Camel through the Eye of a Needle? What Did Jesus Mean in Matt. 19:24?

When Jesus said, “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,” He meant exactly what he said. This striking image wasn’t meant to confuse but to challenge. To understand his words, we must look at the conversation with the rich young ruler in its full context and consider how it aligns with Jesus’ broader teaching on wealth, salvation, and dependence on God.

What Is the Context of “A Camel Through the Eye Of A Needle”?

The metaphor of a camel through the eye of a needle is found in Matthew 19:23-24 as well as parallel versions in Mark 10 and Luke 18:

Then Jesus said to His disciples, "Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, 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 19:23-24)

The context of this passage is connected to the previous verses in Matthew 19:16-22 where the rich young ruler comes to Jesus to ask what he had to do to receive eternal life. Jesus tells him he must keep the commandments, and he says he has kept them from his youth. Then, Jesus tells him that if he wants to be perfect, he must sell his goods, give them to the poor, and come follow Him. The man went away sad because he had many possessions. 

After Jesus tells them that it is as hard for a rich man to enter Heaven as it is for a camel to go through the eye of the needle, his disciples are astonished, so Jesus explains it to them:

"When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, 'Who then can be saved?' But Jesus looked at them and said to them, 'With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'" (Matthew 19:25-26)

So, what does this mean for rich people? Is it impossible for them to get into Heaven? When you look at Jesus' statement and consider his other teachings, the meaning becomes much clearer.

Why Did Jesus Use the Metaphor of a Camel through the Eye of a Needle?

Let’s start with the metaphor itself. There are two popular interpretations of the phrase “eye of the needle.” The first is that Jesus meant a literal sewing needle, as in trying to thread a camel through the eye of an actual needle. The second is that it is a reference to a gate by that name. In the gate theory, a rich person would have to get off their camel, take off all their possessions, and crawl on their knees through the gate. The first option means it is impossible for a rich man to get into Heaven. The second option says it is very difficult. We, of course, may wonder: which is it?

The Classic Theology website gives a thorough discussion of the history of the gate theory, including references to archaeology and research into the early church fathers’ documents. They could find no hard evidence to prove that any such gate existed. If it is not a gate, then it must mean a literal eye of a needle.

Jesus often spoke in metaphors, so it is not surprising that he uses one here. There is no way to get a camel through the eye of a needle. The disciples understood exactly what he was saying because their response was to question who then could be saved. Jesus’ answer was very clear: with man it is impossible, but with God all things are possible.

It is impossible for a rich man to get into Heaven on his own; he can only do it through the grace of God. It is impossible for any man, woman, or child to get into Heaven on their own merits. It is only possible because God made a way through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to reconcile sinful man with a holy God. So, why was he picking on the rich man in this passage?

What "A Camel through the Eye of a Needle" Says about Wealth and Salvation

Gill’s Exposition of these verses points out that followers of Jesus expected the Messiah to be an earthly king with great power and riches, but Jesus was taking this moment to remind them that they couldn’t serve God and mammon (riches, material wealth, money) because those who trusted in riches made it their god.

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on Matthew 19 states that Jesus was pointing this out to the disciples because they were poor, and he wanted them to reconcile the fact that having less in the world removed some of the hindrances to salvation. The way to Heaven is a narrow way with a strait gate, and the wealthy have many duties, expectations, and pleasures to distract them. They are also beset by great temptations, which are hard to avoid.

1 Peter 4:18 says, “if the righteous scarcely be saved,” so how then will a wealthy man who has set his heart upon riches be saved? 1John 2:15 and James 4:4 tell us that if any man loves the things of the world, then the love of God is not in them. Jesus wanted his disciples to stop admiring the advantages of the rich. Spiritually speaking, there were many advantages to being poor in a worldly sense because the poor more readily saw their need for God.

The scriptures repeatedly tell us that we cannot save ourselves. We cannot purchase salvation or earn it. It is impossible. There is no work we can do that will reconcile us to God. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast.” With man it is impossible, but with God all things are possible.

What Lesson Should Christians Today Take from Jesus’ Words?

Jesus' lesson for the disciples when he talks about a "camel through the eye of a needle" still has many lessons for Christians today, which include:

1. Salvation comes from God alone. Works or money will never give us salvation.
2. The rich can receive salvation, but they must trust God and not their riches.
3. Christians must guard themselves against the temptations that come with money and power.
4. Christians should not covet riches but be content with whatever state God has placed them because it may be rich in spiritual blessings that have eternal value.
5. Riches are temporal, but salvation is eternal, which is a price beyond measure, so we should be focused on building treasures in Heaven, not on earth.

Christians must always be on alert to discern when a teaching aligns with the Bible’s teaching. While I lean toward the argument that the gate theory is not true, there is something to be said for the concept. The rich man had to get off his high horse (or camel), bringing him down on even ground with everyone else. Then, he had to lay down all his worldly possessions, which could be a hindrance to salvation and cannot buy you salvation. Finally, he must kneel and recognize that he must accept Jesus as Lord of his life, which is the final step to eternal life. 

Wealth in and of itself is not evil, but it carries its own burdens and temptations. 

In light of this, it's also worth noting that by global standards, most Americans are considered rich. Even if we don’t feel wealthy, we often have access to comforts, resources, and choices that many around the world do not. This should lead us to greater humility, not pride—examining our hearts and asking whether we’re trusting in Christ or clinging to material security.

I think the following verses from Proverbs sum up the way that I would like to live:

"Give me neither poverty nor riches-- Feed me with the food allotted to me; Lest I be full and deny You, and say, "Who is the Lord?" Or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God. (Proverbs 3:8b-9)

The Apostle Paul also reminds us to learn to be content with whatever state we are in so that we can focus on building up treasures in Heaven, things of eternal value. It is impossible for a rich man to enter into Heaven when he trusts in his riches, but all things are possible with God when we put our trust in Him.

Image created using AI technology and subsequently edited and reviewed by our editorial team.

Linda Lyle is a writer, teacher, knitter, and unintentional collector of cats. She has written articles for the Alabama Baptist, Open Windows, Refresh, as well as multiple novels and novellas. Her newest book, 5-Minute Prayer Plan for When Life Is Overwhelming, is set to release in October. She spins yarns on her blog The End of My Yarn at lindalyle.com.