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NASB | Mark 10:25 "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." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Mark 10:25 "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man [who places his faith in wealth or status] to enter the kingdom of God." |
Bible Question: In speaking of the "eye of a needle," what historical evidence is there (please give references) that Jesus was speaking of one of many supposed exits/entrances in the walls of Jerusalem used to help reduce the threat of invasion? I've heard explanations by some that these narrow "needle eyes" allowed immediate access to outside the city walls without having to travel to one of the large commercial/main gates, thus reducing the threat of invasion while still allowing freedom of personal movement. |
Bible Answer: 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. |