Can a Camel go Through the Eye of a Needle?

This article will show that New Testament writers sourced information from the Old Testament. This empowered them to present instructive anecdotes. It is important to detail O.T. base types juxtaposed with N.T. antitypes. This enables a mirror image of the Old in the New. The eye-of-a-needle riddle is an example of an unsolved enigma. The form, a shadow, pointing to substance, must always be resolved.

In Matt. 19.24 we read, “…I say unto 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 heaven.” If I asked, “Why is this so?,” many off-the-cuff answers would be given. We can learn from Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Another tip from John 3:19 may help us understand, “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” Maybe a camel does not love darkness and has no evil deeds?

In the same vein we have numerous statements along the following lines “And behold, one came and said unto him (Jesus) Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” Matt. 19:16. “Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give it to the poor…and come and follow me.” Matt. 19:21.

We have not yet made much progress towards understanding, can a camel go through the eye of a needle. But we have been told, eternal life is not about good works of ritual and ceremony that I may have, but it is to give (to the poor). This advice has a multiple function. To give spiritually is paramount. This is achieved by the creative psyche. This psyche lives the compassionate Spirit, spiraling to sincerity, optimism and beneficence. Contributing to an innate resurrection, it associates both giver and recipient. This is peace. This is life - heaven. Contrastingly the rich man in principle is a “haver”. Note, the camel is still missing. However, the above parable does have a duality with a man seeking eternal life through good works and a camel with no pretence, no ambitions.

“The kingdom of God cometh not with observation,” or PARATERESIS = ocular evidence, not with outward show, ritual ceremony, piety. “The kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 1:20, 21. And we are told clearly that “Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Cor. 15:50.

The word “eye” from Greek TRUPEMA means an aperture, opening, hole. We are not considering the pathway of a thread. An aperture, opening or hole gives one clue as to why a camel may have no trouble of entry.

So far, an explanation to the subject in question has not sourced the original base. Only then will a converse duality appear.

Taken from Ezekiel chapter eight, Ezekiel writes, “…the hand of the Lord God fell there upon me (“there” refers to Ezeliel’s vision of Jerusalem while in Babylonian captivity), and the spirit lifted me up…and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem…He said, Son of man seest thou what they do? Even the great abomination that the house of Israel committeth here, that I should go from my sanctuary? but turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations. And he brought me to the door of the court; and when I looked, behold a hole in the wall.” This word “hole” from Hebrew is CHOR or CHUR and means a cavity, a hole, hollowed out place. It is equivalent to the Greek word TRUPEMA. Then said he unto me, Son of man, dig now in the wall: and when I had digged in the wall, behold a door. And he said unto me, Go in, and behold the wicked abominations that they do here. See Ezekiel 8:1-18 for a fuller picture of the base type.

Now if the rich man in Jesus’ day could look through this hole in the wall of Jerusalem, that became a door, and seeing such abominations, would he enter? He was seeking the kingdom of heaven by some outward show. So, no, he would not go through the door. He would not want to tarnish himself. He was carnally minded, he was dead. “The canal mind is enmity against God.” He could not be a “giver”. His idea of righteousness and his riches, he did not see as idols, gods or abominations. Having eyes to see he had no perception.

In an opposing manner, the camel, not bound by precepts and statutes, (“would not give a stuff”) would willing go through the “eye” without compunction. The camel represents the person who is non-judgmental. He would enter Jerusalem amongst those oblivious to the “holy.”

Without O.T. texts, as a base, there is no way whatsoever of understanding the meaning of a camel going through the eye of a needle.

The O.T. and N.T. are put together as the perfect body and soul. O.T. is written in form, in pattern, and is a shadow, ever pointing to substance found in the N.T. “You can’t have one without the other.” Ezekiel plainly shows this.


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