unless I may send for a needle and a camel. And he said secretly to a servant: Bring a camel and a needle, and find a defiled woman and some swine's flesh and bring them too. And Peter heard it in the spirit and said: O slow to believe, bring your camel and woman and needle and flesh. 19 When they were brought Peter stuck the needle in the ground, with the flesh, the woman was on the camel. He commanded it as before, and the camel went through, and back again. 20 Onesiphorus cried out, convinced and said: Listen. I have lands and vinevards and 27 litrae of gold and 50 of silver, and many slaves: I will give my goods to the poor and free my slaves if I may do a wonders like you. Peter said: If you believe, you shall. 21 Yet he was afraid he might not be able, because he was not baptized, but a voice came: Let him do what he will. So Onesiphorus stood before the needle and camel and commanded it to go through and it went as far as the neck and stopped. And he asked why. 'Because you are not yet baptized.' He was content, and the apostles went to his house, and 1,000 souls were baptized that night. 22 Next day the woman that was hung in the air said: Alas that I am not worthy to believe like the rest! I will give all my goods to the poor and my house for a monastery of virgins. Peter heard it and went out to her and at his word she was let down unhurt, and gave him for the poor 4 litrae of gold and much raiment and her house for a monastery of virgins. 23 And the apostles consecrated a church and ordained clergy and committed the people to God. Side Note: You can tell from the quality of story why the Apocraphal writings were never accepted as cannonical. Blessings, Tim Moran |
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