Lexical Summary trumalia: Eye (of a needle) Original Word: τρυμαλιά Strong's Exhaustive Concordance eye. From a derivative of truo (to wear away; akin to the base of trauma, tribos and trogo); an orifice, i.e. Needle's eye -- eye. Compare trupema. see GREEK trupema see GREEK trauma see GREEK tribos see GREEK trogo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom truó (to wear away) Definition a hole, eye (of a needle) NASB Translation eye (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5168: τρυμαλιάτρυμαλιά, τρυμαλιᾶς, ἡ (equivalent to τρυμα, or τρύμη, from τρύω to wear away, perforate), a hole (eye of a needle): Mark 10:25, and R G in Luke 18:25. (Judges 15:11; Jeremiah 13:4; Jeremiah 16:16; Sotades in Plutarch, mor., p. 11 a. (i. e., de educ. puer. § 14); Geoponica.) Topical Lexicon Word Picture and ImageryThe single New Testament appearance of τρύμαλια (trumalia) occurs in Mark 10:25, where Jesus contrasts the massive bulk of a camel with the minuscule “eye of a needle.” The image is intentionally jarring: the largest land animal familiar to His listeners is asked to pass through one of the smallest man-made openings of daily life. The point is impossibility, not difficulty. Biblical Usage Mark 10:25: “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.” The statement follows Jesus’ call to the wealthy ruler to divest himself of riches and “follow Me.” The disciples, who lived in a culture that often associated wealth with divine favor, are “astonished” (Mark 10:26). Jesus’ hyperbole shocks them into recognizing that reliance on earthly abundance can blind a person to utter dependence on God. The passage culminates in the comforting assurance, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God” (Mark 10:27). Cultural and Historical Context Needlework was commonplace in the ancient Mediterranean world, from tent-making to garment repair. A fisher’s net, a household cloak, or a priestly garment alike required thread to pass through the eye of a needle. The diminutive opening (narrow enough to be held between finger and thumb) furnishes a ready metaphor for impossibility. A popular theory claims that “eye of the needle” referred to a small after-hours gate in Jerusalem’s walls through which a kneeling camel might squeeze if its load were removed. No known gate of this name is documented in Second-Temple sources, and the explanatory purpose of Jesus’ hyperbole is undercut if the task, though difficult, were merely arduous rather than impossible. The earliest church fathers—Cyril of Alexandria, Chrysostom, and others—treat the picture as impossibility, reinforcing that interpretation. Theological Significance 1. Total Dependence on Grace The term crystallizes the core gospel conviction that no human merit—whether wealth, status, or moral striving—secures entry into the kingdom. Only God can bridge the unbridgeable gap. Thus, τρύμαλια illuminates the doctrine of sola gratia, salvation by grace alone. 2. The Danger of Riches Jesus does not condemn ownership per se; many faithful saints—from Abraham to Joseph of Arimathea—possessed resources. Yet possessions can lull the heart into self-sufficiency. The eye-of-the-needle saying exposes that danger with vivid clarity. 3. Discipleship Renunciation The incident sits within Mark’s larger discipleship narrative (Mark 8–10). Followers are summoned to deny self, take up the cross, and prioritize eternal treasure over temporal security (Mark 8:34–38; 10:21). τρύμαλια functions as a verbal scalpel, separating genuine surrender from half-hearted allegiance. Connection with Wider Biblical Teaching • Proverbs 11:28 warns, “He who trusts in his riches will fall.” The Markan use of τρύμαλια harmonizes with this consistent scriptural thread: wealth is a stewarded gift, not a saving refuge. Church History and Exposition Augustine employed the camel-through-a-needle image when refuting Pelagian confidence in human effort. Thomas Aquinas cited it while defending the necessity of divine grace. In the Reformation era, commentators such as Calvin highlighted the impossibility apart from the Spirit’s inward work. Modern evangelicals continue to preach this text to challenge materialism and to reassure believers of God’s power to save any sinner He draws. Pastoral and Missional Applications 1. Generous Stewardship The saying urges believers to hold possessions loosely and to invest in kingdom purposes—supporting missionaries, caring for the poor, funding gospel outreach (2 Corinthians 9:6–11). 2. Evangelism among the Affluent Ministries in prosperous contexts must reckon with the particular spiritual obstacles exposed by τρύμαλια. Prayerful dependence on God who alone makes the impossible possible remains essential. 3. Contentment and Simplicity Paul’s testimony, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances” (Philippians 4:11), resonates with Jesus’ call away from riches-anchored identity. τρύμαλια motivates practical choices toward simplicity. Homiletical Considerations Preaching Mark 10:25 invites vivid illustration: display an actual needle beside a camel photograph; invite reflection on personal “riches” (bank accounts, reputations, talents) that may hinder wholehearted trust. Yet sermons must not end in despair; verse 27 must ring out, celebrating divine possibility. Conclusion Strong’s Greek 5168, τρύμαλια, though appearing only once, captures a sweeping biblical truth: the gate into God’s kingdom is utterly inaccessible by human resources, yet gloriously opened by sovereign grace. The believer’s response is humble surrender, joyful generosity, and confidence that what is impossible with man is certain with God. Forms and Transliterations τετρυπημένον τρυμαλιά τρυμαλιάν τρυμαλιας τρυμαλιάς τρυμαλιᾶς τρυμαλιών τρυπήσει τρυπήσεις trumalias trymalias trymaliâsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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