The term "needle" is most notably referenced in the context of Jesus' teachings, specifically in the synoptic Gospels. The imagery of a needle is used to convey spiritual truths about wealth, salvation, and the kingdom of God.

Matthew 19:24 :
"Again I tell you, 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."

In this passage, Jesus addresses the challenges that wealth can pose to spiritual devotion and entry into the kingdom of God. The metaphor of a camel passing through the eye of a needle is a hyperbolic expression illustrating the difficulty for those who are attached to their riches to fully submit to God's will. This teaching follows the encounter with the rich young ruler, who struggles to part with his possessions in order to follow Christ.

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."

Mark's account mirrors that of Matthew, emphasizing the same spiritual principle. The repetition of this metaphor in multiple Gospels underscores its importance in Jesus' teachings. The disciples' astonishment at this statement reflects the cultural view of wealth as a sign of God's favor, challenging them to reconsider their understanding of righteousness and divine blessing.

Luke 18:25 :
"Indeed, 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."

Luke also records this teaching, maintaining the consistency of the message across the synoptic Gospels. The context in Luke highlights the broader theme of humility and dependence on God, contrasting the self-reliance often associated with wealth.

The "eye of a needle" has been the subject of various interpretations throughout Christian history. Some suggest it refers to a small gate in Jerusalem, while others maintain it is a literal needle, emphasizing the impossibility of the task without divine intervention. Regardless of the interpretation, the core message remains clear: reliance on wealth can hinder one's relationship with God, and true entry into His kingdom requires a heart fully surrendered to Him.

These passages collectively serve as a caution against the spiritual dangers of materialism and the false security it can provide. They call believers to examine their own attachments and to prioritize their relationship with God above all earthly possessions.Matthew 19:24
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 into the kingdom of God.
Nave's Topical Index

Mark 10:25
It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Nave's Topical Index

Luke 18:25
For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Nave's Topical Index

The Teacher with Authority
... way of life he pointed them to the scriptures (Mark 10 ... cover a wide range, and show
very general familiarity with ... for a camel to go through a needle's eye than ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/ii the teacher with authority.htm

The Book of Humanity
... truth which would be rejected by the general good sense ... to go through the eye of
a needle, than for ... The essentials about the Scriptures are their relations to ...
/.../mcconnell/understanding the scriptures/chapter iii the book of.htm

An Essay on the Scriptural Doctrine of Immortality.
... Commencing now, after the foregoing preliminaries, the general argument, I remark,
in ... to inquire both as to what the Scriptures say concerning death, and ...
/.../an essay on the scriptural.htm

Sin and Grace
... Surely it cannot be a needle." Yes it is, but you ... Now I must close with a few general
observations upon ... many more of whom we read in the Scriptures, were all ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 54 1908/sin and grace.htm

On God's vineyard
... spring from them, but from the Holy Scriptures; being "born ... Might I not have expected
a general increase of faith ... to go through the eye of a needle, than for a ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 107 on gods vineyard.htm

A Present Religion
... So saith the Scriptures, and this we must receive. ... he sends the sharp needle of
conviction, the needle of the ... the way to the residence of the general, about a ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/a present religion.htm

Second Sunday after Epiphany
... In general, they did not make such predictions. ... here urged that the saints of the
Scriptures not only ... herself by handling the spindle or the needle more deftly ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/second sunday after epiphany.htm

Christian Devotedness, Etc.
... Is there in the Holy Scriptures any limitation as to ... claims and relations to adjust,
that the general result will ... for a camel to go through a needle's eye than ...
/.../groves/christian devotedness/christian devotedness etc.htm

Faith and Regeneration
... the plainest piece of gospel in all the Scriptures: "And as ... into the world to save
sinners, under that general character I ... "I know it by the needle." How is ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/faith and regeneration.htm

The Care of the Soul Urged as the one Thing Needful
... one thing needful," represented indeed in various scriptures by various ... you see,
speaks of it as needful in the general. ... go through the eye of a needle," Mat.19 ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the care of the soul.htm

What is the difference between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about wealth? | GotQuestions.org

Did Jesus ever laugh? | GotQuestions.org

Needle: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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